What Maryland License Plate Options Are Available
Maryland offers three main categories of license plates: standard plates (the default option), specialty plates (which support specific causes or organizations), and personalized plates (where you choose the characters). You don't have to pick the standard plate — most drivers can choose a specialty plate at no extra cost, or add personalization for an additional fee.
The standard Maryland plate displays the state flag and the slogan "The Old Line State." It's what you get automatically when you register a vehicle unless you request something different. Specialty plates look different and often feature logos or designs related to their cause — examples include plates supporting the University of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay, or veterans. Personalized plates let you replace the standard letter-and-number sequence with a custom combination you choose, up to seven characters.
Your choice affects only the appearance of your plate and, in some cases, the registration fee. It does not change how the state tracks your vehicle, your insurance rates, or your legal obligations on the road.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland's standard plate is free and automatic, but you can request a specialty plate or personalized plate instead when you register or renew.
- Specialty plates often cost the same as standard plates, though some support specific organizations and may direct a portion of the fee to that cause.
- Personalized plates cost extra (the fee varies by how many characters you want) and require you to choose a combination that is not already in use.
- You can switch from a standard plate to a specialty or personalized plate at your next renewal, or in some cases by visiting the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration in person.
- Vanity plates and specialty plates must still be readable from a distance and cannot contain obscene language or impersonate government plates.
Standard Maryland License Plates
The standard plate is what most Maryland drivers have. It displays the state flag on the left side, followed by a combination of three letters and three numbers (or similar sequences depending on when your vehicle was registered). The plate reads "The Old Line State" at the bottom. There is no cost to keep a standard plate, and you do not need to request it — it comes with your registration.
If you have a standard plate and want to switch to something else, you can do so at your next registration renewal. You can also request a new plate before your renewal date by visiting a Motor Vehicle Administration office or submitting a request through the Maryland MVA website, though this may involve a small fee for the replacement plate itself.
Specialty Plates and What They Support
Maryland offers dozens of specialty plates, each with a unique design. Common options include plates supporting the University of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, breast cancer awareness, veterans, and the state police. Some specialty plates direct a portion of the registration fee to the organization they represent, while others straightforward feature that organization's logo or message.
The registration fee for most specialty plates is the same as for a standard plate. A few specialty plates may cost slightly more, but the Maryland MVA website lists the exact fee for each option before you commit. You choose your specialty plate when you register a new vehicle or at your next renewal. If you want to switch specialty plates — for example, from a University of Maryland plate to a Chesapeake Bay plate — you can do so at renewal or by visiting an MVA office.
To see the full list of available specialty plates, visit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration website and search for "specialty plates." The site shows photos of each design and explains which organization, if any, receives a portion of your fee.
Personalized and Vanity Plates
A personalized plate lets you choose the characters instead of accepting the random sequence assigned by the state. You can use up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a combination. The cost is higher than a standard or most specialty plates; the exact fee depends on the length and type of combination you choose and is listed on the Maryland MVA website.
Not every combination you want is available. The MVA maintains a list of reserved combinations (often those that spell words or phrases the state does not allow) and combinations already in use by other drivers. You can check availability on the Maryland MVA website by entering your desired combination. If it is taken, you will need to choose something else.
Maryland has rules about what personalized plates can display. Your combination cannot be obscene, cannot impersonate a government plate, and must remain readable from a distance. The MVA reviews all personalized plate requests before approving them. If your request is denied, the MVA will explain why and you can submit a different combination.
How to Request a Specialty or Personalized Plate
For a new vehicle registration, you can choose your plate type when you complete the registration form — online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. The form will ask whether you want a standard, specialty, or personalized plate, and if personalized, what combination you want.
At renewal time, Maryland sends you a renewal notice. If you want to change your plate type, you can request the change when you renew. You can renew online through the Maryland MVA website (if you are renewing a standard plate with no changes), by mail, or in person. If you are switching to a specialty or personalized plate, doing it in person or by mail is usually simpler because the form gives you more options to choose from.
If you want to change your plate before your renewal date, you can visit a Motor Vehicle Administration office and request a replacement plate. There is a fee for the replacement plate itself (separate from any specialty or personalization fee), but this option is available if you do not want to wait until renewal.
Costs and Fees for Each Plate Type
Standard plates have no additional cost beyond your regular registration fee. Specialty plates typically cost the same as standard plates, though a small number may have a slightly higher fee — the Maryland MVA website lists the exact cost for each specialty plate option.
Personalized plates cost more than standard plates. The fee varies based on the length and type of combination (for example, a seven-character personalized plate costs more than a four-character one). You can see the exact fee structure on the Maryland MVA website before you request a personalized plate.
If you want to replace a plate before your renewal date — whether because you are switching from standard to specialty, or because your plate is damaged — there is a separate replacement plate fee. This fee is the same regardless of which type of plate you are getting.
Rules and Restrictions for Maryland Plates
All Maryland plates, whether standard, specialty, or personalized, must be clearly visible and readable from a distance. You cannot obscure, cover, or alter your plate in any way. If your plate becomes faded, damaged, or hard to read, you should request a replacement.
Personalized plates cannot contain obscene language, slurs, or content that the MVA determines to be offensive. They also cannot impersonate government plates (for example, you cannot use a combination that looks like a police or official state plate). The MVA reviews every personalized plate request and will deny requests that violate these rules.
You must display your plate on both the front and rear of your vehicle, except in rare cases where Maryland law allows a rear-only plate. Your registration and insurance must match the vehicle that displays the plate. If you sell your vehicle, the plate stays with you (if personalized) or reverts to the state (if standard or specialty), depending on your choice at the time of sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my personalized plate if I buy a new car?
Yes. When you sell or trade in your vehicle, you can transfer your personalized plate to your new vehicle. You will need to complete a transfer form at an MVA office or through the mail. There may be a small transfer fee. Standard and specialty plates do not transfer — they stay with the vehicle.
What happens if someone else gets the personalized plate I want?
If the combination you want is already in use, you cannot have it. The Maryland MVA website will tell you whether a combination is available before you submit your request. You will need to choose a different combination. If you are set on a particular message, try variations — for example, if "MARYLAND" is taken, you might try "MD1LAND" or "MARYLD1".
Can I change my specialty plate to a different specialty plate at renewal?
Yes. At renewal time, you can switch from one specialty plate to another at no extra cost (beyond your regular registration fee). You straightforward indicate your new choice on the renewal form. If you want to switch before your renewal date, you can visit an MVA office and request a replacement plate, which will have a replacement fee.
Do personalized plates cost more to insure?
No. Your insurance rate is based on your vehicle, driving history, and coverage choices — not on the type of plate you have. A personalized plate does not affect your insurance cost, though it does cost more upfront to purchase and maintain.
What if my personalized plate request is denied?
The Maryland MVA will explain why your request was denied — usually because the combination is obscene, impersonates a government plate, or is already in use. You can submit a new request with a different combination. There is no limit to how many times you can try, but you will pay the personalization fee each time you submit a new request.