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Maryland License PlatesMaryland license plates are aluminum number plates issued to registered vehicles in the state. The plates serve as a means to distinguish one vehicle from another. Maryland license plates are issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) department of the state's Department of Transportation. The MVA issues the following types of license plates:
Per Maryland vehicle law, vehicles in the state are required to display both a front and back permanent legible license plate. Only vehicles registered as motorcycles (class D), tractors (class F), trailers (class G), historic over 50 years old (class L), and street rods over 50 years old (class N) may display a single plate. Per Md. Code, Transp. § 13-411, on a vehicle for which one registration plate is required, the license plate must be attached to the following:
Maryland License Plate Design and FormatsMaryland's general license plate has an embossed black serial on a reflective white plate design. The state's flag is screened in the bottom half, and the word "Maryland" is screened in red italics font centered at the top. Maryland's other license plate types follow different designs.
Examples of Maryland's license plates are shown below:
Special license, special interest license, and decal plates:
* Source: Maryland Department of Transportation
Maryland Vanity License PlateVanity plates are personalized license plates with special messages, as decided by the customer and approved by the Maryland DOT, printed on them. Depending on the vehicle type, you may request a message between 2 and 7 characters (numbers and letters). Note that the Motor Vehicle Administration unit of the DOT reserves the right to decline a requesting character combination because it has already been issued or if it is objectionable.
You can apply for a vanity registration plate through the MVA website or in person at any full-service branch office of the MVA. Alternatively, you can mail your application to the MVA's Specialty Tag Unit in the Glen Burnie office or visit an MVA-licensed tag and title service, where you must complete an application.
An application for a vanity license plate requires:
Note that it may take up to 6 weeks for you to receive the license plates. Vehicles in the following classes are allowed to display personalized message license plates:
The MVA issues Classes G, L, and N personalized plates on a black and white background. For more information about already placed vanity plate orders, you can email the Motor Vehicle Administration at mvapersonalizedtag@mdot.maryland.gov.
Most Popular Maryland Special Plate NumbersSome special license-type themes in Maryland include:
Maryland License Plate LookupA Maryland license plate lookup is a search allowing an individual to access critical information about a vehicle by inputting the plate number into a specialized search system.
In Maryland, paid and free services are available for conducting license plate lookups. While free services may provide basic vehicle information, a more comprehensive search result can be obtained through paid services, making them a better option for those seeking more detailed information.
Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offices offer a reliable and accurate option for those who prefer to conduct their license plate lookup through official channels. The process is straightforward, and no special steps are required of individuals seeking to run license plate lookups through the MVA. However, online services such as RecordsFinder provide basic information about a vehicle without the user leaving the comfort of their home. With RecordsFinder, a Maryland license plate lookup can help find information such as:
A reverse license plate lookup can help you find information about a vehicle. This kind of search may be conducted by law enforcement to obtain information about a vehicle or its driver. Note that driver information is protected under Maryland and United States laws, meaning personal information about the driver of a vehicle will not be accessible to the public.
The federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) of 1994 is the primary law for maintaining personal information related to motor vehicle records in the United States. Under the DPPA, a state department of motor vehicles, any office, employee, or contractor of the department must not knowingly disclose or make available to any person or entity personal information except for permissible uses. Also, per Maryland MVA rules, every driving and motor vehicle record in the state is closed unless the owner requests, in writing, that their records be open to the public. The Maryland MVA categorizes the following as personal information:
The state categorizes the following as public information:
Hence, the information listed above may be found in public records with a reverse license plate number search. You can use RecordsFinder to conduct a reverse license plate search to obtain publicly accessible information about a vehicle.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Maryland?You will be issued a Maryland license plate after completing the titling and registration of your vehicle. In order to complete the titling process, you can apply in person at an MVA's full-service branch office or mail the required documents to the MVA's Out-of-State Title Unit located at 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie. Alternatively, you can visit an MVA licensed tag and title service where an MVA officer can assist you in applying.
The following documents are required to obtain a title for your vehicle:
Under some circumstances, additional information and forms may be needed:
You can streamline your MDOT MVA visit by starting your vehicle titling and registration process online on the myMVA portal, adding vehicle owner information and insurance information, and getting an estimate of fees. Subsequently, you may print your confirmation with a barcode and bring it to the MVA office to reduce transaction time.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in MarylandPer Section 16-803 of Title 16 of the 2022 Maryland Statutes, a Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as a vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in transporting passengers or property if the vehicle meets at least one of these conditions:
Here are the key differences between passenger and commercial license plates in Maryland:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Use | Personal | For hire, profit, or compensation |
| Requirements for obtaining |
|
Same as passenger license plates, but there may be little differences depending on the specific license plate requested |
How to Renew License Plate in MarylandTo renew your license plate, you must renew your vehicle registration. Marylanders register most of their vehicles for 2 years at a time. You can renew your vehicle registration through myMVA, mail, county treasurer's offices, and title service agents' locations.
