CUMBERLAND — Complaints have been received in recent weeks in reference to the misuse of Maryland state issued historical registration license plates as well as residents who have recently moved to the state and have failed to register their vehicles.
The Allegany County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with Cumberland Police, Maryland State Police and Frostburg Police has provided the following information concerning historic registered vehicles and registration requirements of new residents.
A vehicle is considered historic if the following requirements are met:
• The vehicle must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck weighing 10,000 pounds or less.
• The vehicle must be at least 20 years old and mustnothave been substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from the manufacturer’s original design.
A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation or primarily for transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.
A historic registration may also be issued to a truck in excess of 10,000 pounds, a tractor, or a motor home as long as the vehicle is at least 25 years old. The vehicle cannot be substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from its original design.
These vehicles cannot be used for occasional transportation or for any commercial transportation of passengers or property on highways. They must be insured by a historical vehicle, show vehicle or antique vehicle policy.
As with any vehicle driven on Maryland roadways, proper insurance is required for each individual vehicle.
The penalty for violating the use of a historical vehicle is a $140 fine.
Registration is required for any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer driven on the highway within the first 60 days of becoming a resident.
A vehicle owner violating this law is subject to a $290 fine. The owner must also apply for a certificate of title. The fine for this violation is $70.
Any vehicle that is not registered may not be parked on any public alley, street or highway or on private property used by the public in general, including parking lots of shopping centers, condominiums, apartments, or town house developments.
Local police agencies will be stepping up enforcement of violations of these motor vehicle laws.
