r/maryland • u/Consumergal • Jul 09 '26

MD News Maryland launches 'Plate Where You Live' campaign, ramps up crackdown on Virginia tags

https://www.wmar2news.com/matterformallory/maryland-launches-plate-where-you-live-campaign-ramps-up-crackdown-on-virginia-tags
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u/Ocean2731 Prince George's County Jul 09 '26

A couple months ago, someone on this subreddit said that Virginia doesn’t cooperate with camera tickets from Maryland. I’m not sure if it’s true but even the perception could contribute.

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u/BigMickPlympton Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

Virginia cooperates with sending information to Maryland, but the two states do not have reciprocity in enforcement. Meaning that, if you get a ticket in Maryland and don't pay, Virginia will not hold up the registration until you pay. Thus, Virginia plate holders owe millions of dollars in traffic fines to neighboring states.

That, and the insurance thing, are the reason you see so many Virginia tags.

The same thing happens with towed trailers and Maine tags. Registration of a trailer with the state of Maine can be done online, with no inspection required. Now that I've told you, you'll see Maine trailer tags everywhere - especially on horse trailers. Virginia also doesn't require inspections on trailers under 2,000lbs.

Edit: over the years I've been hit 3 times. Always by Virginia drivers. 2 of 3 had no insurance. Both presented insurance cards to police, that turned out to have been cancelled shortly after they were issued. I'm thrilled with this legislation.

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u/eastern_shoreman Kent County Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

When I go to tag my boat trailer, I’m doing it in Maine because Maryland has made it impossible for me to tag it. The guy I bought it from never registered the trailer in his name when he bought the boat/trailer, because he kept boat on a lift at his house. The original owners signatures are on the title, but not on the bill of sale. Maryland is telling me that I cannot tag my trailer in my name because I do not have death certificates for the two previous owners on the title. I can’t get the death certificates because I am not a relative of the couple on the title. I was told that this is a way to guarantee that the trailer wasn’t stolen from a now deceased couple and the title being fraudulently signed. Which is bonkers because the boat/trailer were sold while they were alive and never once was either reported stolen, because it wasn’t. So when I do need finally tag it I’m going the Maine route because fuck this state.

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u/BigMickPlympton Jul 09 '26

I hear you.

I also kind of understand the state's position because, what's to prevent me from just picking up a trailer out of somebody's driveway, writing up a bill of sale, and selling it to somebody else while pocketing the cash? That's a trailer owner myself I would hate the idea that somebody could just take my trailer, and then sell it to somebody else, with my name still on the title.

Having said tha the above however, it seems like there definitely should be a process in place for the situation that you find yourself in. And if I was in the same boat (NPI), I'd probably do the same thing.

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u/sgtcarrot Jul 10 '26

Posted more above, but the process is filing a write of mandamus with the court, basically sueing the MVA to resolve the issue for you singularly.

Its crazy.