You can also renew your vehicle registration by telephone at 1-410-768-7000. This option is also not valid if your name, insurance, address, and vehicle information printed on the registration renewal notice has not changed
Checks or money orders enclosed with your renewal notice must be made payable to MVA in the envelope provided. Cash is not accepted. The check must include a preprinted name and address. Your driver's license number and home or work phone number must be written on the check
How to Transfer a License Plate in MarylandMaryland allows vehicle owners to transfer license plates from old to new vehicles. In specific situations, you may be eligible to transfer your license plates from an old vehicle to a new one. If a transfer is possible, you might incur a lower fee than purchasing new plates. Additionally, license plates can be transferred among immediate family members (spouse, parents, child) if the vehicle to which they are issued is given as a gift.
Registration plates acquired by an individual for any vehicle owned by that individual can be transferred to a newly acquired vehicle if:
It is important to note that substitute registration plates can be issued for plates displayed on a stolen vehicle that has not been recovered as long as the MVA has a record of the stolen vehicle. These substitute plates can then be transferred to the newly acquired vehicle.
If the mentioned three conditions are not met, individuals with standard plates, disability plates, organizational plates, agricultural plates, or vanity plates may have the option to repurchase them for use on the new vehicle, subject to the new vehicle's class.
To transfer a license plate, mail the following documents to the MVA's Mail in Registration Unit at the Glen Burnie office:
Alternatively, you may visit an MVA-licensed tag and title service to complete a license plate transfer application. You will be charged a service fee if you choose to visit the tag and title office. For more information on transferring license plates in Maryland, see the license plate transfer page of the MVA website or contact:
Motor Vehicle Administration
Maryland License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Finding the owner of a license plate may be impossible unless you have a valid reason pursuant to state and federal law to obtain sensitive information related to an individual's motor vehicle records.
According to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), the disclosure of personal information derived from an individual's motor vehicle records to anyone other than that individual is prohibited except in cases such as when a federal or state agency is carrying out its functions in connection with matters of automobile and driver safety. Maryland has adopted this law and does not make motor vehicle records accessible to the public except in permitted cases.
While vehicle ownership information may be inaccessible, you can access non-personal information about more than 269 million registered vehicles throughout the USA using RecordsFinder. This can be done using either the vehicle's license plate number or VIN.
You can request a substitute license plate in Maryland in either of the following circumstances:
You can apply for a substitute license plate online via the myMVA portal or in person at any of MVA's full-service branch offices. Alternatively, you can mail the required documents to the MVA's Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office or visit an MVA license tag and title service. Typically, the following items are required to obtain a substitute license plate:
If you are the vehicle's owner, you may be required to present your driver's license or another form of photo identification. If you are not the owner of the vehicle, it is necessary to provide a photocopy of the vehicle owner's driver's license and a power of attorney (a note signed by the owner indicating your authorization to obtain the substitute license plates).
Running a license plate entails entering the license plate number into a system to verify vehicle registration, ascertain the appropriate car type for the plate, and confirm the validity of the vehicle's registration. Police do not require justification to carry out this check, as there is no expectation of privacy associated with your license plate number. Police often run license plates for various common reasons, such as:
Yes, you can search license plates for free in Maryland. A service like RecordsFinder can help you perform a quick free license plate search if you know the license plate number of a vehicle. A license plate search can be useful when you want to review a vehicle's history or verify if a vehicle's VIN has not been cloned.
When you use RecordsFinder to conduct a free license plate search, you can find information such as:
In Maryland, certain traffic offenses are considered particularly severe. Among the most serious is driving with expired vehicle registration or license plates. Drivers who operate their vehicles with expired license plates may face significant consequences, including criminal misdemeanor charges and substantial penalties.
Unlike other traffic violations, driving with expired license plates does not result in points being assessed against the driver's license. However, individuals found guilty of driving with expired registration or license plates may be fined up to $500. Additionally, they may face other potential restrictions on their driver's license.
If the individual is also found to lack insurance coverage for their vehicle, they may face further penalties, including fines of up to $1,000, points added to their license, and up to one year of incarceration. Furthermore, their driver's license may be suspended or even revoked.
Maryland law mandates the return of license plates to the Maryland MVA in the event of vehicle insurance cancellation, relocation out of Maryland, or when you no longer need the plates.
License plates can be returned through the following methods:
For more information on returning license plates in Maryland, see the license plate return page of the MVA website.
No, you must return your Maryland license plate when moving out of the state. To return your license plate, you may deliver it in person at any MVA branch office or authorized tag and title service location. Also, you may mail them to the Glen Burnie MVA office.
Maryland license plates are 12 inches (width) by 6 inches (height).
The Maryland MVA issues 30-day temporary registration plates to individuals needing registration plates to obtain a vehicle safety inspection. Note that only one 30-day temporary registration may be issued. To get this temporary registration or license plate, you must pay a $20 fee and complete the VR-129 form for submission to:
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.In some instances, the Maryland MVA issues 60-day temporary plates for display on vehicles meeting Maryland's safety inspection requirements. 60-day temporary plates are issued only by Maryland dealers required by law to have all their vehicles safety inspected before sale.
To renew your license plate in Maryland, you must renew your vehicle registration by using any of the options below:
Note that you may need the information on your renewal notice, vehicle title, license plate numbers, and payment for the applicable fee to complete the renewal process.
Per Section 13-415 of Title 13 of the 2010 Maryland Code, in the event of a license plate theft, you must inform the police and obtain a police report within 48 hours of the loss or theft. Subsequently: