Maryland drivers renew their vehicle tags every two years, so they can keep driving legally on public roads. From sedans to convertibles, from pick up trucks to motorcycles, from RVs and motorhomes, all vehicles need to be registered. Renewed tags consists of a new registration card and sticker.
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Typically, an MD driver will get a Maryland MVA tags renewal notice about two months before their registration expires; at which time he or she can renew. The process can be a hassle at times, but eTags Maryland is here to help! Keep reading for some of the common questions and answers for easy shortcuts to the information and details you need to process your Maryland MVA tag renewal.
What’s the easiest way to renew your MD car registration?
There are several ways to renew your tag, the easiest would depend on you and your preferences. While some don’t mind renewing by telephone, some prefer to renew online.
Here’s where you can renew your Maryland tag:
• In person, at a full-service MDOT MVA office
• In person, at an MVA Kiosk located in MVA locations
• By phone, at 1.410.768.7000 and follow instructions
• Online, with the MVA if your personal info hasn’t changed
• Online, with eTags to get a digital copy you can use temporarily
and pay-over-time options
• By mail, with the MVA
• In person, at a County Treasurer’s Office
*Note that due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many MDOT MVA offices operate by appointment only.
What are the different benefits from the various ways to renew tags?
Depending on the route you take for renewing tags, you may have some benefits that other options don’t. For example, should you choose to renew with MDOT’s MVA online option and want to pay by check instead of credit card, you’ll have to give the MVA your bank’s checking account number as well as a routing number. Money orders and travelers checks aren’t accepted. Also, your tag will be sent to the address the MVA has on file for you.
If you choose to renew in person, at an MVA kiosk, note that you can only do so if the name, address, insurance and vehicle information printed on the registration renewal notice you received hasn’t changed. The same rule applies for renewing by phone.
If you renew by mail, you may need a power of attorney if trying to renew a tag for a company car.
How renewing registration with eTags different?
But, let’s say you choose to renew you MD tag with eTags, then we can send you renewed registration to whatever shipping address you want. So if you’re staying somewhere else due to temporarily working in another MD county or you’re in another state due to COVID-19, eTags can send your renewal wherever you are.
eTags also gives you:
• Access to an instant digital download of your registration while you wait for the physical tag in the mail
• The chance to renew tag for all sorts of vehicles from sedans to SUVs to trailers, RVs, motorhomes, motorcycles, and more
• Sticker or plate replacement for free if stolen, for every year you renew tag
• A customer service team that can discover, address and sometimes even solve issues that may stop your renewal such as tolls, parking tickets, and a suspended license
• Emails and text messages to remind you when it’s time to renew
• Peace of mind with over 400,000 ratings and 4.7 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction
• Refer a friend program for Amazon gift card (seasonal)
What documents are needed for tag renewal in MD?
Virtually any way you choose to renew will require some paperwork. You’ll need your current registration card or notice, the vehicle’s VIN, auto insurance, driver’s license, title number, proof of passing emissions test, and license plate number. Name, address and other personal information too.
What happens if you have expired tags in Maryland?
A person can obtain penalties for driving an unregistered vehicle and negatively impact their driving record. Whether a car was never registered, has expired plates, or the registration was previously suspended or revoked, driving such a vehicle can result in a fine of up to $500.
SEE ALSO: CAN YOU GET PULLED OVER FOR EXPIRED TAGS?
How does the MVA’s vehicle emission inspection (VEIP) work?
Maryland need your help to cut down on car pollution. Before you renew your registration in MD, you need to ensure it passed the safety inspection. This is required before any used cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, special equipment, class “B” for-hire vehicles, and class “L” (historic) vehicles with a 1986 model year of later can be titled and registered in Maryland.
Every two years, you’ll have to have the vehicle inspected at one of the VEIP stations in MD and make repairs if your car doesn’t pass the emissions test. The first re-test is free if you discuss the test results before you leave and get your car re-tested by the due date. The VEIP significantly reduces vehicle emissions contributing to the city’s air quality problem of ground-level ozone which contributes to excess smog.
There are about 18 centralized MVA inspection stations and 10 self-service kiosks across 13 counties and Baltimore City. The fee for emission testing is about $14.At some point during your two-year registration period, you’ll get an MVA notice asking you to get your car emissions inspected. You have eight weeks to have vehicle tested.
*Note that due to COVID-19, some VEIP stations are closed. You can call 1.800.950.1682 or email the MVA directly at veiponline@mdot.maryland.gov
Right now, the Annapolis and Bel Air self-service station is open, as well as the Glen Burnie and Waldorf branch.
40 comments
I have a car that was in an accident a few years ago. The MD tags expired a few years back as well. I do not intend to put the car back on the road, so I took the tags off to return them but lost them. Still have insurance on the car. What should I do about the tags/insurance? Can I cancel the insurance without a receipt from MVA since the tags were expired?
The best bet is to contact MVA and let them know the tags are lost. The general rule is that before canceling insurance, you always have to turn the tags into MVA. Since you don’t have it, you want to keep the MVA in the loop about what’s going on with their tags.
