
In Maryland, a historic registration plate can be issued to a truck with a GVWR in excess of 10,000, tractor or motor home, as long as the vehicle is 25 calendar years old or older. The vehicle cannot be substantially altered, remodelled, or remanufactured from its original design. A vehicle with a historic registration plate cannot be used for general daily transportation or for the primary transportation of passengers or property on highways. Instead, it can be used for exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation, and similar uses.
What You'll Learn
What are the restrictions on historic plates in Maryland?
In Maryland, a historic registration plate may be issued to a vehicle that is 20 calendar years old or older with a GVWR under 10,000 lbs. For vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR, the vehicle must be 25 calendar years old or older.
Vehicles with historic registration cannot be used for general daily transportation or the primary transportation of passengers or property on highways. They are reserved for exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and occasional transportation. Vehicles with historic plates also cannot be used for employment or transportation to and from employment or school, and they cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Vehicles with historic registration must not be substantially altered, remodelled, or remanufactured from the manufacturer's original design.
Owners of vehicles with historic registration can obtain a permanent non-transferable registration for a one-time fee if the vehicle is 60 years old or older. They can also display personalised tags and vintage tags, with the latter being the same year as the vehicle.
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How do I tag a camper in Maryland?
To tag a camper in Maryland, you must register and title it. The requirements for this process vary depending on the type of trailer you own.
Office Trailers and Mobile Homes
If your office trailer or mobile home is 35 feet in length or shorter, you may be exempt from Maryland registration laws. However, you can still choose to title the trailer if you wish. To do this, simply pay the state retail sales tax and submit your receipt with an Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR-005) to a local MVA office.
Homemade Trailers
If you have built your own trailer, you can register and title it by submitting an Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR-005) to the MVA, along with two photographs of the trailer taken from the side and rear. If your application is approved, the MVA will assign a vehicle identification number and issue a serial plate.
Boat, Camping, Tent, or Travel Trailers
These trailers must be titled by submitting an Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR-005) with all the required documents listed on the form. You can obtain a new registration for your trailer when you complete the Maryland title application. These trailers are governed by the same laws as class A passenger vehicles. You may also need to complete an Application for New Plates/Stickers (Form VR-008). If your trailer is used, it will require a safety inspection to register it.
Freight and Semi-Freight Trailers
These trailers must be titled and you must submit proof that they meet motor vehicle liability insurance requirements. Call a Maryland-approved insurance company to double-check that your trailer meets the minimum requirements.
Registration Fees
Registration fees in Maryland vary depending on the type and weight of the trailer. For trailers that are 3,700 lbs. and under, the fee is $120.50. For trailers that are over 3,500 lbs., the fee is $161.50. Multi-purpose vehicles that are 3,500 lbs. and under cost $120.50 to register, while those over 3,700 lbs. cost $161.50.
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Do campers need license plates?
Whether or not your camper needs a license plate depends on where you live. In most states, you will need to license your trailer before driving it around. This includes pop-up camper trailers, boat trailers, and other travel trailers. However, there are some exceptions. For example, in some states, trailers used for farming may not require a license plate.
In nine US states, the truck camper is registered and licensed separately from the truck that carries it: Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. In these states, two different license plates are displayed—one for the truck and one for the camper.
In the remaining 42 states, the camper is considered cargo and doesn't need to be registered. However, this can cause confusion as the truck's license plate can be obscured by the camper. Some owners have been ticketed by law enforcement for having an obscured plate. A possible solution is to obtain two license plates for your truck and place the extra one on your camper.
In Maryland, a historic registration may be issued to a motor home as long as the vehicle is 25 calendar years old or older and has not been substantially altered, remodeled, or remanufactured from its original design.
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Can you drive on historic tags in Maryland?
In Maryland, a vehicle with historic tags cannot be used for general daily transportation or for the primary transportation of passengers or property on highways. Instead, it can be used for exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and occasional transportation.
However, despite these restrictions, many Maryland residents use their historic vehicles for daily transportation. While local law enforcement does not focus on this issue, if a driver with historic plates gets into a crash, violating the limitations on their license could be considered negligence and result in punitive damages.
The benefits of historic tags include lower registration fees, no smog or safety inspection requirements, and reduced insurance costs. To qualify for historic tags in Maryland, a vehicle must be over 20 years old, not be used for general transportation, and not be substantially altered from its original design.
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What are the benefits of historic plates?
Historic plates, also known as antique plates, are a special type of license plate available for vehicles that meet certain criteria. These plates offer several benefits to vehicle owners, especially those with classic or historic cars.
One of the main advantages of historic plates is the reduced cost. In many states, registering a vehicle with historic plates is cheaper than standard registration, with some states even offering free registration for historic vehicles. For example, in Maryland, the licensing fee for historic vehicles is $25, significantly lower than the standard fee.
Another benefit is the exemption from inspections and emissions testing. Historic vehicles with these special plates are often not required to undergo periodic vehicle inspections or emissions checks, which can save time and money for owners. This is especially advantageous for older cars that may have difficulty passing modern emissions standards.
Additionally, insurance for historic vehicles is typically less expensive. Owners of classic cars with antique plates can benefit from lower insurance rates, as these vehicles are generally not used for daily transportation and are driven fewer miles.
The process of obtaining historic plates can also be simpler. In some cases, vehicles with antique plates only need to be registered once with a one-time fee, avoiding the hassle of annual registration renewals.
It's important to note that the specific benefits and requirements for historic plates vary from state to state. In Maryland, for instance, a vehicle must be 25 calendar years old or older to qualify for historic plates, and it cannot be substantially altered from its original design.
Overall, the benefits of historic plates include reduced registration fees, exemptions from inspections and emissions testing, lower insurance costs, and simplified registration processes. These advantages make historic plates an attractive option for owners of classic or historic vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
Antique plates mean you will usually only need to register your classic vehicle once with a one-time fee. You don't need to do any inspection or emissions testing and you will also save on car insurance.
A historic vehicle cannot be used for general daily transportation or for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used for exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
The vehicle must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck weighing 10,000 pounds or less. It must be at least 20 years old and must not have been substantially altered, remodelled or remanufactured from the manufacturer's original design.
A trailer does not qualify for historic registration in Maryland.