Chapter 19. Special Registration Numbers and Plates for Members of Certain Nonprofit Organizations

A special registration number as specified by the Administration and assigned under this chapter may consist of any combination of not more than seven letters and numerals, the name, initials, or abbreviation of the name of the organization on the bottom of the special registration plates and the official logo of the organization.

The special registration number assigned under this chapter shall be displayed on the registration plates for the vehicle. The Administration shall determine the basic configuration of the special registration number, using the special registration plate scheme requested by the organization as guidance.

An organization that has had special registration plates without a logo issued under Transportation Article, §13-619, Annotated Code of Maryland, may request the issuance of new special registration plates with its logo. However, once this request has been approved, all existing nonlogo special registration plates related to the organization in the Administration’s stock shall be destroyed. A member of an organization who previously was issued special nonlogo plates which were subsequently lost, stolen, or mutilated, shall be issued only new special plates with the logo selected by the organization, upon payment of the additional fee as set forth in COMAR 11.11.05.

Use of the name, initials or abbreviation of the organization on the bottom of the special registration plates shall be in the sole discretion of the Administration and, if permitted, may not be all initials or a name of more than 25 characters, including spaces.

Once a selection of the special registration plate scheme (logo/nonlogo) has been made, it is permanent and may not be changed.

A nonprofit organization requesting special registration plates with the nonprofit organization’s official logo shall submit camera-ready artwork of the logo which meets the Administration’s specifications. In addition, the:

The organization is nonprofit as evidenced by a:

At least 25 members apply for special registration under this chapter for the initial manufacture of special registration plates.

Each organization eligible for special registration under this chapter shall appoint an organization representative who will act as liaison between the organization and the Administration.

The organization representative designated in §A, of this regulation, shall be responsible for performing the functions outlined in this chapter.

The organization representative shall provide an organization certification of membership for its members which shall be printed at organization expense and contain the following information:

The organization certification of membership shall be presented by the organization representative when special registration plates are requested under Regulation .07 and by the organization member when special registration plates are requested under Regulation .09.

The organization representative shall apply to the Motor Vehicle Administration, 6601 Ritchie Highway, N. E., Glen Burnie, Maryland 21062 and include the following information:

The Administration shall advise the organization representative of its decision and, if favorable, to proceed in accordance with Regulation .07, of this chapter.

The organization representative shall submit the organization certification of membership when requested by the Administration, together with appropriate fees for each set of special registration plates requested, if applicable.

The Administration shall print the registration applications for each organization member and forward them to the organization representative.

When the special registration plates have been received, the Administration shall notify the organization representative who shall:

Administration Verification.

Upon receipt of the special registration plates, each organization member shall return previously issued registration plates to any Administration office for cancellation of the registration.

This regulation governs issuance of validation stickers only to members of nonprofit organizations who have already been issued special registration plates. During a registration year in which new registration plates are being issued for all motor vehicles, the procedures outlined in Regulation .07 shall be followed.

Applications for renewal of special registration plates shall be mailed to each registered owner before the expiration date of the vehicle's registration.

Provided the individual continues to be a member of the organization, each organization member who desires to continue use of the special registration number and plates shall:

In the case of an owner who is applying for special registration as a surviving spouse, the owner:

The Administration shall verify the registration application, including insurance information, fees and other items.

The registration card and validation stickers shall be mailed directly to or handed to each organization member.

An individual who becomes a member of an approved nonprofit organization after the initial issuance of special registration plates in accordance with Regulation .07 of this chapter may obtain special registration plates as follows:

Administration Verification.

Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the organization member shall return previously issued registration plates to any Administration office for cancellation of the registration.

The Administration shall have the right to suspend special registration granted under this chapter if:

Membership.