2023 Maryland Statutes › Transportation › Title 13 - Vehicle Laws -- Certificates of Title and Registration of Vehicles › Subtitle 4 - Registration of Vehicles › Part I - In General › Section 13-410 - Registration Plates and Tabs to Be Furnished by Administration; County Stickers Indicating Residence; Return of Plates

(a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, when it registers a vehicle, the Administration shall issue to the owner:
(i)    One registration plate, if the vehicle is:
1.    A Class D (motorcycle) vehicle;
2.    A Class F (tractor) vehicle;
3.    A Class G (trailer) vehicle;
4.    A Class L (historic) vehicle that was manufactured at least 50 years before the current model year; or
5.    A Class N (street rod) vehicle that was manufactured at least 50 years before the current model year; and
(ii)    Two registration plates for every other vehicle.
(2)    However, as to temporary registration, the Administration may provide for the issuance of only one temporary registration plate for any vehicle.
(b)    (1)    Each registration plate shall display:
(i)    The registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued; and
(ii)    The name of this State, which may be abbreviated.
(2)    The registration number may consist of letters, numerals, or both.
(c)    (1)    This subsection applies only to the following vehicles:
(i)    A Class A (passenger) vehicle;
(ii)    A Class E (truck) vehicle registered or capable of registration under § 13-917 of this title; and
(iii)    A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle.
(2)    At the option of the registered owner of a vehicle for which registration plates are issued under this title, in addition to the information otherwise required to be shown on the registration plates, the registration plates may display a sticker indicating the name of the county, including Baltimore City, in which the owner of the vehicle resides.
(3)    The Administration shall:
(i)    Approve a sticker design option that complies with paragraph (2) of this subsection; and
(ii)    Offer to each vehicle owner applying for new or replacement registration plates under this title the option to select a sticker that displays the owner’s county of residence.
(4)    In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, the Administration may charge a fee, not to exceed its costs, for issuing or replacing the county sticker offered under this subsection.
(5)    A vehicle owner may not display stickers that show a county name other than the owner’s county of residence.
(6)    A county sticker issued under this subsection may not be placed on a special registration plate or a commemorative registration plate issued under Subtitle 6 of this title.
(d)    Registration plates may be reflectorized and shall be manufactured of a material warranted to have a durability of at least 5 years. However, prior to registration plates being reflectorized, the Administration shall obtain approval of the General Assembly through a budget item.
(e)    (1)    During subsequent registration years, the Administrator may order the continued use of registration plates that are valid during any current registration year, and, after so doing, the Administrator shall issue, at the time a vehicle’s registration is renewed, a validation tab to evidence payment of the vehicle’s annual registration fee.
(2)    The tab shall be displayed on the plates of the vehicle in the manner that the Administrator requires.
(3)    The Administrator from time to time shall evaluate the condition of registration plates issued under this title and may provide for the manufacture and issuance of new registration plates. These new registration plates shall be issued and subsequently validated in the manner required by this subtitle.
(f)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the Administration may issue reflectorized registration plates under §§ 13–618 and 13–619 of this title.
(g)    The dimensions of a registration plate issued for a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle shall be 7 inches wide by 4 inches high.
(h)    A registration plate that is required to be returned to the Administration may be returned through the mail.