The information provided below explains how different types of buses are titled. The requirements associated with each bus type are separately discussed below in answer to a commonly asked question. Either scroll down to the appropriate question or use one of the links provided below.
Please note: buses traveling outside the state are required to register under the Interstate Registration Plan (IRP) or obtain a 72 hour interstate permit.
How do I title a church bus?
You can apply for a title, and registration, in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA's Mail In Title Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service. Note that if the bus will be used to transport children to or from a church supported or other school, it must meet the titling requirements for a school bus, rather than for a church bus. Also, if your bus is an old school bus, it first must be re-painted with a color other than international school bus yellow and the "stop" sign and flashing lights on the top of the bus must be removed.
Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title.
- Application – You should use either the back of the Maryland title or the
Application for Certificate of Title to request the new title (and registration, if applicable). If the Maryland title is used as the application form, complete the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. The Application for Certificate of Title must be used when the vehicle is new or is titled in another state. Regardless of the form used, be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
- Proof of Ownership – If the vehicle is new, submit the certificate of origin. If the vehicle is used and has a Maryland title, both the buyer and the seller must sign the section on the back of the title labeled Assignment of Ownership. For out-of-state titles, the appropriate assignment section on the title must be properly completed and signed.
- Proof of purchase price – This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below its book value; and
- the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle’s value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
- Certification for Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle Registration
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Maryland safety inspection certificate – This Maryland State Police form is needed for used vehicles that are being registered (most cases). It certifies that your vehicle meets Maryland safety standards and is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued.
- Lien release – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. For a vehicle that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN)) and stating that the lien has been released. If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, the lien holder must sign the title in the place provided for lien release or submit a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released.
- Certification of Lien Satisfaction – This form may be used if the vehicle is titled in Maryland and the lien is over 7 years old and has been satisfied. In this case, the vehicle owner(s) may certify that the lien was satisfied, in lieu of submitting a lien release statement from the lien holder.
Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle, additional forms are needed. Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. Access the infoMVA Registration homepage to find the applicable registration description.
Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration date stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.
How do I title an intrastate passenger bus or motor coach that will be operating only within Maryland?
The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates intrastate buses through standards and guidelines that must be met before the bus can be titled. Therefore, you should first contact the PSC.
Upon approval by the Public Service Commission, you may apply for a title, and registration, in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA's Mail In Title Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA tag and title service where they will assist you in applying.
Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain the title.
- Application – You should use either the back of the Maryland title or the Application for Certificate of Title to request the new title (and registration, if applicable). If the Maryland title is used as the application form, complete the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. The Application for Certificate of Title must be used when the vehicle is new or is titled in another state. Regardless of the form used, be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
- Proof of Ownership – If the vehicle is new, submit the certificate of origin. If the vehicle is used and has a Maryland title, both the buyer and the seller must sign the section on the back of the title labeled Assignment of Ownership. For out-of-state titles, the appropriate assignment section on the title must be properly completed and signed.
- Proof of purchase price – This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below its book value; and
- the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle’s value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
- Application for Authority to Operate as a Carrier in Intrastate Commerce in Maryland Passenger Vehicle List – This Public Service Commission form must be submitted as proof that it has been approved for use as a passenger bus.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Lien release – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. For a vehicle that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released. If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, the lien holder must sign the title in the place provided for lien release or submit a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released.
- Certification of Lien Satisfaction – This form may be used if the vehicle is titled in Maryland and the lien is over 7 years old and has been satisfied. In this case, the vehicle owner(s) may certify that the lien was satisfied, in lieu of submitting a lien release statement from the lien holder.
Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle, additional forms are needed. Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. Access the infoMVA Registration homepage to find the applicable registration description.
Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration date stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.
How do I title an interstate passenger bus or motor coach that will be operating both within and outside of Maryland?
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) regulates interstate buses through standards and guidelines that must be met before the bus can be titled. Therefore, you should first contact the FHA.
Upon approval by the Federal Highway Administration, you may apply for a title, and registration, in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA's Mail In Title Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA tag and title service where they will assist you in applying.
Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle.
- Application – You should use either the back of the Maryland title or the Application for Certificate of Title to request the new title (and registration, if applicable). If the Maryland title is used as the application form, complete the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. The Application for Certificate of Title must be used when the vehicle is new or is titled in another state. Regardless of the form used, be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
- Proof of Ownership – If the vehicle is new, submit the certificate of origin. If the vehicle is used and has a Maryland title, both the buyer and the seller must sign the section on the back of the title labeled Assignment of Ownership. For out-of-state titles, the appropriate assignment section on the title must be properly completed and signed.
- Proof of purchase price – This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below its book value; and
- the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle’s value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
- Interstate Commerce Commission Form – You must submit the Federal Highway Administration's Interstate Commerce Commission Form with the appropriate number. All buses traveling interstate are subject to the Federal Highway Administration's standards and guidelines.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Lien release – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. For a vehicle that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released. If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, the lien holder must sign the title in the place provided for lien release or submit a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released.
- Certification of Lien Satisfaction – This form may be used if the vehicle is titled in Maryland and the lien is over 7 years old and has been satisfied. In this case, the vehicle owner(s) may certify that the lien was satisfied, in lieu of submitting a lien release statement from the lien holder.
Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle, additional forms are needed. Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. Access the infoMVA Registration homepage to find the applicable registration description.
Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration date stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.
How do I title a school bus?
You may apply for a title, and registration, in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA's Mail In Title Unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying.
Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle.
- Application – You should use either the back of the Maryland title or the Application for Certificate of Title to request the new title (and registration, if applicable). If the Maryland title is used as the application form, complete the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. The Application for Certificate of Title must be used when the vehicle is new or is titled in another state. Regardless of the form used, be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
- Proof of Ownership – If the vehicle is new, submit the certificate of origin. If the vehicle is used and has a Maryland title, both the buyer and the seller must sign the section on the back of the title labeled Assignment of Ownership. For out-of-state titles, the appropriate assignment section on the title must be properly completed and signed.
- Proof of purchase price – This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below its book value; and
- the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle’s value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Lien release – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. For a vehicle that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released. If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, the lien holder must sign the title in the place provided for lien release or submit a signed letter from the lien holder on lien holder letterhead specifically identifying the vehicle (year, make and VIN) and stating that the lien has been released.
- Certification of Lien Satisfaction – This form may be used if the vehicle is titled in Maryland and the lien is over 7 years old and has been satisfied. In this case, the vehicle owner(s) may certify that the lien was satisfied, in lieu of submitting a lien release statement from the lien holder.
Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle, additional forms are needed. Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. Access the infoMVA Registration homepage to find the applicable registration description.
Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration date stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.
Note: On July 1, 2015 all businesses wishing to title a vehicle will be required to show proof of the legal existence of the business. The business will be given a number with a "Z" to identify it.
Fees:
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
MVA
Mail In Title Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For Telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563
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