Motor Vehicle Registration: If you are a military member and your
vehicle is registered in your home state of residence, in your name alone or
jointly with your spouse, Maryland does not require re-registration (Maryland
plates). If it is registered in the state where you where last stationed, and
that state is not your home state of residence, you must either register in
Maryland or your home state of residence within 30 days after arrival. Failure
to do so can result in a fine and possible impoundment of your
vehicle.
Maryland does not recognize vehicle registration ("plates") from
foreign countries or military overseas (such as "Armed Forces Europe"), and
requires you to immediately re-register the vehicle in your home state or
Maryland.
To title and register your presently-owned vehicle in Maryland,
you must bring or mail the following information to an MVA full service
office:
An application for a Maryland title (MVA Form VR-5).
The
out-of-state title as proof of ownership. (Altered titles will not be accepted.)
If your out-of-state title is being held by a bank or lending institution,
contact the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) toll-free at 1-800-950-1682 or
visit a full service office. Ask for a letter (MVA Form VR56) for you to send to
your lien holder, requesting that your title be sent to the MVA. Follow the
instructions on the letter and send it to your lien holder. When the MVA
receives the title document(s), they will notify you by letter or telephone and
you can then complete your transaction.
A Maryland Safety Inspection
Certificate issued by a licensed Maryland inspection station within the 90 days
prior to titling your vehicle.
Proof of the required Maryland-recognized
liability insurance coverage, to include the policy or binder number, the
company's name and the agent's name. The insurance company must be licensed to
do business in Maryland. Your vehicle must be covered by an automobile insurance
policy which provides the minimum Maryland limits of $20,000/$40,000 covering
bodily injury and $15,000 covering property damage and includes uninsured
motorist coverage in like amounts. The policy must also include $2,500 in
economic loss coverage. (Economic loss coverage can be waived through your
insurance company and is not required on motorcycles.)
Titling and
Registration Fees: The fees involved in titling and registering a vehicle
are:
An excise tax which is a 5% tax based on the current retail value of
your vehicle. An Excise Titling Tax Credit is applied, if you have not been a
Maryland resident for more than 30 days and have paid a sales or excise tax in
another state of less than 5%. The tax imposed is the difference between the tax
already paid and Maryland's 5%. The minimum excise tax imposed shall be $100.00.
A $15 titling fee.
A $20 lien recording fee, if applicable.
A
2-year registration fee. The fee and year of expiration are based on the type
and weight of your vehicle.
Maryland Driver's License: Members of the
Armed Forces who are serving on active duty, and their dependents are not
required to obtain a Maryland driver's license if 1) the driver has a license
issued by the driver's state of domicile; and 2) the license authorized the
driver to drive in the state of domicile, vehicles of the class the licensee is
driving in Maryland. However, military members and their dependents may not
drive a commercial motor vehicle. Maryland does not recognize driver's licenses
issued by the Armed Forces in foreign countries. You have 30 days
after returning to the U.S. to get a valid license from your home state or
Maryland. To obtain a Maryland license you must:
Go to a full service MVA
Branch Office;
Present an original or certified copy of your birth
certificate issued by the Office of Vital Statistics, Foreign Passport or
Immigration Document. If your birth name has been changed by marriage, divorce,
or court order, furnish the original documentation of change and two proofs of
residence;
Turn in your out-of-state driver's license;
Pass a vision
screening. (MVA may also require a written and/or skill test);
Present a
primary source of identification; and
Pay the appropriate
fee.
There are several part-time DMVs in our area and one full-time one
plus several businesses outside the gate that offer tag/title
services. There is also a Mobile DMV that is just outside the gate on
the last Thursday and Friday of the month. See Contacts/Links.