GLEN BURNIE, MD (June 30, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) today launched the Plate Where You Live campaign, a statewide effort to help Maryland residents properly register their vehicles in Maryland ahead of new enforcement measures authorized under Senate Bill 111. The measure, passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore, will expand the ability of MVA and local law enforcement to issue fines to residents who fail to properly register their vehicles in the state where they primarily reside.
“Proper vehicle registration is fundamental to road safety. Our goal is to help more Maryland drivers get into compliance for the well-being of everyone on our roads,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore's Highway Safety Representative. “When drivers don’t register their vehicles properly, there is no guarantee those vehicles are safe and have the necessary insurance, putting everyone at risk of death or serious injury. We look forward to working with drivers, and our government partners to make Maryland roads safer for everyone. Safety is a everyone’s responsibility.”
The Plate Where You Live campaign is designed to educate Maryland residents about vehicle registration requirements and provides residents with an opportunity to correct any registration issues ahead of the October 1 deadline. The campaign features a dedicated webpage with resources and tools to assist drivers who are new to Maryland or who continue to maintain vehicle registrations in other states. Under current Maryland state law, vehicle owners have 60 days to register their vehicle, secure a nonresident vehicle permit or provide proof the vehicle is not required to be registered in the State.
Beginning October 1, vehicle owners will be given a 60-day warning to bring their vehicle into compliance with state law or obtain proper documentation showing they are exempt. If vehicles remain out-of-compliance 60 days after the initial warning, the vehicle owner will be fined $7 for each day the vehicle remains out of compliance (up to 60 days or $420). 120 days after the initial warning, the MVA will notify the appropriate local jurisdictions for additional penalties, which may result in civil action, booting, towing, vehicle impoundment, and seized out-of-state plates.
Maryland residents who need to register or re-register a vehicle are encouraged to visit mva.maryland.gov/PlateWhereYouLive for step-by-step instructions, tools and resources to complete the process. MVA is committed to helping drivers meet registration requirements before the new law takes effect. Additional assistance is available through ContactMVA or by calling 410-768-7000.
