Register a vehicle in Maryland

By · checked

Title and register a vehicle in Maryland: the MVA's documents, safety inspection, the 60-day rule for new residents and the fees it lists.

Your situation

How did you get the vehicle?
Online or in person
No, in person or by mailPrivate sellers do not submit title paperwork; you apply in person at an MVA branch or by mail. Visiting a branch lets staff review your documents; mail may take longer to process.
Cost
Title $200, titling tax 6.5%New/Used title certificate $200. Titling tax, all vehicles: 6.5% of fair market value, minimum tax $41.60. Registration depends on vehicle type and weight and registration period: for example Class A passenger car, shipping weight 3,500 lbs or less, $120.50 for one year at titling. See the MVA fee page for the full table.
You leave with
Plates, registration card and stickersPlates are issued at the time of service or mailed to you; the Maryland title is mailed after the application is approved.

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents
      • Completed Certificate of Title - Application (VR-005)
      • Properly assigned original title (Any liens listed on the title must be released.)
      • Proof of purchase price, and a bill of sale if applicable
      • Odometer disclosure agreement, if applicable
      • Maryland Dealer Reassignment Form, if applicable
      • Valid identification
      • Lien release, if a lien was listed on the title

  2. Get a Maryland safety inspection

    Go to a station licensed by the Maryland State Police. The station sets its own inspection fee. If you cannot register the vehicle until it passes, you may qualify for a 30-day temporary registration ($50).

    Safety inspections on mva.maryland.gov ↗

  3. Submit your title application

    Private sale: you are responsible for titling. Submit the application and documents in person at an MVA branch or by mail, and pay the taxes and fees. In many cases you title and register at the same time.

    Private party purchase on mva.maryland.gov ↗

  4. Keep your registration in the vehicle

    Keep your registration card in the vehicle at all times and display plates and stickers as instructed. Emissions (VEIP) testing is not done at the time of safety inspection; new residents get a VEIP notice about three months after registering.

    Register a vehicle on mva.maryland.gov ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • New residents must title and register within 60 days of moving to Maryland; missing it disqualifies you from a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state and you may be cited for an out-of-state registration.
  • If the seller's title is missing, altered or incomplete, or a lien has not been released, the MVA may not be able to process your application.
  • Do not change or alter official documents; errors or missing information may delay processing.

Offices that register vehicles

Register while titling, or in person at a full-service MVA branch office. Dealers handle the title application for vehicles bought in Maryland. Agency source.

24 offices where you can register a vehicleSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Baltimore (1) · Silver Spring (2)

Results show offices where you can register a vehicle or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

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Sources · checked October 30, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.