The Maryland motor vehicle power of attorney is a document that lets a vehicle owner (the principal) name another person (the agent) to handle vehicle matters for them. These matters typically include the vehicle's titling, registration, and sale. Pick an agent you trust, since they will sign vehicle paperwork for you.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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A motor vehicle power of attorney lets your agent handle vehicle paperwork for you. People often use one when they cannot visit a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration office in person, for example while traveling. Unlike general Maryland powers of attorney, this document is specifically for actions related to motor vehicles. Here are the main components of Form VR-470:
| Document Name | Maryland Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney Form |
| State Form Name | Form VR-470 |
| Relevant Link | Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 15 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 26 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
The Maryland Annotated Code, specifically within the Estates and Trusts title, Sections 17-101 to 17-204, outlines the laws regarding the creation, use, and termination of power of attorney.[2] This document automatically terminates in case of the principal’s death, revocation by the principal, or expiration of the term specified in the document.
If the principal decides to revoke the power of attorney, they should do so in writing and notify the Maryland MVA and any other parties that might have relied on the form.
The steps below follow the FormsPal Maryland motor vehicle power of attorney template that you can download from this page. Each step matches one part of the template, from top to bottom. Fill in the parts in order, then continue to the signing steps that follow.
The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Maryland Maryland Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.
Principal and Agent
At the top of page 1, enter your name and address on the first lines. Then enter the name and address of the person you appoint as your agent (attorney-in-fact). This individual will have the authority to act on your behalf regarding the motor vehicle specified.
Motor Vehicle Description
Write the Make, Model, Year, VIN Number and Odometer reading of the vehicle, and add any Other Identifying Characteristics. The powers listed below this block are printed on the template, so there is nothing to check.
Social Security Number/Tax ID Number and Date of Birth
Enter your Social Security Number or Tax ID Number and your date of birth on the two lines under the powers paragraph. The effective date statement below them is printed and needs no entry.
Successor Attorney-in-Fact
At the top of page 2, repeat your agent's name. Then enter the name and address of the alternate agent who would step in if the first agent cannot serve.
Date, Signature and Printed Name
Fill in the day, month and year on the Signed this line. Then sign above the (signature) label and print your name below it. If you plan to use the notary block on page 3, sign in front of the notary.
Acknowledgment: County, Date and Names
Page 3 is a notary acknowledgment block. The county, the date, the officer's name and title, and the name of the person signing are filled in when you sign in front of the notary.
Officer Signature and Seal
The notary or other officer signs the Signature line and adds the seal. Leave this line empty for them.
Spell each name the same way on every page, and compare it with the matching ID before you move on.
Once the template is filled in, a few practical steps remain before your agent can use it. Go through the list in order, and keep a copy of everything you sign.
Names and Addresses
Begin by entering the full legal names (first, middle, last) and addresses (street address, city, state, zip code) of both the vehicle owner and, if applicable, the co-owner. This section must be completed accurately to establish who grants the power of attorney. Then compare each name and address with the matching ID.
Sign and Date the Form
Both the vehicle owner and the co-owner (if applicable) must sign and date the form.[1] The agent (attorney-in-fact) also needs to sign and provide their capacity, along with the date. Under Maryland Estates and Trusts § 17-110, a power of attorney signed on or after October 1, 2010 must be in writing, signed by the principal (or by someone else at the principal’s direction and in the principal’s physical presence), acknowledged before a notary public, and witnessed and signed by two or more adults.[3] The MVA’s Form VR-470 has no notary or witness blocks of its own, but this signing rule still applies.
Attach Identification and Submit
Attach a copy of the vehicle owner’s driver’s license to verify identity. Once all parts of the form are completed, review the document to ensure all information is correct. Then, submit it to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) or keep it on hand during relevant transactions.
It is a document that lets a vehicle owner name another person to handle vehicle matters for them. These matters typically include the vehicle's titling, registration, and sale. The person you name is called the agent.
Have these details ready before you start:
On average, it takes about 15 minutes. The template has 26 fillable fields, so it helps to have the vehicle and contact details ready.
Yes. The template comes as an Adobe PDF, and you can fill in, edit, and sign it with the FormsPal PDF editor.
Select Create My Document, answer a few simple questions, then save your progress, print the document, or download it as a PDF.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
