uses license plates as an identification card for vehicles and a way of finding them if they’re lost or stolen. Beyond Maryland’s general issue license plate, there’s a host of specialty options including plates for veterans or radio operators.

From decals to paint jobs to bumper stickers, customization is something that nearly every car owner is interested in. Although license plates serve an important function by keeping cars organized and accounted for, they’re also another way that drivers can express themselves.

With so many license plates available in Maryland, choosing the right one can be difficult. Stick with us as we break down the types of license plates you may want or need if you live in

Baltimore

Waldorf

, or any other city in Maryland.

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What are Maryland license plates and why do I need them?

Registering a car

is an important part of owning one, and states use registration as a way to assess taxes and monitor both traffic and criminal violations. Beyond that, your license plate number is also the easiest way to identify your car, especially if you have a common make or model.

If you get into an accident, your license plate plays an important part in

determining who is at fault

for the crash. And of course, finding a stolen car would be nearly impossible if not for license plates.

Almost every vehicle in Maryland is required to have two individual plates displayed at all times, with one on the front and one at the back. The only vehicles allowed to have just one are:

Motorcycles

Trailers

Tractors

Certain historic cars

MORE:

Maryland car accident laws

What license plates does Maryland have?

In general, Maryland has two different types of license plates:

General plates: The standard-issue plates that you’ve seen a million times if you live in Maryland. These plates have no additional fee nor requirements attached to them

Specialty plates: Some of these plates, such as the Chesapeake Bay Plate, simply require paying an initial and annual fee. But to obtain something like the Maryland Veteran license plate, you’ll need to have served in the military.

General license plate

The state of Maryland has changed its license plate dozens of times since they were first made in the early 20th century. Although the plates have continued to change in recent years, their current plate has a relatively simple design.

Maryland’s current general license plate has been in use since 2016. It features a white background and the state’s name in red lettering at the top. Near the bottom, a portion of Maryland’s state flag is visible.

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Specialty license plates

If you aren’t interested in sticking with Maryland’s standard-issue plates, you’ve got plenty of other

special license plate options

to choose from:

Agricultural plates

: featuring a scenic orange background with a bright red barn, these are great license plates if you want to show your support for Maryland’s farmers.

Chesapeake Bay

plates: If you care deeply about the health of Chesapeake Bay there is no better way to show it than with these license plates. They feature a bright blue background showing both the clear water and sunny sky.

Combat-related or military plates

: If you were a military member who wants to be recognized for their achievements, you need proof of your service to receive these plates. There are many different variations of these plates that state what branch or operation you served in.

Amateur Radio-Operator plates

: Maryland offers Amatuer Radio-Operator plates (also known as HAM tags) for both passenger cars and trucks.

Gold Star plates

: If your loved one died in service under the U.S. Military, you’re eligible for Gold Star plates. These plates are beige and prominently feature the gold star to the left of the license number.

Organizational plates

: There are hundreds of organizations in Maryland with custom license plates and you need only to prove your affiliation to have them. You can order these plates without or without the logo featured on the left side.

Vanity plates

: If you’d like to take your car’s customization a step further, you can do so by applying for a special message on your plates.

Although slightly different from the specialty plates above, Maryland residents

with a disability

can have their particular disability represented on their license plate. If you’re a disabled veteran, you will receive a unique license plate recognizing your service.

MORE:

How to check available custom license plates

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How do I get a Maryland license plate?

All you have to do to receive a license plate in Maryland is

. If you buy a new car from a dealership they’ll likely walk you through this process, while those moving in from out of state or buying from a private seller may need to handle it themselves.

To get your car registered, you’ll need to present several documents at any Maryland Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) office including:

Proof of ownership

Your lease agreement

The title fee

An application form

If you’re just looking to change your plates from the general ones to a specialty option, you can either apply online or head to one of the MVD’s field offices. If you simply need to replace a damaged plate, the fee to do so is $20.

How to customize your car insurance for savings in Maryland

Picking out a beautiful new Maryland license plate is a great way to customize your beloved car, but there is, even more, you can do to take care of it. Even if you already like your

car insurance

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The average Jerry user saves over $800 on their car insurance each year, which is more than enough to spend on getting some customized license plates.

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FAQs

How many license plates does Maryland have?

Maryland only has a few different license plates when it comes to custom backgrounds, but it has hundreds if you consider the many organizational plates residents can choose from.

Do I need a front license plate in Maryland?

Yes. Having a Maryland front license plate is a requirement unless you have a specific class of vehicles. Some vehicle classes allowed to have one plate include tractors, trailers,and motorcycles.

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