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February 7, 2007 12:32 PM

Has any one used a title agent in Maryland instead of getting a title and registration at the Motor Vehicle Administration?

I moved to Maryland last October and it took me several months to gather up the millions of pieces of paperwork needed to get a driver's license in Maryland. Now that I've finally got my car inspected--I really, really don't want to go back to deal with my title and registration.

And of course, you can only get title and registration done on a weekday--weekends are for driver's licenses only. Ugh.

Has anyone used a title agent and found it a pleasant experience? I'm willing to pay more if I don't have to take a day off from work to languish at the MVA.

posted by divka to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

I believe my brother has used one of these before...and is still attempting to pry the title out of their hands.

Which MVA are you going to? Some of them are significantly better than others (I recommend Frederick or the one in Mt. Airy, Gaithersburg is a shithole.)
posted by sperose at 1:58 PM on February 7, 2007

You get to avoid the MVA, but it ain't like their offices are Club Med. Lines are shorter, though. Make sure to call ahead and so you know exactly what you need to bring.

Most MVA branches have separate lines for title/registration (as opposed to licenses). If you're willing to get up early, lining up a half-hour before they open will usually get you out the door 15-30 minutes after they open.
posted by deadfather at 2:02 PM on February 7, 2007

I've been going to the Gaithersburg one. Going to one of the other MVAs would require taking even more time off of work, though--which is what I'm trying to avoid.

And I'm not looking for Club Med--I'm looking to not have to take half a day off of work. If I hear here that I'm going to get scammed at one of these places, of course, then I'll suck it up and do what I have to do at the MVA.
posted by divka at 2:09 PM on February 7, 2007

Seconding avoiding the Gaithersburg MVA. When I lived in Rockville I used to go to the Beltsville location because Gaithersburg was such a horror, in terms of lines and service.
posted by needled at 4:08 PM on February 7, 2007

My dad swears by the Beltsville one for being much easier to use than the Gaithersburg one. Also, having all your paperwork ready to go (which it seems like you have) can help ease the headdesking that can occur.
posted by sperose at 6:23 PM on February 7, 2007