Coronavirus: MD Vehicles Won't Be Towed For Expired Registrations

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland drivers whose vehicle registrations are expired or may expire during the COVID-19 pandemic and who cannot renew their registration will not be penalized until after the State of Emergency has ended. This comes as part of the governor's efforts to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state. On March 5, Governor Larry Hogan declared a State of Emergency which affected the ability of many state agencies to operate normally.

Because the operations of the Motor Vehicle Administration is one of the state agencies affected by the State of Emergency, Governor Hogan ordered that all expired vehicle registrations – and those that would expire during the State of Emergency – remain valid until at least 30 days after the emergency has ended.

Maryland vehicles that display an expired registration will not be towed due to the expired registration.

Vehicle owners should be aware that if their vehicle is towed or if they are being threatened with a tow due only to an expired registration, they should contact their county's towing board. They can also file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division. Online complaints can be fled through www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov by clicking on the red “File a Consumer Complaint” button on the top left of the page.