The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is pushing back against growing confusion surrounding its upcoming out-of-state registration enforcement campaign, emphasizing that October 1 does not create a new law making out-of-state tags illegal.
In a social media post, the agency wrote, “Maryland law already requires new residents to register their vehicles in Maryland within 60 days of moving here. That law isn’t changing.” Instead, beginning October 1, Maryland will begin enhanced enforcement of existing registration laws and implement new civil penalties for Maryland residents who continue to improperly register their vehicles out of state.
Owners of vehicles with out-of-state registrations that are believed to belong to Maryland residents will first receive a written notice giving them 60 days to properly register their vehicle in Maryland or apply for a qualifying exemption. If they remain out of compliance after that period, they may be fined $7 per day for up to 60 days. After 120 days, the state may pursue additional civil enforcement actions, including towing, impoundment, or booting the vehicle.
The MVA has been encouraging residents to “Plate Where You Live” as part of its awareness campaign. The agency says the October 1 date marks the start of the enhanced enforcement process, not the creation of a new registration requirement.
The renewed focus follows years of concerns over Maryland residents registering vehicles in other states, particularly Virginia, to avoid higher registration fees or insurance requirements. According to the MVA, tens of thousands of Maryland residents have already received notices regarding improperly registered vehicles, and the agency has previously estimated that improper out-of-state registrations cost the state millions of dollars in lost revenue each year.
