Registration FAQs

Where do I go to register my car for the first time?

In most cases you will end up going to a full-service MVA office. But that is not your only option. You can also opt to take care of the matter at any authorized title service agent.

I just moved from Washington, D.C., to Silver Springs. Do I need to switch my registration?

Yes. If you move into Maryland from any other state or the District of Columbia you have 60 days to transfer over your registration.

I am moving to Virginia. Can I keep my Maryland license plates?

No, but you may have a good incentive to mail the plates back to an MVA office. If you still have more than a year left on your current registration when you make the move, you are qualified for a refund of your monies. Simply fill out the Application for Registration Plate Refund form and mail it with the plates to:

• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

• Attn: Tag Return

• 6601 Ritchie Highway

• Glen Burnie, MD 21062

Where do I go to get one of those new Chesapeake Bay license plates?

At any time you can trade your standard-issue plates in for either of Maryland's commemorative plates. There are two varieties: a scenic Chesapeake Bay setting etched into metal or a salute to the state's agricultural heritage with a rural montage painted onto a license plate.

Both plates are available online and at any full-service MVA office for a one-time fee.

I drive a golf cart around my neighborhood. Do I need to register it?

No. Although most low-speed vehicles do need to be registered with the state, a golf cart is one of the few exemptions.

How do I get a blue handicap placard?

If you meet the eligibility requirements set by the state of Maryland, obtaining a disabled placard and/or set of plates is very easy. See our Drivers With Disabilities page to review the step-by-step process to apply for your placard.

The license plates on my car have been swiped. What do I do?

If you find that someone seems to have needed your license plates more than you and stole them, you will need to quickly report the theft to the police. Once you get the police report, you need to complete an Application for Substitute Plates at a full-service MVA office or mail it to:

• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

• Attn. Registration Renewal Section

• 6601 Ritchie Highway

• Glen Burnie, MD 21062

There is a $20 fee for the replacement plates.

What if I do not receive my renewal registration?

If for some reason you do not receive your new registration and decals after renewing online or through the mail, call the MVA immediately at (800) 950-1682 for instructions.

How do I get a duplicate registration or decals?

In Maryland, if you misplace or lose your registration certificate, getting a replacement is as simple as going online and charging $5 to your credit card.

If you've lost the decals, however, you can't order duplicates online. Instead, you'll need to complete an Application for Substitute Decals and submit it along with a $5 fee (for a year sticker) or no fee (for a month sticker) in person to an MVA office. You can also mail your application and fee, if applicable, to:

• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

• 6601 Ritchie Highway

• Attn. Registration Renewal Section

• Glen Burnie, MD 21062

How do I get a duplicate title?

If you have lost or misplaced your vehicle title, you can order a duplicate online for $20.

I need to register my new speedboat. Do I go through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)?

To register the trailer that carries the boat: yes. To register the actual boat: no. That is registered through the Department of Natural Resources. Find complete details at Boat Registration on this site.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

Does the MVA offer any sort of special registration for nonoperational vehicles?

No, the MVA does not have a registration specifically for nonoperable vehicles.

Where can I find more information?

Find more answers to registration questions at Registration & Titling,
Car Registration, Motorcycle Registration, Title Transfers,
Boat Registration,
RV & Motorhome Registration, Custom-built Car Registration, Smog & Emission Checks, and License Plates & Placards.