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When you buy a car, you transfer car ownership from the seller to yourself. In Maryland, this procedure is governed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The MVA maintains the database of vehicles in the state to ensure that every car has an identifiable owner and is registered to drive on the road. As your car dealer, we'd like to explain how the process works in Silver Spring, MD. Forms To Be Completed When you buy a car, several forms must be completed for you to become the new owner of the vehicle. All of these forms must be completed and taken to the local office of the MVA. We've set out the different forms below. Car Title Transfer This form, the VR-005, is vital as it identifies you as the legal owner of a car. When you buy a vehicle from us, for example, a sporty 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, we will complete the Maryland Certificate of Title with you. You will fill in the buyer section of the form and sign and date it. We will complete the seller section and sign and date it as a dealership. more Insurance Every car in Maryland must have insurance to legally be on the road. We will give you all the details of your new car so you can arrange insurance. Proof of insurance must be sent to the MVA with the other documents. Security Interest Filing Statement This form, the VR-217, isn't completed if you're paying cash for your car. if you're financing your car, this form needs to be completed to register the lien on your vehicle with the MVA. If you're arranging to finance separately from the dealership, you'll need the details from your finance company to complete this form. Bill of Sale You'll need a copy of the bill of sale, form VR-181, for the MVA. We'll complete this form for you and give you copies. Certificate of Inspection This certificate confirms that your vehicle has been inspected and fully complies with the safety requirements to be able to drive on the roads in Maryland. As your dealer, we will already have inspected your car, so we'll complete this form for you. Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Test (VEIP) When you buy a car here in Montgomery County, MD, you will need to get a VEIP test for your vehicle. The VEIP test shows that your vehicle fully complies with the emission requirements to drive. There is an official VEIP test center in Montgomery County where your vehicle can be tested. 11 weeks prior to the due date for your car, you will get notified by e-mail. If your e-mail address isn’t on file, 6-8 weeks prior you will get notified by mail. Find Your New Car for Sale in Silver Spring, MD Once these forms are completed, they get sent to the MVA. The MVA will send you your new car title within eight weeks. Now you know the procedure for transferring a car title, come in and choose your new vehicle at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring. We offer a variety of new SUVs, trucks, cars, and minivans.

If you are caught driving without a valid driver's license, you could get into serious trouble. This is why it's important for people who need to renew licenses to understand when they should get theirs renewed. Here's what you need to know about renewing your license in Silver Spring, MD. Renew License: How Often Do You Need to Renew Your Maryland Driver's License in Silver Spring, MD? Driving is one of the most useful and convenient ways to get around, but if you want to drive, you need to make sure you complete your Maryland car registration and have a valid driver's license. You can get your license by first getting your learner's permit and then passing your road test. more But even once you get your full license, there are some things you'll need to do to keep your license valid. One important thing to make sure you do is to renew your license. You will need to head to your MVA every 5 to 8 years to renew yours. How Do You Know It’s Time to Renew? You will get notified ahead of your license expiration by MDOT MVA. When you get this notification, you will also get instructions for renewal. To renew your license, you can head to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, also called the MDOT MVA. You may also be eligible for online renewal. Some people choose to renew by mail, which is also an option. If you go this route, make sure to send in all necessary documents at least 15 days before your expiration date. Will You Get Notice? You might want to mark in your calendar ahead of time when you need to renew your license. But don't worry, you'll still get a notice from the MDOT MVA that it's time to renew your license. You should get your notice by both mail and email that you need to renew your license that will give you time to renew. Remember that the MDOT MVA will send this information to whatever addresses they have on hand, so if you've moved or changed emails, make sure to update them. What Do You Need to Bring to Renew? To renew your driver's license, there are a few things that you'll need with you. What specific documents you should have depends on the method you are using to renew your license. If you are eligible for renewing online, the process will be fast and secure and can easily be done from your personal computer. If you decide to go renew it in person or by mail, there is some extra documentation you might have to take with you. The MDOT MVA will tell you specifically what to bring. Get a Quality New Car in Silver Spring, MD at Our Dealership It is illegal to drive without a valid driver's license, so it's important to make sure that you renew your license on time. To drive safely, you also need to make sure you have a quality car. Visit us at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to see what we have available in our new car inventory and used cars.

