Moved from Maryland to Virginia (DMV issue, please help) (insurance, how much) - Northern Virginia - (VA) - City-Data Forum

VARookie · 05-10-2010, 09:42 AM

Let me cut right to the chase. The Maryland DMV is with-holding the title of my vehicle until I get a new safety inspection because my vehicle was declared 'total loss' due to an accident it was involved in.

I recently moved to Virginia, so the problem is that without the title I can't change my documents. If I turn in my Maryland tags, they'll be more than happy to give me the title but the problem with that is, my car will be tagless which means I won't be able to drive the title to the Virginia DMV. Plus, I was told it will take the Virginia DMV 6-8 weeks until I receive my tags. Not sure if that's true? If so, that means I'd have an undrivable, tagless car for 2 months.

Is my only other option, pay for the Maryland safety inspection, get the title 7 days later in the mail (would maryland even send it to my virginia address?), and then pay AGAIN for the Virginia safety inspection? I mean, that's the only way I'd be able to get the title and keep my maryland tags meanwhile, until I get the Virginia tags 6-8 weeks later. And I haven't even changed to a Virginia's driver's license yet. UGH! What a headache!!!

If anyone can help clarify, suggest anything, etc, please respond.
I'd so greatly appreciate it.

oneasterisk · 05-10-2010, 10:40 AM

I've been able to get tags at the DMV on the spot. I went to register the vehicle and they gave me plates. So long as you don't want custom plates, they have stacks at the DMV.

The VA state inspection is only $16 and should pass if it passes the MD inspection.

scaredycat · 05-10-2010, 11:13 AM

You might be able to use a "trip permit" to transport a car without license plates. When we purchased a car, the seller took off the plates and we put the trip permit in the window to drive the car home. Then I took the title to the VA DMV and was able to get the license plates immediately. Google "Virginia Trip Permit" and/or call for more information.

car54 · 05-10-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VARookie

Let me cut right to the chase. The Maryland DMV is with-holding the title of my vehicle until I get a new safety inspection because my vehicle was declared 'total loss' due to an accident it was involved in....

You are probably dealing with a salvage title here...which is a whole 'nother ballgame.

I bought a car with a salvage title once and it was a ROYAL pain...I'll never do it again unless it's a very special car.

It's complicated, but basically the salvage vehicle laws were designed to a) make sure the repaired vehicle is safe, and b) to "brand" the title so that all subsequent owners are aware that the car was once totalled and therefore typically worth less than one that wasn't.

The one I bought had an out-of-state title and that added to the hassle I had to go through....so maybe having Maryland re-brand the title as "rebuilt" (and thus eligible for registration) would be easier...GOOD LUCK!

PS: This inspection they are talking about is probably NOT the normal inspection that all cars need. I had to pay to have a DMV officer come to my house to "inspect" my salvage vehicle to verify that it, in fact, had been repaired....ie. all four wheels were touching the ground! LOL

dkf747 · 05-10-2010, 05:09 PM

I'm confused. Why does Maryland have your title? Did you just buy the car recently? I'm in Maryland and I have my title. How come you don't have yours?

VARookie · 05-11-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkf747

I'm confused. Why does Maryland have your title? Did you just buy the car recently? I'm in Maryland and I have my title. How come you don't have yours?

I had the title but when my insurance company came over to take a look at the vehicle after it had been hit by another vehicle while parked, my insurance company declared it 'total loss'. At that point I could either give up the vehicle or keep it and I decided to keep it since it could still run. They told me that changes needed to be made on my title since it became a salvage title. Once the changes were made, they would send me a new title in the mail.

Obviously, that never happened so I called the MVA and they told me that before they can send me the new title, I have to get a new Maryland safety inspection. I got the inspection done when I first bought the vehicle but now they need me to get a second one done due to the accident.

VARookie · 05-11-2010, 06:25 AM

Thanks everyone else for your feedback.

donnie5576 · 05-19-2019, 07:49 PM

I just switched my car from 2

Md to va. I have a salvage title. I was told that once my title comes in the mail. I can then go to va and pick up my tags

cnpatton · 06-16-2020, 05:03 AM

Hi,

So I bought a truck from a small dealership in VA that they told me had a salvaged title in Maryland. They said I have to basically go to Maryland, get the title, and then take it to Virginia and have it re-title in Virginia. I am driving the truck on 30 day dealer tags. The truck has a brand new Virginia inspection sticker that expires 5/21. What inspections will I need and how much should this cost me?

Thanks,

CP

dkf747 · 06-17-2020, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnpatton

Hi,

So I bought a truck from a small dealership in VA that they told me had a salvaged title in Maryland. They said I have to basically go to Maryland, get the title, and then take it to Virginia and have it re-title in Virginia. I am driving the truck on 30 day dealer tags. The truck has a brand new Virginia inspection sticker that expires 5/21. What inspections will I need and how much should this cost me?

Thanks,

CP

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#titling.asp