Residents react to MVA “Plate Where You Live” initiative

Salisbury, Md. – A new law is set to go into effect this fall, which would fine Maryland residents with out-of-state license plates. As a result, the Motor Vehicle Administration has launched its “Plate Where You Live” campaign to educate customers on the necessary steps to become compliant before the October 1 deadline.

After tens of thousands of Maryland residents were found to have out-of-state license plates and registrations, Maryland’s legislature has passed a new law to crack down on loopholes that have allowed Maryland drivers to register their vehicles in other states.

MVA Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer said the initiative is about safety.

“From Maryland’s perspective, we really do want to make sure that if a vehicle’s on our roadways, that it meets our safety standard requirements, that it is properly insured,” she said.

Some residents say the change is a welcome one.

“It’s good. And a lot of people think they’re so private that they can’t be found, and that’s why they don’t want it,” Berlin resident Ronald Kolarik said.

Pete Tyler is a Salisbury resident and an army veteran. He said the changes should ensure fairness.

“You do need to pay,” he said. “As every other resident does, or most do. And that makes it fair. If you are paying in another state, you’re cheating the state and cheating everyone else.

However, Tyler says that while everyone should follow the law, high costs are reasons why people might have gone through loopholes in the first place.

“Maryland is one of the more expensive states,” he said. “However, some things are necessary. However, some things are not. Sometimes the government steps in way more than they need to.”

Holly Agnew, a Parsonsburg resident, business owner and teacher, also said hi costs impact Marylanders.

“I think it’s a good idea only because, if we didn’t have the high registration fees, we wouldn’t have this problem,” she said.

While it was already law to register vehicles within 60 days of moving to Maryland, Nizer says the MVA has begun issuing courtesy notices to individuals to get them to comply or apply for an exception ahead of the October 1 deadline.