Any local Marylander will tell you that traffic in and around Silver Spring, MD can be challenging, especially during rush hour. Luckily there are plenty of great resources available to check up on traffic conditions before hitting the road. Here are some excellent sites to check for traffic updates in Maryland. 1. MDOT CHART The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has a task force for helping drivers adapt to road conditions. The Coordinated Highway Action Response Team (CHART) maintains a traveler information page to keep Maryland drivers informed about traffic, maintenance, lane closures, and more. Featuring links to a variety of apps, charts, and other data from across the state, CHART's traveler information page is possibly the best resource for state-wide traffic information in Maryland. more MDOT's dozens of traffic cameras are all available to stream life, so drivers can take a look at on-the-ground conditions at roads, bridges, and intersections along their route. Users can even see what's displayed on amber signs throughout Maryland. A comprehensive list of local weather stations shows up-to-the-minute weather at dozens of places around the state. CHART even provides the data from speed sensors to see precisely how fast traffic is flowing. 2. CHART Interactive Map CHART's beautiful interactive GIS mapping application is an elegant interface to the many cameras and incident reports available through the traveler information portal. Clickable markers show the locations of each traffic cam, accident, and lane closure in the state on the clickable, scrollable, zoomable map. As users zoom out, markers of each type dynamically combine to avoid crowding the map and expand when clicked to show each individual point. Clicking on a camera marker brings up a live feed from the camera right on the map, to quickly check how traffic is flowing at an important place on a route. Incident report markers show details about reported accidents, scheduled maintenance, downed trees, and anything else drivers might need to navigate Maryland roads. 3. WBAL TV WBAL TV 11 is another great source for Maryland traffic information. The Baltimore-based NBC affiliate provides excellent traffic reports as part of its local news coverage, focusing on the Baltimore-Washington area. WBAL also maintains an interactive traffic map. In addition to showing construction and accidents, it also plots markers for slowdowns which provide details about the size of traffic backups across the region, including the expected length of time of each delay. It's a fantastic resource for routing around crowded sections of the highway during rush hour. 4. WTOP News Washington's venerable news radio station is renowned in the DC area for its excellent coverage of regional traffic and road conditions. Generations of commuters in Maryland and across the region have tuned into WTOP for its regular, comprehensive coverage of traffic on the major roadways. For those already in the car, WTOP radio is a trusted source for concise, up-to-the-minute traffic reports from its famous "glass-enclosed nerve center" in Friendship Heights. Drivers who haven't yet hit the road can also access an interactive map provided by WTOP. In addition to covering slowdowns, accidents, and other incidents, it also embeds WTOP's excellent traffic report Twitter feed, which curates reports from both WTOP's reporters and government sources. Keep Your Vehicle Reliable with Auto Service at Our Silver Spring Service Department These four excellent sources take the guesswork out of a trip on Maryland roads in Silver Spring and beyond. Get in touch with DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to stay up to date on your car’s maintenance.

Whether you visit Maryland from DC or live here in Silver Spring, MD, you're likely familiar with the 16th Street traffic circle and how intimidating it can be while driving in it. Since improvements were made recently, we thought it would be a good time to review these traffic marvels and how to interact with them in the wild. The state has a detailed website about roundabouts that's worth checking out, but here are the basics for drivers. 1. Bicyclists & Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way Safety first, and that means letting the bicyclists and pedestrians go first. The rules for these users are on the website linked above if you happen to not be in a car when you hit this traffic circle, but the same basic rules apply to everyone. more 2. Yield; Don't Stop Turning into a roundabout is a lot like making a right turn at an intersection: the vehicles already in motion in the traffic circle have the right-of-way. Once you are in the traffic circle, you will have the right-of-way, too. Until then, look for a gap to safely enter the traffic flow. 3. Traffic Moves Counter-Clockwise In the United States, and definitely here in Maryland, our traffic circles move counter-clockwise, which means traffic flows in the opposite direction than the hands of a clock turn. You will want to revisit rules about traffic circles if you travel elsewhere though because this rule can vary depending on local traffic patterns. 4. Stay in the Inner Circle Until Your Exit Pay attention to the signs and you will see what exit to take. There's no shame if you need to do an extra circle or two to figure it out. Sometimes there can be a lot of signs. Just be sure to use your turn signal as you’re switching lanes, and as you enter and exit the traffic circle. 5. Don't Stop for Vehicles Entering the Circle You have the right of way now! You may cause an accident if you try to stop and let someone in. Go with the flow of traffic around the circle until you reach your desired exit. If you haven't figured out which exit you need, then take another lap in the inner circle. 6. Use Your Turn Signals This is one of the best ways to avoid accidents in and out of traffic circles. Once you see your exit, use your turn signal, and exit the roundabout to continue on with your journey. This lets other drivers know what your intentions are so that they can act accordingly. Find a Dependable New Car in Maryland for All Your Travels While traffic circles may seem dangerous, studies show they actually reduce crashes when people know how to use them by slowing vehicles down and reducing the possibility of head-on and T-bone collisions. If you do find yourself needing a new car, be sure to explore the vehicles available at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring - your premier car dealership in Silver Spring, MD.

