Registration requirements for the following special use vehicles are discussed below in answer to commonly asked questions. Either scroll down to the appropriate question and answer, or click on the special use vehicle in which you are interested.
If your vehicle has not yet been titled, also review the applicable requirements. Common titling processes include:
For Low Speed Vehicles, see Titling - Low Speed Vehicles
MVA
Mail In Registration Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
MVA
Mail In Title Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center: | 1-800-950-1MVA(1682) |
TTY/Hearing Impaired: | 1-800-492-4575 |
Out-of-State: | 1-301-729-4550 |
An ambulance is an emergency vehicle, as defined by Maryland law. You can apply to register your vehicle as an ambulance (class C) in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Application for Approval of Emergency Vehicles and Service Vehicles – An ambulance must be authorized for use as an emergency vehicle before it can be used as an ambulance. For more information see Authorization of an Emergency or Service Vehicle.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is authorized as an emergency vehicle and owned or leased by:
- A political subdivision of the State;
- A volunteer fire company; or
- A rescue squad.
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Application for Special Tag for Authorized Emergency Vehicles - This form is needed if the ambulance is authorized as an emergency vehicle and you wish to obtain special emergency license plates. For more information see Authorization of an Emergency or Service Vehicle.
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To be registered as a coal-mining vehicle (class EPO), the vehicle must be used only in the operation of a coal mine. You can apply to register your vehicle as a coal-mining vehicle in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Maryland safety inspection certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
- Coal Mining Vehicle Certification.
- Proof of payment - Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax– Proof that you paid this federal tax is needed when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 55,000 pounds or more. Proof of tax payment is also needed annually at the time of registration renewal. This form is not required for a newly acquired vehicle that is registered within 60 days after the date of purchase.
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To be registered as a dump truck (class EDP), the vehicle must be:
- equipped with two or more axles;
- designed to haul feed or other loose materials in bulk; and,
- self-unloading by gravity or by mechanical means; and,
- equipped so that the load will be enclosed on both sides, front and rear.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) applicable to a dump truck varies by its number of axles:
- 2 axles–40,000 pound limit (you may select a higher gross combined weight (GCW)),
- 3 axles–40,000-55,000 pound limit (you may select a higher gross combined weight (GCW)),
- 4 axles-70,000 pound limit (you may select a higher gross combined weight (GCW)).
Note: A 3 axle dump truck that was registered in Maryland with a 65,000 pound GVWR prior to June 1, 1994, may continue to operate with the 65,000 pound GVWR until the truck becomes twenty (20) model years old. At that point the vehicle owner must either obtain a lift axle certification or drop the vehicle’s GVWR to 55,000 pounds.
You can apply to register your vehicle as a dump truck in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Maryland safety inspection certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
- Certification for the Issuance of Dump Service License Plates.
- Side-view photograph of the dump truck
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Proof of payment - Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax– Proof that you paid this federal tax is needed when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 55,000 pounds or more. Proof of tax payment is also needed annually at the time of registration renewal. This form is not required for a newly acquired vehicle that is registered within 60 days after date of purchase.
- Manufacture’s certification of a lift axle (copy is acceptable) and photograph of the lift axle – These items are needed when:
- you will be operating the dump truck outside of Garrett and Allegany counties; and
- the vehicle has 4 axles; and
- you want the vehicle to have a 70,000 pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Both items must be submitted when the vehicle is titled. Further, the copy of the lift axle certification must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Note: A dump truck must have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 40,000 pounds or more.
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Any type of vehicle may be registered as either a farm area or island vehicle (class K).
A farm area vehicle is a motor vheicle owned by a farmer and operated only on a farm or on a highway within a 10 mile radius of the farm. A farmer is an individual who:
- Raises, grows and produces farm products on a farm of at least 3 acres or more; or
- Keeps at least 25 hives of bees for the pollination of orchards and farm crops and commercial production of honey.
An island vehicle is a motor vehicle, other than a golf cart, which is operated exclusively on an island that:
- Is not accessible by a highway;
- Does not have state maintained highways; and
- contains less than 20 miles of highways.
You can apply to register your vehicle in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
Note: A Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate is not required to register a vehicle as a farm area vehicle or island vehicle.
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To register a vehicle as a farm truck (class EFT), a farm truck tractor (class FF), or a farm trailer (class GF), you must use the vehicle as a farm vehicle. A farm vehicle:
- is used only in the farmer’s farming business and about the farmer’s farm home and in hauling farm products and the labor, supplies, equipment, and other materials necessary for the operation of the farm and farm home; and,
- is not used to haul farm products previously acquired by the farmer for resale or to haul someone else’s farm products for a fee.
Note: A farm truck must have gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10,000 pounds or more.
You can apply to register your vehicle in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
- Application and Certification for Issuance of Farm Tags.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Proof of payment - Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax– Proof that you paid this federal tax is needed when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 55,000 pounds or more. Proof of tax payment is also needed annually at the time of registration renewal. This form is not required for a newly acquired vehicle that is registered within 60 days after the date of purchase.
