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MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration

Remove Vehicle Flags

Welcome to the new MVA.Maryland.gov!

You’ve reached the new website for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Thanks for visiting!

What is a vehicle flag?

A vehicle flag is a hold placed on your vehicle record by MVA or another agency when there's an unresolved issue. You must remove the vehicle flag before the MVA can process your vehicle registration or transfer a title. For flags originating from a government agency such as toll violations, speeding citations and parking fines, the MVA places an additional Administrative Flag on your vehicle record.  

Common types of vehicle flags

  • Insurance Lapse or Compliance Issue Flags
  • Jurisdictional Flags - Unpaid tolls, speeding citations, or parking fines
  • Administrative Flags - A $30 Administrative Fee applied to all Jurisdictional Flags
  • Vehicle Emissions Flags - Failure to complete required vehicle emissions testing
  • Returned payments or other unresolved transactions

How to find out if you have a vehicle flag

You can check for vehicle flags:

  • MVA will send an email notification approximately 30 days after a flag has been placed on your vehicle record.
  • 70 days prior to your registration expiration MVA will send a email notice that details what flags need to be paid before you can renew your vehicle's registration.  
  • Through the myMVA Flag Lookup Tool
  • By contacting the MVA

If you see a flag message during an online transaction, you must resolve the issue before proceeding.

How to remove a vehicle flag

How to remove a vehicle flag

  1. Identify the flag type

    Review the notice or message to see what type of flag is listed. Each flag has specific requirements for removal.

  2. Resolve the issue

    Depending on the flag type, you may need to:

    • Provide proof of valid insurance
    • Pay outstanding tolls or fines
    • Complete an emissions inspection
    • Resolve a payment issue

    In some cases, you may need to work with another agency before the flag can be cleared.

    Insurance flags

    Maryland law requires continuous vehicle insurance coverage. If your flag is insurance-related, you must provide valid proof of insurance that meets Maryland requirements. Learn about auto insurance requirements in Maryland.

    Inspections & other compliance flags

    If your flag is related to emissions or safety inspections, complete the required inspection and make sure the results are reported to the MVA.

    Some compliance flags may take additional time to clear.

     

  3. Confirm the flag has been removed

    After resolving the issue, allow 3-5 business days for the records to update. Some flags clear automatically. Others require confirmation from the MVA.

    Do not attempt to complete another transaction until the flag is removed. 

    If a flag remains after you believe it was resolved, contact the MVA for assistance.

Questions? We can help.

Contact us if you have questions or need more information.

Contact MVA