Titles & Registration for Emergency & Service Vehicles

Authorize an emergency or service vehicle

Authorization is separate from titling and registration. You may apply for authorization by itself or at the same time you title or register the vehicle.

Use of lights, sirens & emergency signals

The MVA must authorize a vehicle before it can use:

• Emergency lights
• Sirens, bells or whistles
• Other emergency signal equipment

Apply for authorization

Ways to apply

You can apply for authorization:

• By mail to the MVA Special Plates Unit, or
• In person at any MVA branch office, or
• Through an MVA-licensed tag and title service

Application form

You'll need to submit an Application for Approval of Emergency or Service Vehicles (VR-026) - PDF - 138.92 KB.

Here are some tips on completing this form:

• Check Emergency or Service at the top
• One form may be used for multiple vehicles of the same type
• Use separate forms if applying for both emergency and service vehicles

More documents you may need

• Application for Special Tags for Authorized Emergency Vehicles (emergency vehicles only) (VR-026) - PDF - 138.92 KB
• Lease agreement (if leased)
• Power of Attorney (VR-470) - PDF - 177.93 KB if the vehicle is leased or someone other than the owner signs
• A copy of the owner's state ID

Keep your proof of authorization 

If your vehicle is authorized by the MVA, you'll receive an approved copy of the application. You must keep it in the vehicle at all times.

Emergency vehicle vs. service vehicle 

Emergency vehicles

An emergency vehicle has:

• A siren, bell, or exhaust whistle
• Flashing red, white, and/or blue lights

Examples of emergency vehicles:

• Ambulance
• Fire department or rescue squad vehicle
• Law enforcement vehicle
• Organ delivery vehicle
• State vehicle for hazardous materials

Service vehicles

A service vehicle has:

• No siren
• Flashing or rotating amber lights only

Examples of service vehicles

• Law enforcement vehicles
• Public service company vehicles
• Vehicles used for government work

Register an ambulance (class C)

An ambulance is an emergency vehicle under Maryland law. It must be:

1. Authorized as an emergency vehicle, and
2. Registered as a Class C ambulance

Ways to apply

You can register an ambulence:

• In person at any MVA branch office
• By mail
• Through an MVA-licensed tag and title service (service fees may apply)

Required documents

• Correct application form:
  • Maryland title (if titling and registering at the same time), or
  • Application for Certificate of Title (out-of-state title), or
  • Application for New Plates/Stickers & Transfer of Plates or Non-Title Trailers (already titled in MD)
• Application for Approval of Emergency or Service Vehicles (ambulances must be authorized)
• Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, if required

Fees

There is no fee for emergency or service vehicle authorization.

If you title or register the vehicle at the same time, standard fees may apply, such as:

• Title fee
• Excise tax
• Lien filing fee

Excise tax exemption for authorized ambulances

See Md. Code, Transportation Article § 13-810 for excise tax exemptions.

Excise tax is not required if an ambulance:

• Is authorized as an emergency vehicle, and
• Is owned or leased by:
  • A political subdivision of the state, or
  • A volunteer fire company, or
  • A rescue squad

Special emergency license plates

Authorized emergency vehicles may apply for special emergency license plates by submitting the Application for Special Tag for Authorized Emergency Vehicles.

Service vehicles are not eligible for these plates.