Maryland registration renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) lets you renew your vehicle registration through three routes: the MVA website, the mail, or a walk-in visit to a local MVA office. Most people renew online because it takes 10 minutes and you can do it from home. Your registration renewal notice arrives 60 days before expiration, and you can renew up to 6 months before that date. You'll need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration card, and a payment method.

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's weight and type. A standard passenger car typically costs between $135 and $180 for a two-year registration, but the exact amount appears on your renewal notice. If your vehicle has changed ownership, you cannot renew — you'll need to register it as a new vehicle instead. If you've moved and your address on file is outdated, update it before renewing or the new registration card will arrive at the wrong address.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at mva.maryland.gov, by mail using your renewal notice, or in person at any MVA office without an appointment.
  • Renewal notices arrive 60 days before expiration, and you can renew up to 6 months early to avoid late fees.
  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new registration card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you renew after your registration expires, you'll owe a late fee in addition to the standard renewal cost.
  • Address changes must be made before renewal, or your new card will be mailed to an outdated location.

Renewing online through the MVA website

Go to mva.maryland.gov and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the home page. You'll enter your VIN, the last four digits of your vehicle identification number, and your renewal notice number (found on the notice the MVA mailed you). The system will pull up your vehicle record and show the renewal fee. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Once payment clears, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen.

Your new registration card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. During that time, you can drive legally with your old card and the confirmation email. If you need to print a temporary registration, the MVA website offers that option after you complete payment. Online renewal is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there are no appointment requirements or office wait times.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

Your renewal notice includes a payment envelope and instructions. Fill out the form on the back of the notice, enclose a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address printed on the envelope. Do not send cash. The MVA processes mail renewals in the order they arrive, typically within 10 to 15 business days from receipt.

Mail renewal works well if you prefer not to go online or visit an office, but it takes longer than online renewal because of postal delivery time both ways. Send your payment at least three weeks before your registration expires to avoid late fees. If your renewal notice was lost or never arrived, you can request a duplicate by calling the MVA at 410-768-7000 or visiting an office in person.

Renewing in person at an MVA office

Walk into any Maryland MVA office with your current registration card, VIN, and payment method. No appointment is needed for registration renewal. Bring a government-issued photo ID. The staff will process your renewal on the spot, and you'll receive a temporary registration document valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed to you. The new card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

In-person renewal is useful if you need to update your address, correct vehicle information, or handle other registration issues at the same time. MVA offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some locations have extended hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the week or early in the morning typically means shorter lines. Find your nearest office and hours at mva.maryland.gov.

Late fees and what happens if you miss the expiration date

If your registration expires before you renew, you owe a late fee on top of the standard renewal cost. The late fee is $25 for renewals up to 30 days past expiration, and $50 for renewals more than 30 days past expiration. You cannot legally drive with an expired registration, and law enforcement can cite you. Renew as soon as possible after expiration to minimize the fee.

If your registration has been expired for more than one year, the MVA may require you to re-register the vehicle instead of straightforward renewing. Contact the MVA at 410-768-7000 to confirm what you need to do. Paying the late fee and renewing does not remove the citation from your driving record if you were stopped while expired — that is a separate matter handled by the court.

Address changes and other updates before renewal

If you've moved since your last registration, update your address before renewing. You can change your address online at mva.maryland.gov, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. If you renew without updating your address first, your new registration card will be mailed to the old address and you'll have to request a duplicate. Changing your address takes 5 to 10 business days when done by mail or online.

If your vehicle information has changed — such as a new paint color, engine swap, or major repair — you may need to update your registration record before renewal. Contact the MVA to confirm whether your specific change requires an update. Changes to vehicle ownership cannot be handled through renewal; you'll need to register the vehicle under the new owner's name.

What to do if you lost your renewal notice

Request a duplicate renewal notice by calling the MVA at 410-768-7000 or visiting an office in person. You'll need your VIN and current registration card number. The MVA can email or mail you a new notice, or you can proceed with online renewal without the notice if you have your VIN and the last four digits of your vehicle identification number. Online renewal does not require the notice number if you have those details.

If you cannot locate your current registration card, bring your VIN and a government-issued photo ID to an MVA office and staff can look up your registration record. You can then renew in person or request a duplicate card. There is no fee for a duplicate registration card if it was lost or damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle has a lien on it?

Yes. A lien does not prevent renewal. The lienholder's name may appear on your registration card, but that does not affect your ability to renew. Pay the renewal fee and proceed as normal through any of the three methods.

What if I sell my vehicle before the registration expires?

You do not need to renew a registration for a vehicle you no longer own. The new owner must register it in their name. If you've already paid for a renewal that you no longer need, contact the MVA about a refund; policies vary depending on how close you are to the expiration date.

How long is a Maryland vehicle registration valid?

Maryland registrations are valid for two years from the date of renewal. Your expiration date is printed on your registration card. You can renew up to 6 months before expiration to avoid any gap in coverage.

Do I need to renew my registration if I only drive my vehicle occasionally?

Yes. Registration is required whether you drive the vehicle daily or rarely. Expired registration is illegal to drive on public roads, even if the vehicle sits in your driveway most of the time. Renew before the expiration date to avoid late fees and citations.

Can I renew online if I'm not a Maryland resident?

If your vehicle is registered in Maryland, you can renew online regardless of where you live. You'll need your VIN, renewal notice number, and a valid payment method. The new registration card will be mailed to the address on file with the MVA.