License Plates, Vehicle Registration & Drivers Licenses
License Plates
Maryland offers veterans a variety of military related license plates. Plates are available for passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, motorcycles and trucks (10,000 lbs or less). To apply for these plates, you must submit the followig:
and one of the following:
- Discharge papers (Form DD-214)
- Medal Certification
- Written proof from National Personnel Records Center
Click here to view available military related plates.
Maryland also offers a series of special order license plates. To order these, please contact the MVA. Click here to view the special order plates.
Gold Star Plate
The Gold Star Plate is available to individuals who are the surviving spouse, parent, child or a sibling of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and lost his or her life. For complete details visit the Gold Star Family page of the MVA website.
Vehicle Regsitration
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. For more information visit the MVA website.
Military Personnel - Maryland Resident Temporarily Stationed Outside of Maryland
If you purchase a used vehicle while stationed outside of Maryland and want to title it, you may complete Section A and B of the "Temporary Inspection Waiver" (form VR-129) and submit it with your documentation to title the vehicle. The waiver allows you to title and temporarily register a used vehicle in Maryland without having the vehicle undergo a Maryland Safety Inspection. When you return to Maryland, the vehicle must be immediately inspected. The military personnel inspection waiver is valid for two years and may be renewed if necessary (if still stationed out-of-state). For more information visit the MVA website.
Maryland Residents - Active Military
Maryland residents in the military may record their out-of-state/country address on file with the MVA by completing an "Address Certification United States Government Employee form" (form VR-102). This form must be completed in its entirety and returned to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, 6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062.
Driver's Licensing
Active Duty Military Personnel and their Dependents Currently Holding a MD Driver's License
Maryland driver's licenses remain in effect for active members of the armed forces and their dependents (who reside with the active member outside of Maryland), while they are absent from Maryland. The licensees have 30 days after they return to Maryland, or when they are discharged or separated from active service, to visit an MVA office for their license renewals. For complete information visit the MVA website.
For a list of requirements for military personnel possessing an out-of-state license wishing to obtain a Maryland driver's license or photo identification card or military personnel exchanging an Armed Forces license for a Maryland license, please visit the MVA website.