Section 12-101 – Administration Established
There is a Motor Vehicle Administration in the Department.
Section 12-102 – Motor Vehicle Administrator; Chief Deputy Administrator
(a) The head of the Administration is the Motor Vehicle Administrator, who shall be appointed by the Secretary with the approval of the Governor. (b) (1) The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Secretary and shall report directly to him. (2) Subject to the authority of the Secretary, the Administrator is responsible for carrying out: (i) The powers and […]
Section 12-103 – Management and Control of Administration
(a) The exercise of the powers and duties of the Administration is subject to the authority of the Secretary. (b) By regulation or directive, the Secretary may require that the exercise of any power or duty of the Administration be subject to the prior approval of the Secretary.
Section 12-104 – General Powers and Duties of Administration
(a) In addition to the specific powers granted and duties imposed by this title, the Administration has the powers and duties set forth in this section. (b) The Administration may adopt rules and regulations to carry out: (1) Those provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law that relate to or are administered and enforced by the Administration; and (2) The […]
Section 12-104.1 – Issuance of Citations
(a) The Administrator may designate employees of the Investigative Division of the Administration to exercise the powers specified in subsection (b) of this section. (b) (1) An employee appointed under this section may issue citations to the same extent as a police officer if authorized by the Administration, for violations of: (i) The provisions of Title 13 of this […]
Section 12-105 – Forms for Documents and Notices
The Administration shall prepare and provide suitable forms for all applications, certificates of title, registration cards, notices of security interests, drivers’ licenses, and other notices and documents needed to carry out the provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law and any other law that the Administration is required to administer.
Section 12-106 – Review of Applications
(a) The Administration shall examine and determine the genuineness, regularity, and legality of each application made to it under the Maryland Vehicle Law. (b) The Administration shall reject an application: (1) If it is not satisfied as to the genuineness, regularity, or legality of the application or the truth of any statement it contains; or (2) For any other […]
Section 12-107 – Rental or Leasing of Motor Vehicles
(a) In this section, “lease” means the rental or leasing of a vehicle for a period exceeding 180 days. (b) The Administration may conduct investigations and inquiries and require additional information concerning: (1) Any application made to it under the Maryland Vehicle Law; or (2) Any other matter subject to the jurisdiction of the Administration. (c) Each person who leases […]
Section 12-108 – Authority to Subpoena Witnesses and Take Testimony
(a) In any matter subject to its jurisdiction, the Administration may subpoena any person or documents and take the testimony of any person, in the same manner and with the same fees and mileage as provided for by law in civil cases. (b) If any person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued by […]
Section 12-109 – Oaths and Acknowledgments; Certifications
(a) In administering the Maryland Vehicle Law, the Administrator or any other officer or employee of the Administration designated by the Administrator may administer oaths and take acknowledgments of signatures. (b) (1) If a person is required to submit any statement or information to the Administration under oath, verification, affirmation, certification, affidavit, or any other similar form, the […]
Section 12-110 – Repossession of Documents and Plates
(a) The Administration may take possession of any certificate of title, registration card, permit, license, or registration plate: (1) That is fictitious; (2) That is issued by it and that: (i) Has expired; (ii) Has been canceled, suspended, or revoked; or (iii) Was issued unlawfully or erroneously; or (3) That has been issued by another jurisdiction but is being illegally used or […]
Section 12-111 – Records of Administration — in General
(a) The Administration shall keep a record of each application or other document filed with it and each certificate or other official document that it issues. (b) (1) Subject to § 4–320 of the General Provisions Article, and except as otherwise provided by law, all records of the Administration are public records and open to public inspection during […]
Section 12-112 – Records — Listings of Information
(a) Unless the information is classified as confidential under § 12–111 of this subtitle or otherwise as provided by law, and subject to § 4–320 of the General Provisions Article, the Administration may furnish listings of vehicle registration and other public information in its records to those persons who request them, but only if the Administration […]
Section 12-112.1 – Records — Information Provided to Jury Commissioners
(a) (1) On request, but not less than annually, the Administration shall provide to the jury commissioners: (i) The list of individuals who are at least 18 years old and have been issued a driver’s license by the Administration; and (ii) The list of individuals who are at least 18 years old and have been issued an identification card […]
Section 12-113 – Records — Copies; Certified Copies; Use in Judicial Proceedings
(a) (1) Subject to § 12–111 of this subtitle and § 4–320 of the General Provisions Article, the Administrator or any other officer or employee of the Administration designated by the Administrator may furnish on request a copy or a certified copy of any record of the Administration. (2) The Administration may establish and charge a fee for […]
Section 12-114 – Notices
(a) Unless another method for giving notice is specifically required, the Administration shall give any notice that it is required or authorized to give under the Maryland Vehicle Law or any other law, either: (1) By personal delivery to the person to be notified; or (2) By mail to the person at the address of the person on […]
Section 12-115 – Distribution of Summary of Laws; Publication of Text of Laws, Rules, and Regulations
(a) The Administration may publish a summary of the laws of this State that relate to the operation of vehicles and may give a copy of the summary, without charge, with each original vehicle registration and original driver’s license that it issues. (b) (1) The Administration may publish copies of the Maryland Vehicle Law and related laws and […]
Section 12-116 – Service Charge for Bad Checks
If any person gives a check to the Administration to pay for any charge or for any other purpose and the check is not honored by the bank on which it is drawn, the Administration may impose a service charge to be retained by the Administration for the purpose of recovering check handling costs and […]
Section 12-117 – Interference With Persons Doing Business; Unauthorized Solicitations
In or near any building or property used by the Administration for its business, a person may not: (1) Interfere with any person doing business for or with the Administration; or (2) For a fee charged directly or indirectly, solicit any person: (i) To assist that person in obtaining a driver’s license, certificate of title, vehicle registration, or […]
Section 12-118 – Disposition of Revenues
(a) Except as specifically provided by law, all money received under the Maryland Vehicle Law shall be accounted for and remitted to the State Comptroller. (b) Out of the money remitted to the State Comptroller under the Maryland Vehicle Law, the State Comptroller shall: (1) Pay or retain enough to pay all refunds of taxes or fees provided […]