Maryland

Maryland's Transportation Article defines an "off-highway recreational vehicle" to include a motorcycle that is designed for off-highway operation and is not eligible for registration as a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle, commonly known as a dirt bike. The definition does not include an electric bicycle, a farm vehicle when used exclusively on farm property by a farmer, or any vehicle when used on residential property for landscaping, gardening, or lawn care. A "motor vehicle" is defined as a vehicle that is self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires and is not operated on rails, and "vehicle" includes an off-highway recreational vehicle. Separately, the Criminal Law Article defines an "off-road vehicle" as a motorized vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land or other natural terrain, and that term includes a motorcycle or a related two-wheel vehicle.

Md. Code, Transp. § 11-140.1(a)(3), (b); § 11-135(a)(1); § 11-176(a)(2); Crim. Law § 6-401(b), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Maryland, Md. Code, Transp. § 11-140.1(a)(3), (b); § 11-135(a)(1); § 11-176(a)(2); Crim. Law § 6-401(b), external site

Maryland's Criminal Law Article provides that, except as otherwise allowed by law, a person may not use an off-road vehicle on property known by the person to be owned or leased by the State or a political subdivision; "off-road vehicle" there includes a motorcycle or a related two-wheel vehicle. Natural Resources § 5-209(b)(3)(i) states that, prior to March 31, 1976, every off-road vehicle to be used on Department lands shall be registered and provided suitable identification by the Department, which charges an annual uniform fee; the term is defined to include motorcycles and related two-wheel vehicles. Only for the Department's designated ORV trails, COMAR 08.01.03.03 adds that the ORV must be registered annually with the Department and display a registration sticker, or be registered with the Motor Vehicle Administration as a licensed motor vehicle for on-road use, and that daily reservation permits must be acquired online through the Department's ORV permit reservation systems.

Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-405(c), § 6-401(b)(2); Nat. Res. § 5-209(b)(1), (b)(3)(i), § 10-410(d)(1)(ii); COMAR 08.01.03.03A(1), A(4), G, checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Maryland, Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-405(c), § 6-401(b)(2); Nat. Res. § 5-209(b)(1), (b)(3)(i), § 10-410(d)(1)(ii); COMAR 08.01.03.03A(1), A(4), G, external site

Maryland law requires each motor vehicle driven on a highway to be registered, except as otherwise provided in that section or elsewhere in the Maryland Vehicle Law, and a person may not drive a vehicle that is required to be registered on a highway in the State if it is not registered. The off-highway recreational vehicle definition describes a dirt bike as a motorcycle that is designed for off-highway operation and is not eligible for registration as a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle. If a person is convicted of driving an unregistered vehicle in a case that involved the use of an off-highway recreational vehicle on a highway, the court must notify the Motor Vehicle Administration of the violation. Section 25-102(a)(14) says the Maryland Vehicle Law does not prevent a local authority, as to highways under its jurisdiction in Allegany County and Garrett County, from authorizing a person to cross a highway on an all-terrain vehicle (which in that paragraph includes an off-highway motorcycle) at a right angle at not more than 25 miles per hour, or to operate one on not more than 5 miles of highway at not more than 25 miles per hour, or from designating a portion of highways for travel at not more than 25 miles per hour for the sole purpose of gaining access to trails, fields or another area where that operation is authorized.

Md. Code, Transp. § 13-402(a)(1); § 13-401(a), (b); § 11-140.1(a)(3); § 25-102(a)(14)(i), (iii), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Maryland, Md. Code, Transp. § 13-402(a)(1); § 13-401(a), (b); § 11-140.1(a)(3); § 25-102(a)(14)(i), (iii), external site

Maryland defines an "electric bicycle" as a vehicle that is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor, is equipped with fully operable pedals, has two or three wheels, has a motor with a rating of 750 watts or less, and meets one of three classes. A Class 1 motor assists only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 20 miles per hour; a Class 2 motor assists whether or not the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 20 miles per hour; a Class 3 motor assists only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 28 miles per hour. The off-highway recreational vehicle definition does not include an electric bicycle.

Md. Code, Transp. § 11-117.1(a), (b); § 11-140.1(b)(3), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Maryland, Md. Code, Transp. § 11-117.1(a), (b); § 11-140.1(b)(3), external site