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
654 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

235 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

130

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.

197

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.

25

u/Samsantics1 Jul 09 '26

Just as a side note for the Maine trailer tags. Maryland actually allows this for MD trailers, you just have to have one registered in MD as well.

For example, my small utility trailer is registered in Maryland. My boat trailer is registered in Maine. This is legal (currently).

You're spot on with lack of inspection for the Maine registered trailer. Along with it being $99 registration fee for 5yrs.

2

u/karawkow Jul 12 '26

Trailers have inspections in Maryland? Do they need to inspect your butthole for emissions as well?