DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

W. Lee Elgin, Commissioner, 1949
D. Marshall Schroeder, Deputy Commissioner
Owen R. E. McGeeney, Auditor
Michael A. Noppinger, Registrar of Titles.

Guilford Ave. at 21st St., Baltimore 18 Telephone: University 3900.

The Office of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles was established in
1910. The Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor for a
term of four years, serves as the Director of the Department. The
Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for the issuance of
drivers' licenses and for the titling, registration and licensing of all
motor vehicles operating continuously within the State..

The Department examines all persons seeking drivers' licenses in
the State, the examination includes a road test and a knowledge of
the motor vehicle laws of the State. These examinations are conducted
in Baltimore City and in eighteen other cities and towns throughout
the State. All motor vehicles registered in the State must have issued
for them a certificate of title. There is levied an excise tax of two
percent of the fair value of the vehicle for each original title registra-
tion and each subsequent transfer of title. The tax is collected by the
Department. All commercial vehicles operating within the State of
Maryland must carry financial responsibility insurance with an insur-
ance firm licensed to do business within the State. All policies carried
must be registered with the Department which issues a permit for
operation in the State. All persons involved in Motor Vehicle accidents
within the State and who are unable to satisfy a judgment arising
therefrom must present to the Department adequate evidence of finan-
cial responsibility before their operator's license can be restored. The
Department maintains a file on all accidents occurring within the
State, reports of which are required to be submitted by the terms of
the law, and in addition a record of each individual owner who has
been found guilty of a traffic violation..

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may refuse, suspend or revoke
an operator's license to any person whom he deems unfit or unable to
operate a Motor Vehicle. Appeals are permitted to the Courts from
the decision of the Commissioner, except in those cases where the
revocation is mandatory..

All fees collected for the registration and titling of Motor Vehicles
and all fines levied by Justices of the Peace, Magistrates, and the
Traffic Court of Baltimore City are collected by the Department for
deposit to the credit of the Motor Vehicle Revenue Fund (Code 1939
and 1947 Supp. Art. 66 1/2, secs. 3, 4, 21, 22, 78, 82, 88, 94-110H, 286)..

Publications: Annual Report of the Commissioner of Motor.

Vehicles, 1946..

Motor Vehicular Laws of Maryland, 1947.
Appropriations: 1948 1949.

Special Funds $796,353 $765,666
Staff: 264.