Maryland Warns Drivers Using Virginia Tags to Dodge Fees

State issues letters to 73,000 vehicles improperly registered out-of-state.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 8:59pm

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The state of Maryland is issuing warning letters to thousands of drivers who are using Virginia license plates to avoid paying higher vehicle registration fees in Maryland. Authorities say these out-of-state tags are linked to more crashes, unpaid tickets, and parking violations.

Why it matters

This practice of using out-of-state tags to bypass registration fees results in significant lost revenue for Maryland, as well as public safety concerns due to the higher rates of crashes and unpaid fines associated with these vehicles.

The details

Maryland has identified more than 73,000 vehicles that are improperly registered out-of-state, primarily using Virginia tags. So far, the state has sent over 58,000 warning letters to these drivers. The loophole allows Maryland residents to pay around $30-$35 per year to register their vehicles in Virginia, compared to the $120.50 cost in Maryland. In addition to the lost revenue, drivers with out-of-state tags are also involved in a disproportionate number of crashes and have more unpaid tickets and parking violations. In Baltimore City alone, vehicles with Virginia plates were involved in 47% of nonfatal collisions and 10% of deadly crashes between 2023-2024.

  • The state has sent over 58,000 warning letters to drivers so far.

The players

Maryland

The state government of Maryland that is issuing the warning letters and cracking down on the use of out-of-state tags to avoid registration fees.

Virginia

The neighboring state whose license plates are being used by Maryland residents to bypass higher registration costs in their home state.

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What’s next

The state has indicated it will continue to monitor vehicle registrations and send additional warning letters to drivers found to be improperly using out-of-state tags.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the need for stronger enforcement and policy changes to ensure all drivers are properly registered and paying required fees in their home state, in order to maintain fairness, public safety, and critical revenue sources for state and local governments.