Vehicle Registration Exemptions - Maryland

Exemption permit for a foreign registered vehicle driven by a nonresident to transport seasonal farm workers

If a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is registered in another state, displays current registration plates issued for it by that state, and is brought into Maryland by a nonresident for transporting seasonal farm workers to be employed on farms in Maryland or for work incidental to seasonal crop operations on farms in Maryland, the vehicle need not be registered:

• The vehicle is being used as an incidental part of harvesting operations within not more than 35 miles from the source of the crop; and
• The owner of the vehicle has obtained an exemption permit for the vehicle.

The exemption permit must be always carried by the driver of the vehicle for which it is issued or in a conspicuous place on the vehicle.

The permit is:

• Valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issue; and
• Eligible for renewal for no more than 90 days in any one calendar year.

The Secretary of State Police:

• May require a certificate of inspection of the equipment of the vehicle; and
• Must require a certificate of insurance by a company authorized to do business in Maryland, certifying that the vehicle is insured to the same extent as required of vehicles registered in Maryland.

Vehicle owned by member of U.S. Congress

Except for members elected from this State, if a member of the United States Congress resides in Maryland during his term of office in the Congress, he need not register his vehicles in Maryland during that time.

Foreign registered trailer or semitrailer in intrastate service

If a trailer or semitrailer operated in intrastate service need not be registered in Maryland if:

• It is registered in another state;
• The truck tractor or other vehicle that is towing it is registered in Maryland; and T
• he registered owner of the truck tractor or other towing vehicle has at least one trailer or semitrailer registered in Maryland for each truck tractor also registered in Maryland.

A foreign registered trailer or semitrailer rented or leased in intrastate service

A trailer or semitrailer rented or leased in intrastate service need not be registered in Maryland if:

• The trailer or semitrailer has a chassis weight of 1,000 pounds or less;
• The trailer or semitrailer is registered in another state; and
• The owner of the trailer or semitrailer annually has registered in Maryland a number of these trailers and semitrailers that is at least equal to the average number of these trailers and semitrailers that the owner annually will have available in Maryland for rent or lease in intrastate service.

If a person claims exemption for a trailer or semitrailer under this provision, the person must file annually with the Administration, an affidavit that sets forth, as to all such trailers and semitrailers that the person has available in all states for rent or lease:

• The total number annually registered in all states;
• The total number annually registered in Maryland; and
• The average total number annually available for rent or lease in Maryland.

A motor vehicle rented in intrastate service

A motor vehicle rented in intrastate service need not be registered in Maryland if:

• The motor vehicle is registered in another state; and
• The owner of the motor vehicle annually has registered in Maryland a percentage of the total number of these motor vehicles in a rental fleet as determined by this provision.

The percentage of the total number of motor vehicles in a rental fleet that must be registered in Maryland is determined by dividing the gross revenue received in the preceding year for the use of such rental vehicles arising from all motor vehicle rental transactions occurring in Maryland by the total gross revenue received in the preceding year for the use of such rental vehicles arising from all motor vehicle rental transactions occurring in all jurisdictions in which the rental fleet is operated. The resulting percentage shall be applied to the total number of motor vehicles in the rental fleet and that figure, to the nearest whole number, shall be the number of rental motor vehicles that shall be fully registered and titled in Maryland.

If a person claims this exemption for a motor vehicle, the person shall file annually with the Administration, at the time and in the manner that the Administration requires, an affidavit that sets forth, as to all such motor vehicles that the person has available in all states for rent:

• The gross revenue received in the preceding year for the use of such rental motor vehicles arising from all motor vehicle rental transactions occurring in Maryland; and
• The total gross revenue received in the preceding year for the use of such rental motor vehicles arising from all motor vehicle rental transactions occurring in all jurisdictions.

A nonresident may drive or permit the driving of a foreign vehicle in Maryland

If, at all times, the vehicle:

• Is registered in and displays current registration plates issued for it in the owner’s place of residence; and
• Carries as provided in § 13-409(a), a current registration card issued for it in the owner’s place of residence; and except as otherwise allowed, the vehicle is not:
  • Used for transporting persons for hire, compensation, or profit;
  • Regularly operated in carrying on business in this State;
  • Designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property; or
  • In the custody of any resident for more than 30 days during any registration year.

Vehicle issued complimentary guest card, permit, or license

With the approval of the Governor, the Administration may permit a foreign vehicle to be driven in this State by:

• Issuing complimentary guest cards, permits, or licenses to persons visiting Maryland from any foreign country; or
• Recognizing and permitting the use of guest cards, permits, or licenses granted by other states.

Vehicle owned by a nonresident who is a member of the armed forces or Public Health Service

If a nonresident is a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the United States Public Health Service and is serving on active duty in Maryland or an adjoining state or the District of Columbia, the nonresident need not register his personal passenger vehicles in Maryland if the vehicles are registered in the state of his residence.

Vehicle owned by a nonresident student

If a nonresident is a student enrolled in an accredited school, college, or university of Maryland or of a bordering state or is serving a medical internship in Maryland, the nonresident need not register his vehicles in Maryland if:

• The state of which the nonresident is a resident extends the same privileges to the residents of Maryland; and
• The nonresident meets the required security provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law as to any vehicle to which this exemption applies.

Other

• A vehicle that is driven on a highway:
  • In conformity with the statutory provisions relating to manufacturers, transporters, dealers, secured parties, owners or operators of special mobile equipment, or nonresidents; or
  • Under a temporary registration card issued by the Administration;
• A vehicle owned and used by the United States, unless an authorized officer or employee of the United States requests registration of the vehicle;
• A farm tractor or any farm equipment;
• A vehicle the front or rear wheels of which are lifted from the highway;
• A towed vehicle that is attached to the towing vehicle by a tow bar and for which no driver is necessary;
• A vehicle owned by and in the possession of a licensed dealer for purpose of sale;
• A vehicle owned by a new resident of Maryland during the first 60 days of residency provided the vehicle displays valid registration issued by the jurisdiction of the resident’s former domicile;
• New vehicles being operated as part of a shuttle, as defined in 13-626, while following a registered vehicle displaying a shuttle permit issued by the Administration;
• A vehicle operated in connection with maritime commerce exclusively within any terminal owned or leased by the Maryland Port Administration;
• A vehicle owned by an accredited consular or diplomatic officer of a foreign government and operated for official or personal purposes when the vehicle displays a valid diplomatic license plate issued by the United States government; or
• A personal delivery device that is operated on a roadway, sidewalk, shoulder, or crosswalk in accordance with 21-104.5.

Citations

• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(c) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions  
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(d) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(e) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(f) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(g) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402(h) Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402.1(a) Certain vehicles of residents not subject to registration
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402.1(b) Certain vehicles of residents not subject to registration
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402.1(c) Certain vehicles of residents not subject to registration
• Md. Transportation Code Ann. 13-402.1(d) Certain vehicles of residents not subject to registration