Specialty & Personalized License Plates

In addition to the standard plate, Maryland offers specialty and personalized license plates. Specialty plates feature unique designs that support causes, programs, or organizations. Personalized plates let you choose a custom message. All fees are in addition to your regular registration fee.

Specialty license plates

Maryland specialty license plates let you personalize your vehicle while supporting specific causes, programs, or organizations. These plates are issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). They do not replace vehicle registration. Your vehicle must remain properly registered and insured.

Agricultural and Chesapeake Bay plates

The Agricultural and Chesapeake Bay plates are specialty plates available for an additional annual fee during the registration process.

Which vehicles qualify

These plates are available for passenger cars (class A), multipurpose vehicles (class M), trucks up to 1 ton (class EPO), and trailers (class G). The agricultural plate is also available for agricultural vehicles (class EFT). Vehicles with disability plates or personalized plates are also eligible.

How to get these plates

You can request Agricultural or Chesapeake Bay plates

• During vehicle registration or renewal — online, in person or by mail
• Anytime through your myMVA account

If you are requesting the plates while registering by mail or in person, submit the Application for Bay or Agricultural Plates (VR-302) - PDF - 3.09 MB. Submit a separate application and fee for each set of plates.

If you are requesting the plates while renewing your registration, include your renewal notice and registration fee with your application.

Fees

In addition to your regular registration fee, there is an initial fee to upgrade to either plate and an annual fee charged at each renewal.

A portion of the annual fee goes directly to the Chesapeake Bay Trust or the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation.

Amateur radio operator license plates

Eligibility

Amateur radio operator plates are available for:

• Drivers who hold a valid FCC (Federal Communications Commission) amateur radio operator's license.
• Passenger cars and trucks (10,000 lbs. or less).

How to get this plate

Submit the following in person or by mail:

• Completed Application for Special Registration Plates (form VR-164) - PDF - 132.73 KB
• Valid copy of your FCC Amateur Radio Operator's License
• Applicable fees

Fees

In addition to your regular registration fee, there is an initial fee to purchase the plate and an annual fee charged at renewal. A substitute plate fee also applies.

1910 Vintage Reproduction plates

Which vehicles qualify

This plate is available for passenger cars (class A), multipurpose vehicles (class M), historic vehicles (class L) trucks up to 1 ton (class E), and street rods (class N)

How to get this plate

• Online through your myMVA account
• In person or by mail — Submit a completed Application for Special Registration Plates (form VR-164 - PDF - 132.73 KB) and applicable fees. If you are also renewing your registration, include your renewal notice and registration fee with your application.

Fees

In addition to your regular registration fee, there is an initial fee to purchase the plate and an annual fee charged at renewal. A substitute plate fee also applies.

Historic or street rod plates

Historic:

• Which vehicles qualify
  • A historic vehicle must not have been substantially altered, remodeled, or remanufactured from its original design, must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck (with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less), and is model year 1999 or older​.
  • The vehicle owner will certify the vehicle will be maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
  • The vehicle owner further certifies the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.
  • A historic registration may also be issued to a truck with a GVWR in excess of 10,000, tractor or motor home as long as the vehicle is 25 calendar years old or older and not substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from its original design.
    • Note: Vehicles issued historic tags under these criteria may not be used for occasional transportation or for any commercial transportation of passengers or property on highways. The vehicle may only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours and similar uses. A historic vehicle in this category must be insured by a Historic Vehicle, Show Vehicle or Antique Vehicle insurance policy.
  • A historic vehicle 60 years or older may obtain a one-time, permanent, non-transferable registration. This vehicle registration does not qualify for specialty plates.
  • Trailers do not qualify for historic registration.
• How to get this plate: You will need to fill out the Historic or Street Rod Registration - (VR-096) - PDF - 151.9 KB form and submit to the MVA with applicable fees.

Street Rod:

• Which vehicles qualify
  • A street rod vehicle must be 25 years old or older and must have been substantially altered from the manufacturer's original design.
  • Vehicles classified as street rod certifies the vehicle will be maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
  • The vehicle owner further certifies the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.
• How to get this plate: You will need to fill out the Historic or Street Rod Registration - (VR-096) - PDF - 151.9 KB form and submit to the MVA with applicable fees.

Other specialty plate options

Personalized license plates

Personalized license plates — sometimes called vanity plates — let you choose a custom message for your plate.

What you can put on your plate

Your custom message can include letters, numbers, or a combination of both. Depending on your vehicle, you can request between 2 and 7 characters.

A personalized plate may not contain any symbol, diagram, slash or other character. 

The MVA may decline your requested message if it has already been issued to someone else or is considered objectionable.

Which vehicles qualify

Personalized plates are available for the following vehicle classes:

• Class A — passenger car
• Class M — multi-purpose vehicle
• Class D — motorcycle (where applicable)
• Class EPO — truck with a one-ton or less manufacturer's rated capacity
• Class G — non-freight trailers
• Class L — historic vehicle
• Class N — street rod

Note: Class G, L, and N personalized plates are issued on a black and white background.

How to apply

You can apply:

• Online through your myMVA account
• In person at any MVA full-service branch office
• By mail to the MVA's Specialty Tag Unit in Glen Burnie
• Through an MVA-licensed tag and title service (fees apply)

Bring or include a completed Application for Special Registration Plates (VR-164) - PDF - 132.73 KB and a copy of your current registration card.

Processing time

It typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks to receive your personalized plates. Due to current processing and delivery challenges, it may take longer. 

Fees

In addition to your regular registration fee, there is an initial fee to purchase the plate and an annual fee charged at renewal. 

Fees for specialty & personalized plates

Fees vary based on plate type, vehicle type and required contributions.