Dealing with a registration sticker not received in Maryland may seem like an inconvenience, but it is important that you learn what steps to take if your decals are missing. Valid stickers need to be displayed on your plates at all times. If for any reason your stickers do not arrive after a renewal or after you order new plates, it is your responsibility to obtain new ones before your registration expires. Driving without a valid DMV registration sticker can result in several issues, including fines. Unfortunately, you will still be held accountable for driving with expired tags even if your new stickers were lost due to no fault of your own.

In the event of a car sticker not being received, you will need to order one from the Motor Vehicle Administration, also known as the MVA or DMV. New stickers can be ordered online, in person or through the mail. Below, learn more about the importance of getting a new DMV registration sticker for your vehicle and find out how to order replacements.

Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in Maryland

More often than not, a Maryland DMV sticker not received is caused by issues with your application. The most common error is using an old or inaccurate address. While some pieces of mail will be forwarded after you move, it is important to be aware that MVA letters are not sent to forwarding addresses. In other words, if you never updated your address with the MVA after moving, any correspondence will be returned to the sender rather than being forwarded by the United States Post Office (USPS). Before trying to replace sticker online or through any other method, you must complete a separate address change request to ensure that your stickers get sent to the correct residence.

In some cases, a license plate sticker is not received if you failed to make the correct payment for your stickers or if you submitted an incomplete application. Furthermore, it is possible that your stickers were lost in the mail due to mishandling on the part of the MVA or USPS, although this is unlikely. Even though it is possible for these issues to occur, you should always make sure that your application is correct and you are using your current address when renewing your vehicle registration.

Can I legally drive if my Maryland registration sticker was not received?

If you are dealing with an MD car sticker not received after your registration has expired, you should not drive your vehicle. Operating a car with expired registration is against the law, and you may be fined for doing so. Even if you renewed your registration on time, you can still receive a ticket if you are caught driving without your new tabs affixed to your license plates. Law enforcement officers can still issue tickets regardless of whether your tabs are missing because they were lost in the mail.

Additional Consequences of a License Sticker Not Received in Maryland

If you are missing a car tag sticker in Maryland, the biggest penalty is that you can be ticketed for driving with an expired registration. Aside from that are few other consequences associated with having to order a new sticker. In the event of a DMV registration sticker not received, you simply have to pay a fee to the MVA to get a registration replacement.

If you did not receive your stickers because you failed to complete the registration renewal process correctly, keep in mind that you may need to pay your renewal fees in order to get your decals delivered. Although the MVA does not charge fees for renewing your registration late, you will still want to complete the transaction as soon as possible to avoid the legal penalties of driving with an expired vehicle registration.

Steps to Take If Your Maryland DMV Sticker Was Not Received

When you never received new tabs after a car plate sticker renewal, there are a few different things you can do before ordering replacements. To start, make sure you have waited long enough for your stickers to arrive in the first place. Processing times vary, but you will generally want to wait at least two weeks for your order to be processed.

If you have waited for your stickers and they still have not arrived, contact the office that you requested your decals from to inquire about the status of your order. You should apply for new stickers if your original order was processed correctly but failed to arrive for any reason.

Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in Maryland

When you need a DMV sticker replacement in Maryland, there are several different ways that you can place an order. Each method requires that you fill out the relevant application and present the current registration card for your vehicle.

You will also need to pay a $5 fee to obtain new stickers. With these materials in hand, you can order new stickers in one of the following ways:

• Get your sticker in person by visiting any of the MVA’s full service branch offices.
• Visit a Title and Tag office licensed by the MVA.
• Order a new registration sticker online on the MVA’s website.
• Send your application by mail.

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