ANNAPOLIS

Maryland's new law targeting residents who register vehicles out of state takes effect Thursday, October 1, introducing penalties for drivers skirting the state's registration requirements.

Under the mandate, Maryland residents with vehicles registered in another state will receive a notice from the Motor Vehicle Administration. Drivers then have 60 days to bring their vehicle into compliance, secure a nonresident permit, or present documentation proving an exemption.

After the 60-day period, non-compliant drivers face a $7-per-day fine, capped at $420 over 60 days. If a vehicle remains unregistered in Maryland beyond that point, the case can proceed to additional civil action, including booting, towing, or impoundment.

The enforcement focuses particularly on vehicles registered in Virginia, which does not require residency for registration and charges lower passenger vehicle fees than Maryland. Maryland previously filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Virginia to obtain data on drivers listing Maryland addresses when registering across state lines. Written testimony before the Maryland General Assembly revealed tens of thousands of vehicles were flagged through this data.

Earlier this summer, the state issued approximately 79,000 letters to drivers suspected of having vehicles registered in Virginia, following an initial effort in the spring that sent 58,000 similar notices. Most letters targeted drivers in Prince George's and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City. About 10,000 vehicles subsequently registered in Maryland after the outreach.

MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said the initiative goes beyond collecting registration fees. Nearly 100 percent of the vehicles identified as illegally registered out of state were not compliant with Maryland's safety inspection rules.

"If that driver is not insured, if that driver's vehicle is unsafe, these things can have serious impacts," Nizer said. "Our mission is zero deaths on our roadways."

A state analysis indicates Maryland loses up to $12 million annually because vehicles are registered in other states. Those registration fees fund the Transportation Trust Fund, which supports roadwork and Emergency Medical Services.