Overview
Maryland also treats license plates differently than many states: they belong to the person, not the car. When you sell, you take your plates off before handing over the keys - either transfer them to a replacement vehicle you own or return them to the MVA - and the buyer gets new plates only once they've titled the vehicle in their own name. Dealers issue 60-day temporary tags on a sale; buying private-party, you can get a 30-day temporary tag from the MVA yourself while the paperwork gets sorted.
01 - Official fees
Maryland title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of title, standard vehicle | $200 | |
| Certificate of title, rental vehicle | $100 | |
| Certificate of title, moped/motor scooter | $40 | |
| Security interest filing (lien) | $40 | per lien recorded |
| Safety inspection | $75–$150 | waived for spouse-to-spouse and parent-child transfers only |
| 60-day dealer temporary tag | Included with dealer sale | |
| 30-day individual temporary tag | MVA fee applies |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Maryland MVA - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a Maryland title
- 1
Get the vehicle through inspection (unless the spouse/parent-child exemption applies) - the certificate is valid 90 days.
- 2
Have the seller sign the title's assignment (or complete a notarized VR-181 Bill of Sale if the title itself can't be signed over cleanly).
- 3
Complete the Application for Certificate of Title (VR-005) with your information and any lienholder's details.
- 4
Bring the paperwork, ID, and proof of insurance to an MVA branch or licensed tag & title service.
- 5
Pay the $200 title fee (plus $40 if there's a lien) and the excise tax due; remove your old plates if you're the seller keeping them.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Maryland vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Maryland title transfer FAQ
How much does a Maryland title transfer cost?
$200 for the title itself, plus $40 if a lender's lien needs to be recorded. That's separate from the 6.5% excise tax and any registration fee due - the full transaction typically runs into the thousands once tax is included, but the title paperwork alone is $200–$240.
Does every used car need an inspection to change hands?
Almost every one. The only exemptions are transfers between spouses, between a parent and child (either direction), and removing a co-owner's name from an existing title. Siblings, grandparents, and even qualifying gift-tax-exempt relatives under VR-103 still need the safety inspection - the tax exemption list is broader than the inspection exemption list.
What do I do with my plates when I sell my car in Maryland?
Take them off before the buyer drives away - Maryland plates are issued to you, not permanently tied to the vehicle. Either move them onto another vehicle you own (same registration class, no lapse in ownership) or return them to the MVA. The buyer gets their own new plates once they title the car.
How long can I drive on a temporary tag before the title has to be final?
A licensed dealer can issue one 60-day temporary registration plate on a sale, after having the vehicle safety-inspected first. Buying from a private seller, you can request a 30-day temporary tag from the MVA yourself while the title and inspection paperwork comes together.
Is there a hard deadline before penalties apply to a private-party title transfer?
The MVA doesn't publish a fixed penalty schedule for private buyers the way it does for dealers (who face escalating late-title fines starting the day after a 30-day window). Still, you can't legally drive without valid registration once any temporary tag expires, so treat the paperwork as urgent regardless.
Can I transfer a title without visiting an MVA branch?
Many transactions can go through a licensed tag & title service - a private business authorized to process MVA title work for a service fee - which is often faster than a branch appointment. New titles for a purchase aren't handled through myMVA Online Services; that's mainly for renewals.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.