Okay, so let’s say you’re moving to Maryland. Maybe you’re in it for the diversity of nature, for the proximity to Washington D.C. and Six Flags, for the blue crabs, for sailing, for Old Bay on everything, for Harriet Tubman, for the Baltimore harbor, the Chesapeake Bay, the Orioles or the Ravens. Or maybe you just never recovered from just how good The Wire was. Whatever your reasons, and however passionate (or dispassionate…we’re not judging) you are about moving to the birthplace of Berger Cookies, moving takes a lot of effort, planning, and organization. And we thought we’d pitch in, make your load a bit lighter.
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So that you’ve got one less thing on your plate (and more room for local goodies) we thought we’d give you a rundown of what it takes to bring your vehicle across state borders and into Maryland. With an out-of-state car, truck, or SUV, you will need to transfer your current title and convert it to a local MD title. In addition, you will need to obtain local MD license plates in order to drive your car legally.
The first thing you will need to do is gather up all the necessary documents.
Proof of ownership in Maryland means that you will have to provide the title of the vehicle with your name listed on the front as the current owner. If you are not the current owner, you will need to complete the transfer of that title from your seller to you before you begin the process of converting to a Maryland title.
If you happened to have lost or damaged your vehicle’s title, you will need to apply for a duplicate title from your most recent state of residence. Once you have your title in hand, (and it is clean, original, and not a copy) you can then proceed.
If you do not have a title in your possession because there is a lien on your vehicle, fret not. There is still a way to transfer your title to Maryland. You will simply have to contact the lienholder and request that a copy of the title be sent to the MVA.
The state of Maryland also requires that you present your registration documents as part of proving your ownership of the car/truck/SUV. Both your license plate(s) and your registration certificate will be needed in order to fill out the MVA form VR-005, which is the application for a title.
When moving from another state, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) will ask for a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) verification as well as an official odometer reading.
Both of these attestations can be supplied during another pre-requisite for importing a car: the vehicle safety inspection.
All cars, trucks, tractors, trailers, and motorcycles coming into Maryland are subject to a safety inspection. But take heart! During this check-up at licensed inspection station – such as a car dealership, a service station, or a specialized auto service center – you can easily gather all three necessary elements. So while it may seem like a lot of permission slips to gather, in actuality, they can all be collected at one place at one time!
Once your vehicle is deemed road-worthy by the licensed inspection station, you will be issued a Certificate of Inspection. This certificate must be sought and issued within 90 days of filing your Application for Title.
In addition to providing the aforementioned documentation and passing inspection certificate, in order to title and register your vehicle in the state of Maryland, the MVA will also require comprehensive automobile insurance.
Your policy must provide meet the following minimums:
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 to cover two or more people
- $15,000 for property damage.
Your coverage will have to be current, valid, and local. If you come to Maryland with an existing policy from out of state, your options are to either:
- Contact your brokerage company and ask if they have a branch in Maryland. If they do, you can request that they shift your insurance from your last place of residence to Maryland. It’s normally a quick and seamless process.
- Shop for a new insurance policy in the state of Maryland. (We can help – just ask us!)
You should be aware that Maryland has very strict regulations regarding automobile insurance. A lapse in coverage could see you paying a fine of $150 for the first thirty days, and up to $7 for each additional day after that. The MVA is also within their right to impose other fines and penalties for lapsed insurance. But more than just avoiding fines, obtaining local insurance is the only way you will be permitted to register to vehicle in the state of Maryland.
The rule is: no insurance, no tags. So it’s a smart idea to get your insurance squared away first thing upon moving.
It’s good to note that in addition to all the transfer protocol regarding your vehicle, you will also be required to obtain a Maryland driver’s license. From the day you move to the state, you will have a sixty-day time period in which to swap your old driver’s license for a local one. If your license happens to be a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you will only have thirty days in which to get this task done.
Your out-of-state license must be current, or at the very least not expired for more than one year.
However, there are provisions if your license is expired, and ways you can still obtain a Maryland driving license.
So, with these points laid out for you, we’re hoping that at least this part of your move to Maryland has been made that much simpler. A few things to tick off the checklist, and you can be happily on your way to the Chesapeake Bay, or buying Old Bay. And remember, we’ve got title and registration experts in Maryland ready to help make this process even smoother for you. Whatever the vehicle and whatever the state, at eTags, we’re here to help!
