Maryland MVA Launches 'Plate Where You Live' Campaign Ahead of Enforcement Changes
Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is urging residents to 'plate where you live' as it prepares to enforce new state registration requirements later this year. On June 30, the agency announced an educational campaign encouraging drivers who primarily keep their vehicles in Maryland to register them in-state instead of using tags from neighboring jurisdictions. The campaign is designed to help motorists comply with Senate Bill 111/House Bill 285, a law passed during the 2026 General Assembly that takes effect Oct. 1 and authorizes the state to penalize out-of-state vehicle registration.
In many parts of Maryland, especially communities near Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia, it is common to see vehicles with out-of-state plates parked in driveways for months at a time. Those vehicles are often owned by Maryland residents seeking to avoid paying registration fees and property taxes. The MVA says that when drivers register vehicles elsewhere but reside in Maryland, they unfairly shift costs onto their neighbors, because the taxes and fees used to maintain roads, repair bridges, and invest in public safety are collected where the car is registered. 'Plate Where You Live' aims to make drivers aware of the law and provide guidance on how to register properly before enforcement begins.
Under Senate Bill 111, law enforcement will have new tools to address chronic offenders. Police may issue a 60 day written warning to drivers whose cars are observed regularly in Maryland with an out-of-state tag. If the driver does not register within 60 days, the agency can assess a civil penalty of $7 for each day the vehicle remains unregistered, up to a maximum of $420. After 120 days of non compliance, more severe penalties could follow, including towing, seizure of the license plate, and court‟ordered fines. The goal, state officials say, is not to punish people but to create a fair playing field.
To avoid penalties, motorists should register their vehicle in Maryland if it is principally stored here. In general, active-duty military, full time college students, and certain non‟residents who work in Maryland may be exempt, but everyone else should ensure they have Maryland plates. Registration can be completed online or at any MVA branch. Drivers will need to provide proof of ownership, insurance, and in some cases complete an inspection. More information, including a list of exemptions and step by step instructions, is available on the MDOT MVA website.
By launching its awareness campaign months ahead of enforcement, the MVA hopes to encourage voluntary compliance and fund the infrastructure projects Marylanders rely on. Residents who choose to 'plate where they live' will support local roads and avoid costly fines later this year.