Maryland transportation authorities are reviewing vehicle registration records after at least two motorists were found to have paid higher fees because incorrect vehicle weights were recorded in the state’s system.
State Sen. J.B. Jennings has called on the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to carry out a broader review to establish how many motorists may have been affected and whether those who overpaid will automatically receive refunds.
“If you owe money to the government, trust me, they’re going to track you down and make sure you pay it,” Jennings told FOX45 News. “But if they owe you money, I think they’re a little less aggressive on that.”
Vehicle registration charges in Maryland are partly determined by the weight classification assigned to a vehicle. Jennings said his office was alerted to two cases where motorists had been placed in higher and more expensive categories because of incorrect weight information.
One driver reportedly received an $82 refund, while another was refunded $71 after her Hyundai Elantra was recorded as weighing more than 3,700 pounds — about 700 pounds above its actual weight.
The cases have prompted Jennings to question whether similar errors could exist in other motorists’ records.
“What we are hearing preliminarily is that it was certain cars that were, their classification numbers, were off in the system,” he said. “We’re hoping it’s not too many of them, but of course, for the ones they find, they’re going to have a three-year backlog of having a higher rate.”
The senator said the problem may be linked to changes made to the state’s vehicle classification system.
During the 2024 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly introduced an additional weight category for most types of vehicles, increasing the number of classifications from two to three.
To help determine the appropriate category for registered vehicles, the MVA used VINtelligence, a national vehicle database operated by Mobility Global and used by various businesses, including insurance companies, dealerships and parts manufacturers.
The MVA said it has not established how widespread the issue may be and is currently conducting a detailed review of its records and the weight data provided through VINtelligence.
In a statement to FOX45 News, the agency said it remains committed to addressing motorists’ concerns and ensuring that vehicle records are accurate.
The MVA said it does not currently have information indicating that the errors represent a widespread problem but encouraged drivers who suspect inaccuracies in their registration records to contact the agency.
The agency added that it is working with Mobility Global to examine accurate, industry-supported vehicle weights.
Because the review is still in its early stages, the MVA said it would be premature to determine the full scope of the problem. The agency expects to provide additional information once the review is completed in October.
The MVA also said motorists whose overpayments are identified during the review will be contacted and refunded where appropriate for the current registration period.