Knowing what to expect in any situation can save you a lot of stress, especially when you're dealing with getting a permit. Before you head to your local Silver Spring MD, MVA for your permit test, you need to be prepared so that you know what to expect and so you don't have to make that same trip twice. 1. You Have to Have the Right Forms Forms are non-negotiable whenever you do anything at the MVA and applying for a learner's permit is no different. You will need every form listed online, no exception. Reviewing the web page listing the necessary documents is the best way to prepare so that you have every single form and won't be sent home. more 2. You Need to Schedule an Appointment Once you have all of the forms and signatures you need for your application to qualify, you must schedule an appointment. To avoid a wait, schedule in advance to avoid any kind of backlog at the office. Don't wait until the last minute or you might be waiting to get that permit. 3. Your Vision Will Be Tested You will be required to take a vision test since good eyesight is a requisite for driving. If you haven't been to the eye doctor in a while, you may want to schedule an appointment ahead of time to see if you need glasses or contacts. If you do wear contacts or glasses, make sure to have them in or have them with you on the day of your appointment so that you can see well. 4. You Will Have to Take a Test When you walk into your appointment, you won't be able to hand in the documents, receive your permit, and go home. After your vision test, you will be required to take a test. The good news is you can practice for this in advance thanks to the online practice test. You can also read through the Maryland Driver's Manual to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road so you can successfully pass the test. 5. It Will Cost You You'll have to pay a fee of $50.00 to get your permit. Knowing this in advance can prevent a lot of disappointment and frustration if you show up without a way to pay. While most MVAs take credit cards, have the cash to cover the cost and a little extra in case there are any additional fees you weren't aware of. 6. You Won't Get Your Actual Permit Right Away Even after you successfully pass your test, you won't get your permit right away. You may be given a temporary document, but your official permit will be mailed to you in the mail, usually within a few weeks of your visit. However, with a temporary permit, you can still begin practicing driving right away. New Cars for Sale in Silver Spring, MD to Start Your Driving Adventure On your way home from your appointment, what better way to spend your time than looking at your future vehicle. Your parent or guardian may eventually be getting you a vehicle, and when that time happens, we'll be ready to help. Visit us today at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to browse our extensive collection of new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and Wagoneer models!

New residents in Silver Spring, Maryland must get their vehicle registered within 60 days of moving to the state. This guide to the basics of Maryland car registration will help you take care of this task before time runs out. Registration Application To apply for vehicle registration and title in Maryland, you can visit a Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) office or tag and title service in person or apply through the mail by sending your documents directly to the MVA. You'll be required to present proof of ownership, which is the existing title to the vehicle that identifies you as the owner. If you have a car loan, you'll need to have your lender send the title to the MVA. more Once the MVA receives the title, the agency will tell you how much you owe in excise tax. You'll then send a completed Application for Certificate of Title, car insurance information, Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, title fee, lien recording fee, and excise tax to the MVA. You may also be required to provide proof of the vehicle's value, a copy of the lease agreement, lien release, and power of attorney (if another person is signing the documents for you). Excise Titling Tax In Maryland, the excise titling tax is 6% of the total purchase price for recently purchased vehicles or $640, whichever is greater. The purchase price must be verified by an MVA Bill of Sale (form VR-181), and this form must be notarized and signed by both the buyer and the seller. If the car has not been recently purchased, the excise titling tax will be 6% of the valuation in an MVA-approved national publication of used vehicle values. If your vehicle is more than seven years old, the excise tax will be based on 6% of the purchase price or $640, whichever is greater. In the event that a national publication of used vehicle values is used to set the value of your car, the total value may be increased or decreased based on the mileage or condition of the car. Insurance You must provide proof of insurance when you register your car in Maryland. Your insurance company must be licensed in Maryland, and you are required to carry a minimum of $30,000 per person in bodily injury and at least $15,000 for property damage. A copy of your policy should be attached to the registration documents when you apply for registration. Safety Inspection Certificate All used vehicles in Maryland must be inspected at a licensed Maryland inspection station, of which car dealerships are one. This certificate verifies that the car meets the state's safety standards and is valid for 90 days from the date of the inspection. Brand new vehicles do not have to submit this certificate, as they are assumed to meet the standards. Find Your New or Used Car in Silver Spring, MD at Our Dealership Today When you move to Maryland, you'll want to take care of your vehicle's registration as soon as possible to get the lowest excise tax rate possible. Do you need a new car? Come on over to DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring, buy a new car, and let us take care of the registration application for you.