Motor Vehicles

Military Personnel Temporarily Stationed in Maryland

• If you are not establishing residency because you are only temporarily stationed in Maryland and you are a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the United States Public Health Service and you are on active duty in this State or an adjoining state or the District of Columbia, you do not need to register your passenger vehicle in this State if your vehicle is currently registered in your state of residence.
• If you are establishing residency in Maryland, you must title and register your vehicle within one year of moving to Maryland. If you delay beyond one year, you will not be eligible for a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state, and you may be subject to a citation for an out-of-state registration.

Members of the armed forces are exempt from acquiring a Maryland driver's license if they have a valid driver's license from the service member's state of domicile.

Access complete information on insurance, driver's licensing, and where and how to register your vehicle by visiting Maryland's Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. Under Maryland's Child Passenger Safety Law, a child who is zero to eight years old and is shorter than 4'9" must be secured in a child safety seat. Every child nine to 16 years of age, who is not secured in a child safety seat, must wear a vehicle seat belt.

Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle, you must comply with those laws. Visit MDOT for more information.

Many States and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. All Maryland drivers are prohibited from using a Cell Phone without a Hands Free Device while operating a motor vehicle. 

Learn more about motor vehicle laws and safety regulations by visiting Maryland's Department of Motor Vehicles.