Maryland
What a car really costs in Maryland, before you sign or pay.
Clear out-the-door math for buying in Maryland, a checklist for private-party deals, and the questions that make a lease quote comparable. Official numbers only, each with its source and the date checked.
Start here
Out-the-door cost and calculator
Excise tax, title fee, registration and dealer fee, with a worked example and a calculator you can run in your browser.
Work out a pricePrivate-party car buying checklist
Title, seller, bill of sale, safety inspection and MVA paperwork, in order.
Open the checklistLease vs buy: how to compare
A fair way to compare a lease and a purchase, and what to get in writing from the dealer.
Compare the twoSources and dates checked
Every figure on this site, with the MVA or federal page it came from.
See sourcesThe short version
- Maryland charges a 6.5% titling (excise) tax on most vehicles. It is based on the purchase price, or on a national used-car valuation if the price is much lower.
- Maryland also charges an MVA certificate of title fee and a registration fee. The title fee for most vehicles is $200.
- Dealers may add a processing fee of up to $800, and that fee is taxable.
- With a private seller, you handle the safety inspection, titling and registration yourself.
Dollar examples on this site use made-up prices and are not quotes. Only the rates and fees come from the MVA. Taxes and fees can change, and this site is not tax or legal advice.