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Registering an out-of-state car in Maryland

New Maryland residents must title and register within 60 days of moving. A safety inspection certificate is required first, unless the car was previously titled in Maryland in your name. A VEIP notice comes about three months after you register. Maryland insurance and excise tax, with a credit tied to the 60-day deadline, are part of the same transaction.

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Key facts

Registration deadline
Title and register within 60 days of moving to Maryland. Missing the deadline disqualifies the credit for titling tax paid in another state
Source: mva.maryland.gov
Inspections required
A Maryland safety inspection certificate is required to title and register, done at an authorized station. VEIP emissions testing comes later, by notice about three months after registration
Source: mva.maryland.gov
Tax rule
Excise tax depends on how long you have been in Maryland and the vehicle's age. Inside 60 days, a vehicle 6 model years or newer is taxed at the difference between the old state's rate and 6.5 percent, or $100 if the old rate was 6.5 percent or higher
Source: mva.maryland.gov
Insurance minimum
$30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage, even if the vehicle is not being driven
Source: mva.maryland.gov

As of unpublished. Source: The state agency page linked in the sources.

You must update the vehicle's title and registration within 60 days of moving to Maryland. The Motor Vehicle Administration says missing that deadline disqualifies you from a tax credit for titling tax paid in another state, and you may be cited for an out-of-state registration. A valid Maryland safety inspection certificate is required before the title appointment, unless you are returning with a vehicle previously titled in Maryland in your name. Emissions testing is a later step. Maryland insurance information is required at the appointment.

What do I do, in order?

  1. Make a title and registration appointment. The MVA says you will complete a pre-application that shows what to bring. You can add owners and insurance information online and get a fee estimate before the visit.
  2. Get a Maryland safety inspection at an authorized Maryland inspection station. You need a valid safety inspection certificate to title and register, unless the car was previously titled in Maryland in your name.
  3. Gather the documents below, including Maryland insurance information.
  4. Go to the appointment with a check or money order for the fees. The MVA points to the fees and payment page for current titling and registration fees rather than printing a single plate price on the new-resident page.
  5. Expect a VEIP emissions notice about three months after you register. The new-resident page says emissions testing is not done at the safety inspection.

If you are only visiting and you plan to keep an out-of-state vehicle in Maryland for 60 days or longer, the same page says you may need a non-resident permit. That is a different transaction from becoming a resident.

What documents do I bring?

The new-resident title page lists:

  • A valid Maryland driver's license, or proof of a valid Maryland residential address.
  • The out-of-state title. If the vehicle is leased or has a lien, bring the lienholder's fax number, account number, and mailing information, and the registration card.
  • Certificate of Title application VR-005, if you did not complete the pre-application.
  • Maryland insurance information: company name, policy or binder number, and the agent's name if one applies.
  • Check or money order for the fees.

Which inspections apply?

A passed safety inspection is required before a vehicle can be sold, titled, or transferred. Use a station licensed by the Maryland State Police. The station sets the fee. The certificate goes to the MVA electronically and is valid for 90 days. Title and register before it expires. A vehicle previously titled in Maryland in your name does not need a new safety inspection.

VEIP emissions is separate. You receive a notice about three months after registering. The new-resident page does not state a VIN inspection as its own step. See emissions when states differ.

Do I owe tax on a car from another state?

Maryland calls this excise tax. The page opened November 10, 2026 uses NADA clean retail value, adjusted for mileage on a recent purchase.

Moved in the last 60 days, and the vehicle is 6 model years or newer: $100 if the old rate is 6.5 percent or higher; the gap between the old rate and 6.5 percent if the old rate is lower (the page's Virginia example is 4 percent, so 2.5 percent of retail value); 6.5 percent of retail value if the old rate is 0. In that same 60 days, a vehicle 7 model years or older is $41.60, or $20.80 for a trailer, unless the old rate was 0. After 60 days, a vehicle 6 model years or newer is 6.5 percent of retail value, and an older vehicle is $41.60. A recent purchase is 6.5 percent of price or MVA value. A price $500 under book may need proof. Vehicles seven years and older use the greater of price or $640. A lease is 6.5 percent less monthly tax paid in the previous state. Bring the lease or a letter showing taxes paid.

What insurance must the car have?

A Maryland-registered vehicle must be insured by a company licensed and approved in Maryland, even if it is not being driven. Minimums are $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. Insurers report coverage electronically. If two or more companies deny you, or a policy is canceled, the MVA points to Maryland Auto Insurance, which the MVA does not manage.

Can I drive it before it is registered?

If you need plates to reach a safety inspection, you may apply for one 30-day temporary registration. Apply when you are ready. A vehicle that needs repairs can be titled first. The title is mailed. Apply for the temporary registration when the car is ready for inspection. You are responsible for getting it to the station legally. See temporary tags and trip permits.

What fees does the agency list?

The new-resident page does not print a title fee or a plate fee. Use the fees and payment page. The tax dollars above are from the excise-tax page opened November 10, 2026. Inspection stations set their own fee.

What special cases does the agency describe?

Active service members are exempt from excise tax if the vehicle is titled in their name. Proof is a DD-214 or official orders. A visitor keeping an out-of-state vehicle in Maryland for 60 days or longer may need a non-resident permit.

What if the car arrives on a truck?

The 60 days run from the move. A delivered car still needs the safety inspection, Maryland insurance, and excise tax. The one 30-day temporary registration is how you reach an inspection station. Car shipping in Maryland covers the haul. RideShipper does not title the car. A sample sedan range is $376–$573 as of , model v1 RideShipper estimate, updated 2026-11-09, based on 3,588 prices that customers reported paying in MoveAdvisor reviews, adjusted for U.S. diesel at $6.13 a gallon for that week (U.S. Energy Information Administration). In testing, the typical difference between an estimate and a reported price was about 20% of the estimate. This is an estimate, not a quote: the carrier sets the price. No pickup date was supplied, so this estimate uses November 2026. There is no seasonal direction adjustment for this route and month.. Change cities on the calculator.

See registering a car after you move and insurance proof before registration.

By rideshipper-editorial

Questions

What happens if I miss 60 days?

The MVA says failure to title and register within 60 days of moving disqualifies you from a tax credit for titling tax paid in another state, and you may be cited for an out-of-state registration. The excise-tax page then charges 6.5 percent of retail value on a vehicle 6 model years or newer, or a flat amount on an older vehicle.

Do I need emissions the same day as the safety inspection?

No. The new-resident page says emissions testing is not done at the safety inspection. You receive a VEIP notice about three months after registering.

Can I get plates just to drive to the inspection station?

The registration page says you may apply for one 30-day temporary registration if you need plates in order to get a safety inspection. Only one 30-day temporary registration may be issued.

What if the car is leased?

Bring the lienholder or leasing company's fax number, account number, and mailing information, and the registration card. Excise tax on a lease is 6.5 percent less the monthly tax paid in the previous state. Bring the lease or a letter showing taxes paid.

Are active-duty service members charged excise tax?

If the vehicle is currently titled in your name, the excise-tax page says active service members are exempt. Proof is a DD-214 or official orders in the owner's name.

Sources

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