Maryland car registration renews every two years on your birthday month

Your Maryland registration expires on the last day of your birth month, two years after you first registered the vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) mails a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for it to renew. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office starting up to six months before your expiration date.

The fastest method is online through the MVA website if your vehicle has no safety or emissions issues and you have not had a change in ownership. If you renew before your registration expires, your new expiration date will be two years from your current expiration date — not two years from the renewal date. This means you do not lose time by renewing early.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland registration renews every two years in your birth month, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office.
  • Online renewal costs $109 for most passenger vehicles and takes about 10 minutes if you have your current registration card and a valid payment method.
  • You cannot renew online if your vehicle failed an emissions test, needs a safety inspection, or if there has been a change in ownership or address.
  • The MVA mails renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you do not need to wait for the notice to renew.
  • Renewing after your registration has already expired costs an additional $25 late fee on top of the standard renewal fee.

Renewing online through the MVA website

Go to mva.maryland.gov and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the home page. You will need your current registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a valid credit or debit card. The system will ask for your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. Once you complete payment, the MVA emails a temporary registration document that you can print or save to your phone. This temporary registration is valid for 30 days while the MVA processes your renewal and mails your new registration card. You should receive the physical card within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal costs $109 for most passenger vehicles. The fee varies slightly for motorcycles ($84), commercial vehicles, and vehicles over 26,000 pounds. If you are renewing after your registration has expired, add a $25 late fee to the total.

Renewing by mail or in person

If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can send it back with your payment. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee plus any late fee if applicable. Mail it to the address shown on the notice. Processing by mail takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the MVA receives it, so plan ahead if your expiration date is approaching.

You can also renew in person at any MVA office. Bring your current registration card, proof of a valid Maryland safety inspection (if required), and proof of emissions testing (if required). Payment can be made by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. In-person renewal is when ready — you walk out with a temporary registration document and receive your physical card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Find your nearest MVA office and check hours on the MVA website. Some offices accept walk-ins, while others operate by appointment only. During peak times, wait times at offices can be 30 minutes to over an hour, so arriving early or scheduling an appointment online can save time.

When you cannot renew online

The online system will not allow you to complete renewal if your vehicle failed an emissions test in the past two years. You must renew in person at an MVA office and bring proof that your vehicle has passed a new emissions test. Similarly, if your vehicle is due for a safety inspection and has not had one within the past 12 months, you cannot renew online — you must get the inspection first, then renew in person or by mail.

You also cannot renew online if there has been a change in ownership, a change in your address, or if you need to add or remove a lienholder (such as a bank or finance company). In these cases, you must renew in person at an MVA office and bring the required documents for your specific situation.

If your registration card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate while renewing. This adds $5 to your renewal fee and can be done online, by mail, or in person.

Safety inspections and emissions testing requirements

Maryland requires a safety inspection every 12 months. Your inspection is valid for 13 months from the date it is performed. If your inspection expires before your registration renews, you must get a new one before you can renew your registration. Any state-licensed inspection station can perform this test — you do not have to go to a specific location.

Emissions testing is required every two years for most vehicles registered in the Baltimore-Washington area and some other regions. Vehicles in other parts of Maryland may not require emissions testing. The MVA website shows which counties require testing. If your vehicle is subject to emissions testing and has not passed within the past two years, you cannot renew online — you must get tested first, then renew in person or by mail.

What happens if your registration expires

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Maryland. If you are stopped by police, you face a citation and a fine. You cannot legally operate the vehicle until your registration is renewed. If your registration has already expired, you can still renew it, but a $25 late fee is added to the standard renewal fee.

If your registration expired more than a few months ago, the MVA may require you to renew in person rather than online. Contact the MVA at 410-787-7758 or visit an office to find out what documents you need to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle is financed or leased?

Yes. If a bank or finance company holds a lien on your vehicle, their name appears on your registration card. You can renew online as long as there is no change to the lienholder. If you paid off the loan or changed lenders, you must renew in person at an MVA office and bring proof of the change.

What if I move to a different state while my Maryland registration is still valid?

You must register your vehicle in your new state within a set time frame, usually 30 to 60 days. You do not renew your Maryland registration. Contact your new state's motor vehicle department for registration requirements.

Can someone else renew my registration for me?

Yes, by mail or in person. If renewing by mail, sign the renewal notice and send it with payment. If renewing in person, the other person must bring your current registration card and a signed power of attorney or notarized letter giving them permission. Online renewal requires your personal identity verification, so you must do it yourself.

How do I know if my vehicle needs an emissions test?

Check the MVA website or your renewal notice. Your notice will state whether testing is required. If you are unsure, call the MVA at 410-787-7758 or visit an office. Generally, vehicles in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties require emissions testing.

What if I lost my registration card?

You can request a duplicate when you renew for an additional $5 fee. If you need a duplicate before your renewal date, you can request one separately at an MVA office or by mail. Bring your vehicle title or current registration card as proof of ownership.