Maryland allows vehicle owners to transfer an existing license plate to another vehicle they own after selling, trading, or replacing a vehicle. Unlike states where license plates remain with the vehicle, Maryland license plates stay with the registered owner. Plate transfers are administered by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and can often be completed online, at an MVA branch office, or through a licensed tag and title service.
Maryland is a two-license-plate state, meaning both the front and rear plates are transferred to your replacement vehicle.
Maryland License Plate Transfer Rules
Maryland allows eligible vehicle owners to transfer license plates between vehicles registered in the same owner’s name. Keeping your existing plates can simplify the registration process and may allow you to retain any remaining registration period.
Can you transfer a license plate to a new vehicle?
Yes. Maryland permits license plate transfers between vehicles of the same registration class owned by the same individual or business.
When you sell or trade your current vehicle, remove both license plates before delivering the vehicle to the buyer. After purchasing another vehicle, you may transfer those plates by completing the registration process through the Maryland MVA.
If your replacement vehicle belongs to a different registration class, additional registration requirements or fees may apply.
How to Transfer a License Plate in Maryland
Maryland offers several ways to complete a plate transfer, including online services, MVA branch offices, and licensed tag and title companies.
What are the steps to transfer a Maryland license plate?
After purchasing your replacement vehicle, the process generally includes the following steps:
- Remove both license plates from the vehicle you sold or traded.
- Obtain the properly assigned title for your replacement vehicle.
- Complete the title application and registration paperwork through the Maryland MVA.
- Submit proof of ownership, insurance, and any additional required documents.
- Pay the $10 plate transfer fee, applicable title fee, excise tax, and registration charges.
- Receive updated registration documents and install both transferred license plates on the replacement vehicle.
Many routine transactions can be completed online, while more complex title transactions may require an in-person visit.
Documents Required for a Plate Transfer
Preparing your documents before beginning the transfer can help avoid delays and repeat visits.
What documents do you need?
Most Maryland plate transfers require:
- Valid Maryland driver’s license or state identification card
- Properly assigned vehicle title
- Bill of sale, when applicable
- Current registration card for the license plates being transferred
- Both Maryland license plates
- Proof of Maryland liability insurance
- Payment for applicable taxes, title fees, registration fees, and the transfer fee
Additional documents may be required for leased vehicles, inherited vehicles, vehicles with liens, or business-owned vehicles.
Maryland Plate Transfer Fees
The plate transfer fee itself is relatively inexpensive. However, vehicle excise tax and title fees generally make up the largest portion of the total registration cost.
How much does it cost to transfer a license plate?
Maryland charges a $10 license plate transfer fee for eligible transfers.
| Fee | Details |
|---|---|
| License plate transfer fee | $10 |
| Maryland vehicle excise tax | 6% of the purchase price or fair market value |
| Immediate family excise tax | 0.5% for qualifying transfers between spouses, parents, children, and siblings |
| Vehicle title fee | $100 |
| Annual registration fee | Based on vehicle weight and type |
Although the transfer fee is fixed, the total amount due depends on the vehicle’s value, registration class, and whether the transaction qualifies for a reduced excise tax rate.
Maryland Excise Tax
Maryland charges an excise tax whenever most vehicles are titled in the state. This tax is separate from the plate transfer fee and is often the largest cost associated with registering a replacement vehicle.
How does Maryland’s excise tax work?
Most vehicle purchases are subject to a 6% vehicle excise tax, calculated using the purchase price or the vehicle’s fair market value, depending on the transaction.
Certain transfers between immediate family members, including spouses, parents, children, and siblings, may qualify for a reduced 0.5% excise tax, provided all eligibility requirements are met.
Personalized and Specialty Plate Transfers
Maryland offers a wide selection of specialty, military, organizational, collegiate, and personalized license plates. Most of these plates can be transferred to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same individual.
Can personalized plates be transferred?
Yes. Personalized and specialty license plates can generally be transferred to another eligible vehicle registered in the same owner’s name.
Some specialty plate categories require continued eligibility or additional documentation before the transfer can be completed.
Registration After Selling Your Vehicle
Selling a vehicle affects both your registration and your license plates. Because Maryland license plates remain with the owner, they should always be removed before ownership changes.
What happens to your old registration?
After selling your vehicle and removing both license plates, your previous registration is no longer associated with that vehicle.
The buyer must title and register the vehicle through the Maryland MVA, pay applicable taxes and fees, and obtain registration in their own name. Maryland also recommends submitting a Notice of Sale to document the transfer and help protect you from future liability involving the vehicle.
Can You Transfer a Plate to Another Person?
Maryland does not allow standard license plates to be transferred between different owners. Registration remains tied to the person or business listed on the registration record.
Can someone else use your Maryland license plates?
No. Always remove both license plates before delivering the vehicle to the buyer. The purchaser must obtain their own Maryland registration and license plates through the MVA.
Registration Deadlines
Maryland requires prompt registration after purchasing a vehicle or moving into the state. Missing the deadline may result in penalties or additional registration costs.
How long do you have to transfer your license plates?
Most newly purchased vehicles must be titled and registered within 60 days of purchase.
Individuals establishing Maryland residency generally have 60 days after becoming residents to title and register their vehicles.
What If You Don’t Want to Transfer Your Plates?
If you sell your vehicle without purchasing another one immediately, you are not required to transfer your existing plates.
Should you keep or surrender your license plates?
You may retain your license plates for future use or return them to the Maryland MVA. If you choose not to transfer your registration, the MVA can explain the current plate return, cancellation, and retention procedures.