Registration requirements for four different types of “for hire” vehicles are discussed below in answer to commonly asked questions. Note that in most cases, these vehicles must be inspected and approved by the
Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) prior to their registration by the MVA.
Contact the PSC for more information about their approval process.
Please note: buses traveling outside the state are required to register under the Interstate Registration Plan (IRP) or obtain a 72 hour interstate permit.
To review the registration requirements for the following vehicles, either scroll down to the appropriate question or use one of these links:
Fees:
The fee for registering a vehicle varies by the type of vehicle and/or its intended use. See Fees for Registration Plates for more information.
Contact Information:
MVA
Mail-in Registration Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563
Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)
6 St. Paul Center
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-767-8013 or 410-767-8000
Email: mpsc@psc.state.md.us
In order to be registered, your vehicle must first be titled in Maryland. Review the applicable requirements by accessing the Titling homepage.
Also, prior to the vehicle's registration as a taxicab, the vehicle must be inspected and approved to operate as a taxi by either the Maryland Public Service Commission (taxi operating in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Hagerstown, or Cumberland) or by the appropriate local government agency (taxi operating in any other Maryland jurisdiction). A taxicab must be for hire and designed to carry seven or fewer individuals, including the driver.
The registration period for a taxicab is two years. You can apply for registration (and titling) in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You can also mail in 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.
Typically, the registration application documents needed, along with payment for taxes and fees, 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 (VR-008).
- Approval from the appropriate regulator agency - If you are operating your taxicab in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Hagerstown, or Cumberland, the Maryland Public Service Commission must have stamped your application document indicating that they have approved the vehicle for use as a taxicab. If you are operating your taxicab in any other political subdivision you must provide a copy of your operating permit issued by that jurisdiction.
- Class B - Taxicab Certification Form must be completed.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your 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.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
At the conclusion of the registration process, you will receive license plates, expiration date (month and year) stickers, a receipt for fees paid and a registration card.
In order to be registered, your vehicle must first be titled in Maryland. Review the applicable requirements by accessing the Titling homepage.
Also, prior to the vehicle's registration as a sedan service vehicle, it must be inspected and approved to operate as a sedan service vehicle by the Maryland Public Service Commission. A sedan service vehicle must be for hire and designed to carry 15 or fewer individuals, including the driver.
The registration for a class B vehicle is two years. You can apply for registration (and titling) in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You can also mail in 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.
Typically, the registration application documents needed, along with payment for taxes and fees, 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 VR-008.
- Passenger Vehicle List - This form is provided by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and must have the red PSC stamp on it indicating that the vehicle has been approved and a completed Application for License Plates for Facilities, form VR-059.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your 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.
At the conclusion of the registration process, you will receive license plates, expiration date (month and year) stickers, a receipt for fees paid and a registration card.
In order to be registered, your vehicle must first be titled in Maryland. Review the applicable requirements by accessing the Titling homepage.
Also, prior to the vehicle's registration as a transport van, it must be inspected and approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The van must have a lift and be fitted to transport individuals with a disability.
The registration period for a van used to transport individuals with a disability is two years. You can apply for registration (and titling) in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You can also mail in 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.
Typically, the registration application documents needed, along with payment for taxes and fees, 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 VR-008.
- Passenger Vehicle List - This form is provided by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and must have the red PSC stamp on it indicating that the vehicle has been approved to operate as a sedan service vehicle.
- Application for License Plates for Facilities - This form is required to obtain disability license plates.
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your 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.
At the conclusion of the registration process, you will receive license plates, expiration date (month and year) stickers, a receipt for fees paid and a registration card.
In order to be registered, your vehicle must first be titled in Maryland. Review the applicable requirements by accessing the Titling homepage.
Also, prior to the vehicle's registration as a limousine, it must be inspected and approved to operate as a "for hire" limousine by the Maryland Public Service Commission. A limousine is generally able to carry 10 or more individuals and:
- has been modified or stretched for the transportation of passengers (no longer than 35 feet in length); and,
- is equipped with amenities not normally provided in passenger cars, including a custom interior, television, video cassette recorder, musical sound system, telephone, ice storage area, additional interior lighting and driver - passenger communication such as an intercom or power-operated driver partition.
The registration period for a limousine is two years. You can apply for registration (and titling) in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You can also mail in 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.
Typically, the registration application documents needed (along with payment for taxes and fees) 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 VR-008.
- Passenger Vehicle List - This form is provided by the Public Service commission (PSC) and must have the red PSC stamp on it indicating that the vehicle has been approved to operate as a limousine.
- Certificate of Issuance for Limousine Vehicle Registration
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate - This Maryland State Police form certifies that your 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.
At the conclusion of the registration process, you will receive license plates, expiration date (month and year) stickers, a receipt for fees paid and a registration card.
