Maryland Dump Truck Rules Have Changed: Is Your Fleet Ready?

For Pennsylvania dump truck fleets working across the Maryland border, registration renewals now come with a change: a paper credential is replacing the second Maryland plate previously issued to qualifying out-of-state trucks.

Effective September 28, 2026, Maryland MVA began issuing Dump Service Certificates for out-of-state dump trucks with apportioned registrations, four or more axles, and a gross vehicle weight rating above 55,000 pounds.

For fleet owners, you will need to update renewal procedures and make sure drivers have the right documentation before heading to a Maryland job.

What changed at Maryland MVA?

The new certificate replaces the second metal plate.

Existing second-plate holders may keep that plate until the vehicle’s next registration period. At renewal, they must return the Maryland dump truck plate to receive the paper certificate. MVA will not issue the certificate while an active Maryland plate registration remains.

To obtain the credential, visit a full-service MVA office with:

• A valid email address.
• Side photographs of the vehicle.
• Current out-of-state registration.
• Valid out-of-state title.
• Completed Maryland Form VR-098.

The memorandum says these application documents have not changed.

Download the form from the Maryland MVA forms directory, which lists it as “Certification for Dump Truck Service.”

Fleet managers should put the plate return and certificate pickup on each affected truck’s renewal checklist. Assign responsibility for the transaction so it does not become a last-minute problem when a truck is needed on a job.

COMAR 11.15.27 still requires vehicle and lift axle compliance

The credential change does not remove the underlying equipment requirements.

COMAR 11.15.27 establishes requirements for dump service vehicles with four or more axles, including a lift axle, operating at a maximum 70,000-pound gross vehicle weight under this registration framework.

Before operating above 55,000 pounds GVW in Maryland, the owner must submit:

• the required manufacturer,
• second-stage manufacturer, or authorized dealer certification,
• an operating compliance certification,
• the dump service form, and
• a side-view photograph

The equipment certification includes lift axle pressure information and the certifier’s license number.

This makes an equipment review worthwhile when a fleet buys a used dump truck, modifies an axle configuration, or adds a truck to its Maryland operations. Do not assume that having enough axles establishes eligibility by itself.

Keep the certificate available in the truck

Under COMAR 11.15.27.05, the MVA-issued certification must be carried or otherwise available for display in the vehicle at all times and produced when a law enforcement officer requests it.

A practical approach is to place the printed certificate in the truck’s credential binder, retain a backup in the fleet’s records, and show the driver where to find it. Add a credential check when a vehicle changes drivers or returns from maintenance.

A certificate does not give every truck the same weight allowance

Dispatchers and drivers must also understand the operating restrictions.

For a dump service vehicle registered at 70,000 pounds, the lift axle must be fully engaged when operating above 55,000 pounds, subject to the exceptions in the regulation. Lift axle loading requirements vary with the truck’s operating weight.

COMAR also sets a maximum 65,000-pound gross weight for qualifying four-axle dump service vehicles on interstate highways outside Allegany and Garrett counties, with registration and certificate conditions. A separate provision addresses qualifying coal, log, or pulpwood hauling on Interstate 68 in those counties.

Before dispatch, review the truck’s configuration, load, and route together. The certificate should be part of that review, rather than treated as blanket approval to haul the same weight on every Maryland road.

How Form 2290 fits into dump truck compliance

Maryland’s certificate and federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax are separate requirements.

Form 2290 generally applies to highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Taxable gross weight is an IRS calculation involving the equipped vehicle, customary trailers, and maximum customary load; declared registration weights can affect that calculation. It should not be treated as interchangeable with manufacturer GVWR.

The IRS-stamped Schedule 1 generally serves as proof for state registration. Exceptions exist, including recently purchased vehicles with qualifying bill-of-sale documentation.

Low-mileage vehicles may qualify for tax suspension at 5,000 public-highway miles or less during the tax period, but still require filing. The 7,500-mile threshold applies to qualifying agricultural vehicles.

The filing deadline generally falls on the last day of the month after first highway use during the tax period; it is not tied to registration renewal.

For your fleet records, track the Maryland credential and Form 2290 separately so a completed state transaction does not lead to a missed federal filing.

Prepare your fleet for the next Maryland renewal

Use the transition as an opportunity to review each affected truck:

1. Identify trucks using a second Maryland dump truck plate.
2. Record renewal dates and assign the plate return.
3. Gather application documents and equipment certifications.
4. Place the issued certificate in the truck and brief its drivers.
5. Review route, weight, and lift axle requirements before dispatch.
6. Check Form 2290 filing status and retain the applicable Schedule 1.

Questions about the certificate can be directed to Maryland MVA’s Motor Carrier Division at 410-787-2971, 410-787-2951, or irp@mdot.maryland.gov.

Get help organizing your fleet’s compliance needs

Crossing state lines can add registration and operating requirements that are easy to overlook when the focus is getting trucks to the next job.

CNS helps motor carriers take a proactive approach to safety and compliance. If your dump truck fleet operates in Maryland, contact CNS to discuss your registration questions, vehicle documentation, and broader compliance needs.

Contact CNS for help reviewing your situation and identifying your next steps.