States · Maryland

Maryland Vehicle Registration Cost

Maryland's vehicle costs changed substantially on July 1, 2025 under the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (HB 352 of 2025): the excise tax rose from 6.0% to 6.5%, the title fee doubled from $100 to $200, and biennial registration for vehicles over 3,700 lbs was raised. Maryland also added an EV surcharge ($250 BEV / $125 PHEV) starting January 2025. The state is consistent across the board with no local sales tax, statewide-uniform registration rates, and no annual ad valorem (unlike neighboring Virginia, where vehicles face annual county property tax). A new $35,000 vehicle in Maryland runs about $2,712 in first-year costs (driven by the high $200 title fee and 6.5% excise tax), with annual renewals around $237 for vehicles over 3,700 lbs.

How Maryland calculates registration

• Biennial Registration Fee (annualized, incl. $40 EMS) — Tiered by weight (annual) Maryland registers vehicles biennially. Shown here as annualized for comparability — you actually pay double the listed amount every 2 years. Includes the mandatory $40/year EMS (Emergency Medical Services) surcharge. Fees were raised effective July 1, 2025 under HB 352 (BRFA of 2025) for vehicles over 3,700 lbs.
• Title Fee — $200 (one-time) Raised from $100 to $200 effective July 1, 2025 under HB 352 (BRFA of 2025). Among the highest title fees in the US, second only to Illinois ($165 — wait, MD is now higher).

Sales tax

Maryland charges 6.5% state Motor Vehicle Excise Tax . Trade-in credit: full. Tax basis: higher of.

Maryland's vehicle excise tax was raised from 6.0% to 6.5% effective July 1, 2025 under HB 352 (BRFA of 2025). The MVA uses the GREATER of purchase price or NADA Clean Retail value as the taxable amount — preventing buyers from reporting an artificially low private-party price. Trade-in credit is allowed for dealer sales but NOT for private-party purchases. New residents transferring a vehicle from another state get a $100 cap on excise tax if the previous state's rate was 6.5% or higher.

Electric vehicle surcharge

Maryland charges an additional $250/year for electric vehicles.

Started with registrations expiring January 2025. Battery EVs (ZEVs) pay $250/year, plug-in hybrids pay $125/year. Maryland previously offered a $3,000 EV purchase rebate (Clean Cars Rebate Program), but funding was reduced in recent budget cycles.

What makes Maryland distinctive

• Maryland's title fee doubled from $100 to $200 on July 1, 2025 under HB 352 — making it among the highest title fees in the US. Combined with the simultaneous excise tax increase from 6.0% to 6.5%, the change adds about $275 to the cost of registering a $35,000 vehicle compared to pre-July 2025.
• Maryland excise tax uses the GREATER of purchase price or NADA Clean Retail value — preventing artificially low private-party sale prices. Trade-in value is credited for dealer transactions but NOT for private-party sales.
• New residents transferring a vehicle from another state get a $100 excise tax cap if the previous state's tax rate was 6.5% or higher (the new MD rate). This makes Maryland unusually friendly to relocators from high-tax states.
• Maryland charges a mandatory $40/year EMS (Emergency Medical Services) surcharge included in the registration fee — funds med-evac helicopters, ambulances, fire equipment, and trauma units statewide. It's not optional and not separately itemized on most fee schedules.
• Maryland's $250/year ZEV surcharge (plus $125 for PHEVs) started in January 2025. Combined with reduced EV purchase rebates and the recent excise tax/title fee increases, MD has shifted from being EV-friendly to roughly neutral on EV ownership costs.