Maryland residents who purchase a vehicle out of state may have questions on how to get the vehicle to Maryland. Some states offer a transport tag that, when purchased, allows you to drive the vehicle to your home state. If the state where you acquired your vehicle does not offer a transport tag, you can obtain a Maryland 30 day temporary registration to use to transport your vehicle. You will be required to title and register the vehicle and pay all applicable fees including excise tax, title, lien recording (if applicable) and the temporary registration fee.

If the vehicle is used, you will be required to have the vehicle pass a safety inspection once the vehicle is in Maryland. The original (top) copy of the Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate may be submitted to any of the MVA's full service branch offices in order to purchase 1 or 2 year registration plates.

To title and register your newly purchased new or used vehicle, you will need to submit the following documents (along with payment for taxes and fees):

• Proof of ownership - You must submit the certificate of origin for your new vehicle or the vehicle's current title if the vehicle is used. The ownership document must be properly assigned to you. A registration document and bill of sale may be submitted as proof of ownership ONLY if the vehicle is from a state that does not issue a title as proof of ownership.
• Application form - The Application for Certificate of Title form #VR-005 must be completed. Be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland's minimum liability insurance requirements.
• Proof of purchase price – For a vehicle purchased from a dealer you must have the original bill of sale. For a vehicle purchased from a private sale you will need a bill of sale signed by all sellers and buyer if the title document does not have a place for the seller to certify the sale price. The bill of sale must state the sellers name, the buyers name and the year, make and vehicle identification number and the purchase price of the vehicle. A notarized bill of sale signed by all sellers and buyers is required if the following conditions apply:
  • The vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
  • The purchase price is at least $500 below the 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.
    
• Maryland Excise Titling Tax
  
  A vehicle purchased from a licensed dealer, is assessed excise tax based on the agreed upon price of the vehicle, by the buyer and the seller including any dealer processing charge, with an allowance for trade-in consideration. Manufacturer rebates are taxable, however dealer rebates and discounts are not. All rebate, trade-in, or discount information must be clearly marked on the bill of sale. A vehicle purchased from a private party sale is assessed 6% of the purchase price verified by a notarized MVA Bill of Sale (form #VR-181), signed by both the buyer(s) and the seller(s) in which the actual price paid for the vehicle is stated or, in other cases, the total purchase price or the valuation shown in a national publication of used car values adopted for use by the Administration will be used to establish the tax. There is an addition or subtraction for high or low mileage. For vehicles seven years old and older, the tax is based on the greater of the purchase price or the minimum book value of $640.
  
  Note: The Motor Vehicle Administration may require you to submit additional documentation to substantiate the purchase price. Trailers 7 years and older will be assessed 6% excise tax on the greater of the purchase price or the minimum value of $320.
  
• Odometer disclosure statement – The mileage must be recorded on the ownership document at the time of sale. A dealer may also use a Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement to certify the mileage.
• Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate – All used vehicles require a safety inspection at an authorized inspection station. The Maryland State Police Safety Inspection form certifies that your vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for 90 days from the date issued.

Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:

• Lien information - If you borrowed money to buy the vehicle, the lien information may need to be recorded on the Maryland title application. The MVA form entitled Security Interest Filing (form #VR-217) must be used if a second lien is to be placed against the title.
• Lien release - The existing out of state title must show the lien was released (if applicable). Most out of state titles have a place on them for the release of lien, while a few states have a separate lien release document that is issued upon release of the lien. In addition, you may have received a lien release letter on the company’s letterhead, which may be submitted.
• Power of attorney  (VR-470​)-– If someone other than you, the new owner, is signing the titling forms, this document is required.  A copy of the registered owner(s) state issued identification must accompany the Power of Attorney and the person submitting must present their state issued identification.​  Situations may vary when purchasing a vehicle out-of-state.
  

Situations may vary when purchasing a vehicle out-of-state. If you do not meet the above criteria or require assistance please contact the MDOT MVA​. You will receive a response back within 3 business days.

Mailing Address:

MVA Mail In Title Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center:    1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired:                   1-301-729-4563​