My tags expired 5 months ago but I’ve kept insurance i just forgot will i still be able to renew my tags or will i have to redo it all over again as if i just got it and have to get it inspected
Hi there! In Maryland, there’s a 3-month grace period after your registration has expired that you can renew. Past that, you’ll need a new registration. Either way, you can complete either of those services on our website here. If you decide to do this online with eTags, please let me know and I can see your order through! I can be reached at sara@etags.com. I hope this helps!
Hi i guess you heard this question before but my tags for my small trailer expires at the end of 6.30.22 but I’d paid it on my phone no computer will I get it before this month is up by mail or go to MBA and get it in person thanks for you time
That would depend on the instructions given by phone. eTags is a digital registration and title company, we are not the MVA. If you did give an email address, perhaps they sent you communications. You can try calling their call center
410-768-7000
I have a 2018 toyota corolla and the temp tags expired december 2020 i was not able to register because i had tax issues. Now the taxes are paid as of 5/7/2022. my question is how much will mva penalize me and how much
There is no penalty for the time lapse. It will be the regular renewal fee. For renewals online go to eTgas.
My tags were confiscated from local police and taking to mva. I’ve since then setup a payment plan with them. Is there a way to get temp tags or a new plate from legal 3rd parties or some station so I won’t risk going to jail on my way to work?
No, if your tags were removed by the police it’s in the system with a flag. That stops you from getting any more plates until all of the flags are removed.
my tags expired, the car is being dismantled for parts do I need to carry insurance until I turn in my tags or can i cancel coverage and since the car wont be driven turn in tags whenever?
This is on MVA’s website: Do not cancel your insurance until you are sure your insurance until you are sure that MDOT MVA has received your license plates. Failure to do so could result in fines.
Hello. My brother’s MD tags are expired, insurance has been cancelled & the car has been sitting inoperable for about 5 years. Is he required to turn in the plates and will he be fined? Thank you
Here’s a link to the MVA on that topic
I received new tags and registration. Yet, my vehicle was in the car repair shop from an accident. Then, after two months
past the car was considered a total loss with old tags and registration still on vehicle. Now
my registration just expired by two
days. what my next step, not to get a fine!
There’s no fine for expired tags if not on a car. You can return the tags to Mva then get new tags when you purchase another vehicle.
Do I have to turn in expired tags?
Maryland law requires you to return your license plates to MDOT MVA when they are no longer needed. This article will give you more details on how and where.
I have the same question. Tags ran out yesterday and I am selling car. Do I need to turn expired tags in before dropping insurance?
Do not cancel your insurance until you are sure that MDOT MVA has received your license plates. Failure to do so could result in fines.
Hi. I have a 5th wheel camper with tags expiring this month. I dont plan to use it in 2022, just sitting in my driveway. Do I need to renew tags now? Will there be a penalty when we go to renew/travel again next year? Thanks!
You can remove the tags and return them to the MVA. You can also contact the insurance and get a lower rate for that time period. Or you can keep the tags on without renewing keep the insurance paid during this time. When you’re ready to drive again, renew the tags.
I renewed my registration weeks ago I check has been changed and cleared but I have not received my tags
They expire tomorrow
Now what
Hello there, did you order a registration renewal with eTags? Bc if so, we can check the status
Hey I bought a car and my temp registration expired on Jan 15 2022 it’s Jan 30 th I had fee that Ccu that I paid online can I still use your service
No it’s better for you to deal with whoever handled your registration, since the Ccu will place different fees and payments on a person’s account
My registration was suspended on a vehicle that could not pass emissions so I sold it. To get new tags for my new vehicle I have to get the suspension removed. What do I do?
Once you turn in the tags for the vehicle that was sold, the suspension is no longer there.You shouldn’t have issues with getting new tags for the new vehicle.
Why is my registration only good for 1 year?
Hi there! If you only chose a 1-year renewal, then the MVA will only renew your registration for 1 year.
Do you service disabled vets with tag renewal since there is no fee?
We may be able to process your registration renewal if the MVA returns a $0 fee. To confirm, please email support@etags.com and provide your plate number.
Is there a grace period for renewal of registration?
You have 30 days after your Maryland registration has expired before penalties fees are added.
What if your insurance never lapsed but your tags did expire? The car has been sitting in my garage as it doesn’t run
Hello there, can you please clarify your question
My 135.00 was taken out of my account on 11-5-20 and I have not recieved my new registration or stickers. My tags expired on 12-31-20. What do i do ?
Hey there, we believe you registered with MDOT MVA, and not eTgas which is a private company online. If you did place the order with the MVA, you can contact them at: 800-950-1682 or visit them online at: http://www.mva.maryland.gov.
I renewed my tags on 12/22/20. I renewed it on my smartphone, and couldn’t figure out how to print the sticker. Can you help? Thank you
Hey there, I’m not sure who you registered with? Perhaps contact the company or MD DMV directly…I would assume they’re sending the sticker by mail, but not sure.