MarylandHB 04702025 Regular SessionHouse

Vehicle Laws - Obscured, Modified, or Blocked Registration Plates and Registration Plate Covers

Sponsored By: Natalie Ziegler (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Vehicle Laws - Rules of the RoadAdvertisingCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.Identification -see also- Biometrics; Fingerprinting; DrLicsLaw Enforcement -see also- SRO; Sheriffs; State PoliceLicense Plates -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationMotor Vehicle RegistrationTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcUnfair Trade Practices

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Buyers gain protection from false legality claims

Beginning October 1, 2025, sellers cannot falsely claim an unlawful plate cover is legal in Maryland to promote its sale. Such claims are unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices. Violators face state consumer-protection enforcement and penalties in addition to traffic-law penalties.

Sellers face plate-cover sales and advertising bans

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland prohibits selling, offering to sell, or advertising registration plate covers. The ban covers objects designed to hide plate characters or distort plate images recorded by traffic signal cameras. People and businesses selling or promoting these products must stop those activities.

Plate rules limit some police stops

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland drivers must keep plates legible and free of foreign materials, including prohibited plate covers. Plates must be securely fastened horizontally, clearly visible, and unable to swing. Obscuring or changing a plate so it may prevent identification is a moving violation for license points. Police can enforce that offense only while detaining the driver for another suspected Maryland Code violation. The same enforcement limit applies to plate-maintenance violations involving objects framing or bordering plate edges.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Natalie Ziegler
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Jackie Addison
Democratic • House
Dylan Behler
Democratic • House
Regina T. Boyce
Democratic • House
Linda Foley
Democratic • House
Michele Guyton
Democratic • House
Marvin E. Holmes
Democratic • House
Robbyn Lewis
Democratic • House
Dana Stein
Democratic • House
Vaughn Stewart
Democratic • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House
Jen Terrasa
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 180 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2025