Over the past several months, many Maryland vehicle owners have been surprised to see their registration renewals flagged — especially vehicles that have carried historic plates for years without issue.
In most cases, the confusion is tied to a recent change in Maryland’s historic vehicle eligibility rules, which affects how the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) determines which vehicles qualify for historic registration.
This article explains what changed, who is affected, and why some renewals are being flagged, from a general educational perspective.
What Is a Maryland Historic Vehicle Tag?
In Maryland, a historic vehicle registration (often called a “historic tag”) is a special classification for qualifying vehicles that meet specific age and use criteria. Historically, this classification offered certain advantages, such as reduced registration requirements, when the vehicle met eligibility standards set by the state.
Historic registration has always been subject to conditions regarding:
- vehicle age
- vehicle configuration
- vehicle use (non-daily transportation)
Those underlying principles have not disappeared, but how eligibility is determined has changed.
What Changed Under Maryland Law (Statute & Regulation Context)
Maryland historic vehicle registration is governed by Maryland Transportation Article § 13-936, along with related regulations and MVA administrative guidance.
Historically, eligibility for historic vehicle registration in Maryland was based on a rolling age threshold, meaning vehicles became eligible once they reached a certain age, provided they met use and condition requirements.
Recent legislative changes modified how eligibility is determined. Instead of continuing a rolling age calculation, Maryland now applies a fixed model-year cutoff when evaluating historic vehicle registration eligibility.
As implemented by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, this change means:
- Vehicles model year 1999 or older may continue to qualify for historic registration, subject to statutory conditions.
- Vehicles model year 2000 or newer generally no longer qualify for historic registration, even if they were previously approved under older rules.
These changes were enacted through legislation affecting Transportation Article enforcement and reflected in MVA renewal and registration systems.
Important context:
Maryland law allows the MVA to apply updated eligibility criteria at renewal. Prior approval does not guarantee continued eligibility if statutory or regulatory standards change.
Which Vehicles Are Most Affected
The vehicles most commonly affected by this change include:
- Model year 2000–2005 vehicles that previously qualified under the older rule
- Vehicles that have been historically registered for many years without issue
- Owners who expected automatic renewal based on past eligibility
Because many of these vehicles were historically registered for a long time, the change has caught owners off guard during renewal.
Why Drivers Are Seeing Flags at Renewal
When a vehicle no longer meets historic eligibility under the updated rule, the MVA’s systems may flag the registration during renewal. This can happen even if:
- the vehicle was previously approved
- no changes were made by the owner
- insurance coverage remained continuous
Once flagged, the vehicle may need to transition to standard registration, which can introduce additional requirements such as inspections, emissions compliance, or updated documentation.
What Vehicle Owners Should Check Before Going to the MVA
Before visiting the MVA or submitting a renewal, vehicle owners may want to verify:
- the vehicle’s model year
- whether the vehicle still qualifies under the current historic criteria
- whether standard registration requirements may apply
- whether additional documentation may be required
Understanding eligibility before visiting the MVA can help avoid delays and unexpected issues.
Important Disclaimer (Please Read)
This article is provided for general educational purposes only.
Maryland MVA policies, eligibility rules, and enforcement practices may change and can vary based on individual circumstances.
Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice, official MVA guidance, or a guarantee of outcome. Vehicle owners should confirm current requirements directly with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration or consult a licensed, authorized service provider before taking action.
Educational Tools for Reference
To help Maryland drivers better understand registration-related issues, Maryland Express Services (MES) maintains publicly available educational resources, including:
- MVA flag explanations
- jurisdiction reference tools
- general registration guidance
- Maryland MVA Historic Vehicle
These tools are intended to support understanding only and should not replace official confirmation from the MVA.
Why This Change Is Showing Up at Renewal (Not Earlier)
Many vehicle owners ask why their historic registration was approved in the past but is now being questioned.
This typically occurs because:
- Eligibility reviews often happen at renewal, not continuously
- System updates are applied prospectively
- Older registrations may remain valid until renewal triggers a new eligibility check
As a result, vehicles that were compliant years ago may now be flagged under current standards.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: My vehicle has had historic tags for years. Why is it being flagged now?
Historic registration eligibility is evaluated under current law at the time of renewal. Even if a vehicle previously qualified, updated statutory criteria may apply when the registration is renewed.
Q2: Did Maryland “revoke” my historic tag?
In most cases, no.
Rather than revoking a registration, the MVA is applying updated eligibility standards during renewal. If a vehicle no longer qualifies, it may need to transition to standard registration.
Q3: Does this apply to all historic vehicles?
No.
Vehicles model year 1999 or older may still qualify, provided all statutory conditions are met. Vehicles model year 2000 or newer are the most commonly affected by the change.
Q4: Is this related to safety, emissions, or insurance?
The rule change itself concerns eligibility classification, not insurance status. However, transitioning from historic to standard registration may trigger inspection or emissions requirements, depending on the vehicle and location.
Q5: Can I appeal or request an exception?
Eligibility determinations are governed by statute and MVA policy. Individual outcomes depend on vehicle details and current regulations. Vehicle owners should confirm options directly with the MVA or a licensed service provider.
Q6: Does “historic” mean the vehicle can’t be driven regularly?
Maryland law has long restricted the use of historic vehicles. The recent change did not remove those use limitations — it changed which vehicles qualify in the first place.
Q7: Will this rule change again in the future?
It is possible. Vehicle registration standards are set by statute and regulation, and legislative updates can occur. This is why relying solely on prior approvals can be risky when rules change.
Important Disclaimer (Statutory Context)
This article is provided for general educational purposes only.
It summarizes publicly available statutory and regulatory concepts but does not replace official guidance.
Maryland vehicle registration requirements are governed by statute, regulation, and MVA administrative policy, all of which may change. Individual outcomes may vary.
Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice or an official determination. Vehicle owners should verify current requirements directly with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration or consult a licensed, authorized service provider before taking action.