- Specialty license plate application form – Certain classes of trucks are eligible to display specialty plates such as agricultural background plates. If you choose to request these plates, see Registration – Specialty License Plates for details.
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To be registered as a historic vehicle (class L), your vehicle must be 20 model years old or older and must not have been substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured.
A historic registered vehicle cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
If your historic vehicle is 60 years old or older, you may obtain a permanent, non-transferable registration for a one-time fee.
You can apply to register your vehicle as a historic vehicle in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Application for the Use of Vintage Registration Plates – If you possess vintage (old) license plates that are dated the same year as your vehicle’s model year, you may apply to display these vintage license plates on the vehicle, in place of the historic tags that are usually displayed. However, the historic tags will still be issued and must be carried in the vehicle at all times. There is a one-time fee for the use of vintage tags.
- Specialty license plate application form – Historic vehicles are also eligible to display personalized message (vanity) plates. If you choose to request these plates, see Registration – Specialty License Plates for details. Historic vehicles 60 years or older, with permanent registration, do not qualify for special registration plates.
Note: A Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate is not required to register this vehicle.
To be registered as a low speed vehicle (class D), your vehicle must:
- be a four-wheeled, electric vehicle; and
- have a maximum speed capability that exceeds 20 miles per hours but is less than 25 miles per hour.
A low speed vehicle cannot be used on a roadway for which the posted speed limit exceeds 30 miles per hour or on an expressway or another controlled access highway.
If you are titling and/or registering your vehicle, you can visit or mail all of your registration and titling documents to the MVA's Vehicle Service Division, Room 104 in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
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To be registered as a street rod (class N), your vehicle must:
- be 25 model years old or older; and
- have been substantially altered from the manufacturer’s original design.
A vehicle registered as a street rod cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
You can apply to register your vehicle as a street rod in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Application for the Use of Vintage Registration Plates – If you possess vintage (old) license plates that are dated the same year as your vehicle’s model year, you may apply to display these vintage license plates on the vehicle, in place of the street rod tags that are usually displayed. However, the street rod tags will still be issued and must be carried in the vehicle at all times. There is a one-time fee for the use of vintage tags.
- Specialty license plate application form – Street rods are also eligible to display personalized message (vanity) plates. If you choose to request these plates, see Registration – Specialty License Plates for details.
Note: A Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate is not required to register this vehicle.
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You can apply to register your vehicle as a tow truck or rollback truck (class T or TE) in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Maryland safety inspection certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
- Tow Truck Certification
- US Dept. of Transportation Motor Carrier # OR
Interstate Commerce Commission Motor Carrier #
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Application for Approval of Emergency Vehicles or Service Vehicles – This form is required only if you are requesting authorization to place a flashing light on the truck. For more information see Authorization of an Emergency or Service Vehicle.
- Proof of payment - Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax– Proof that you paid this federal tax is needed when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 55,000 pounds or more. Proof of tax payment is also needed annually at the time of registration renewal. This form is not required for a newly acquired vehicle that is registered within 60 days after the date of purchase.
Notes:
1. If a rollback truck will also be used for purposes other then transporting vehicles, the vehicle will be assigned Class TE and must carry a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
2. A registered tow truck is subject to the weight restrictions posted on restricted bridges, and to all applicable statutory weight and size restrictions.
3. Truck owners must carry commercial liability insurance for the vehicle in the amounts $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence of bodily injury liability, and $100,000 per occurrence of property damage liability.
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To register a vehicle as a van pool vehicle (class J), it must have a seating capacity for no less than seven (7) and no more than fifteen (15) passengers, including the driver. Further, the van must be used to provide van pool services, defined as a non-profit commuter service that:
- is provided or organized by an employee organization or company, or by a group of companies for its employees, or by an individual or group of individuals; and,
- transports commuters exclusively between their place of residence and their place of employment or termini near such places.
You can apply to register your vehicle as a van pool vehicle in person at any of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You also can mail the required documents to the MVA’s Mail in Registration Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying. Licensed tag and title services will charge a fee for this service.
The registration application documents include:
- Application form – When your vehicle has a Maryland title and you are registering and titling it at the same time, the title can be used as the application form for both transactions. If the vehicle’s title was issued by another state, use the Application for Certificate of Title to apply. If you have already titled the vehicle in Maryland and now want to register it, you will need to complete the Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your used vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date, or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first. The inspection certificate is not required:
- when the vehicle is new, unless the odometer reading is more than 7,500 miles; or
- when the vehicle is already titled and the certificate was presented and accepted by the MVA at the time of titling.
- Certification for Issuance of Van Pool Registration
Notes:
1. A van pool registration must be renewed annually and requires a new Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate.
2. Vanpool vehicle owners must certify that they are carrying 5 times the standard Maryland insurance requirements.
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