In an effort to combat the rising trend of catalytic converter thefts, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has partnered with the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council to offer Maryland motorists free catalytic converter labels. These labels are designed to deter theft and aid in the recovery of stolen converters by providing a visible identification number that law enforcement can trace.
Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer emphasized the national scope of the issue, stating, “We know catalytic converter thefts are a national problem and have significant consequences to the vehicle owner. We’re excited to offer one important solution to Marylanders to help protect their vehicle.”
Motorists can request their free catalytic converter label through their myMVA account. Upon selecting the “Catalytic Converter Label ID” option in the “Other” category of their vehicle information section, the label kit and sticker number will be mailed to the customer’s address. It’s crucial for customers to ensure their address details are current with the MVA.
Once the label is received, customers are required to register it with the Pin2Vin’s National Database. This registration allows stolen catalytic converters to be traced back to the vehicle from which they were removed. The MVA has also collaborated with the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association and the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association to facilitate the chemical etching of the label serial number onto the catalytic converters at select Maryland dealerships at no cost.
Catalytic converters are frequently targeted by thieves for their valuable metal components, including rhodium, palladium, and platinum, with replacement costs averaging around $1,200 in Maryland. Christopher T. McDonold, Executive Director of the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, highlighted the broader impact of these thefts, stating, “Catalytic converter theft has impacted the livelihood of many individuals across the State of Maryland that rely on their vehicles for activities that include getting to and from work and supporting their families.”
Statistics from January 2021 through March 2022 show a significant trend in catalytic converter thefts in Maryland, with 3,411 incidents involving 4,456 vehicles reported. The majority of these incidents occurred in eight counties, including Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil, impacting predominantly vehicles manufactured by Ford, Toyota, Honda, or Chevrolet.
While the MVA offers these labels for free on a first-come, first-served basis, motorists can also purchase additional labels through a designated link provided by the MVA.
