Maryland MVA Updates

September 16, 2026

The following bullets are excerpted from Maryland MVA’s April 2026 “Talking Points” newsletter. We hope you find this information useful, and if you have a topic, you’d like us to cover in a future newsletter, please send it to Kristin Orlando-Dillahunt at korlando@mdot.maryland.gov.

Vehicle Services – Tips & Reminders    

• It has come to our attention that the excise tax rate for Virginia is on the MVA website as 5.3%. This is being updated to reflect the current rate of 4.15%.

• Upcoming Legislation – Implementation 10/1/26
  • SB111/HB212 Vehicle Laws Out of State Vehicles – Improper Legislation
    • Effective October 1^st, the MVA will notify Maryland residents suspected of registering their vehicles in another state.  These vehicle owners will have 60 days to title and register their vehicles in Maryland, obtain a non-resident permit, or submit documentation for an administrative decision. 
    • A bulletin will be issued to address this bill in detail.
• SB125/HB251 – Vehicle Laws- Transfer of Used Vehicles – Repeal of Notarized Bill of Sale Requirement
  • Effective October 1, 2026, a notarized bill of sale will no longer be required for the transfer of a used vehicle less than 7 years old for a private party sale.  Title transactions will be taxed on the reported purchase price if within $500.00 of the JD Power value.  Customer Connect will use the JD Power value to determine taxes if the reported price is more than $500.00 lower than the JD Power value.
  • A bulletin will be issued to address this bill in detail.

• SB145/HB174- Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels – Transfer-on-Death Designations
  • Effective October 1, 2026, a beneficiary may be designated on a jointly owned vehicle.  Since the designation is made prior to the death of the individual or last surviving owner, the vehicle will not be considered part of the estate, therefore Letters of Administration will not be required for transfer.

Business Licensing & Compliance Updates & Reminders

• Reminder- The business portal has been updated to allow dealers to report multiple Dealer Tags lost/stolen. You must submit each request separately, but it will allow you to submit multiple in the same time period.

• Upcoming Legislation – Implementation 10/1/26
  • HB1120/SB418 – Professional Licensing Portability- Members of the Foreign Service and Spouses  
    • Effective October 1st, 2026, the MVA will allow a member of the US Foreign Service or spouse who relocates to Maryland because of an assignment or detail and holds a license in another state to practice in Maryland for the duration of the orders if the member/spouse submits an application with proof of assignment/details, is in good standing, actively used license in last 2 years, and complies with standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of continuing education requirements.  
    • This review will be completed by the Business Licensing & Compliance Division.
  • SB0242 – Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act  
    • Effective October 1, 2026 the MVA will allow an active service member or spouse who relocates to Maryland because of orders and holds a license in another state to practice in Maryland for the duration of the orders if the member/spouse submits an application with proof of orders and other docs, is in good standing, has no disciplinary action and no investigation, and has not voluntarily surrendered the license while under investigation; If licensing authority can’t complete process within 30 days of application, may issue temp license; authorizes licensing authority to conduct criminal history check.  
    • This review will be completed by the Business Licensing & Compliance Division.  

Investigations

• Continue to be cautious with out of state buyers of expensive vehicles.  We are experiencing an increase in Lien washing when there are issues with registering the vehicle in their home state.  Please continue to update WANADA when fraud or possible fraud occurs.

If you have a topic, you’d like us to cover in a future newsletter, please send it to Kristin Orlando-Dillahunt at korlando@mdot.maryland.gov.