What Your Maryland Driver License Record Contains

Your Maryland driver license record is a file the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) keeps about your driving history. It includes every license you have held in Maryland, all traffic violations and convictions, accidents you reported, suspensions or revocations, points on your license, and any restrictions or endorsements tied to your license. This record follows you — if you move to another state, that state can see your Maryland history through the National Driver Register.

The MVA maintains two versions of your record. The driving record is what you can request and review yourself. The abstract is the official document the MVA issues to employers, insurance companies, or courts when they ask for it. Both come from the same file, but the abstract is the legal version used in hiring decisions and insurance underwriting.

Understanding what is in your record matters because errors happen — violations recorded under your name that you did not commit, or violations that should have been dismissed but were never removed. Insurance companies and employers see these errors too, which can cost you money or a job offer. Checking your record regularly is the only way to catch and fix them before they cause problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Maryland driving record includes all licenses, violations, convictions, accidents, suspensions, points, and restrictions tied to your name and license number.
  • You can request your own record online through the MVA website, by mail, or in person at an MVA office for a small fee.
  • Errors on your record — violations you did not commit or dismissals that were never recorded — must be corrected by contacting the court or MVA with proof.
  • Employers and insurance companies request the official abstract, not your personal copy, so they see exactly what the MVA has on file.
  • Points from violations stay on your record for three years from the conviction date, and suspensions or revocations appear until they are lifted.

How to Request Your Own Driving Record

You have three ways to get a copy of your Maryland driving record. The fastest is online through the MVA website at mva.maryland.gov. You will need your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The online record costs $3.50 and is available when ready after you pay. You can print it or save it as a PDF.

If you prefer to request by mail, send a written request to the Motor Vehicle Administration, Driving Records Unit, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062. Include your full name, date of birth, driver license number, and a check or money order for $3.50 made payable to the State of Maryland. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. You can also visit any MVA office in person and request your record at the counter — the fee is the same, and you receive it on the spot.

When you receive your record, check every detail. Look for violations you do not remember, accidents you did not report, or points that should have expired. If you see something wrong, write down the violation number, the date, and what is incorrect. You will need this information to file a correction request.

Understanding Points, Violations, and Suspensions on Your Record

Maryland uses a point system to track unsafe driving. Each violation adds a certain number of points to your record. For example, speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point; speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over is 2 points; reckless driving is 6 points. Points accumulate, and if you reach 8 points within 24 months, the MVA will suspend your license. If you reach 12 points within 24 months, the suspension is longer.

Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, not from the date of the violation. This means if you were convicted in January 2022, those points fall off in January 2025. Once they fall off, they no longer count toward a suspension. However, the violation itself remains on your record permanently — it just stops adding to your point total.

A suspension means you cannot legally drive. The MVA suspends your license for specific reasons: reaching too many points, failing to pay a traffic fine, failing to appear in court, or being convicted of certain crimes. A suspension has a set end date, and once that date passes, your license is automatically reinstated if you have no other holds on it. A revocation is more serious — it means your license is cancelled and you must reapply and pass the written and driving tests to get a new one. Revocations usually result from DUI convictions or multiple serious violations.

How to Correct Errors on Your Maryland Driving Record

If your record contains a violation you did not commit or a conviction that was dismissed, you must file a correction request with the MVA. Start by contacting the court that handled the case. Ask the court clerk to send you a certified copy of the disposition — the official document showing the case was dismissed, acquitted, or the charge was reduced. This is your proof that the violation should not be on your record.

Once you have the court document, send it to the MVA Driving Records Unit at the address listed above, along with a letter explaining what is wrong and what the court document proves. Include your driver license number and date of birth. The MVA will review the court document and update your record if it matches. This process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. You can call the MVA at 410-787-7758 to check the status of your correction request.

If the error is something other than a dismissed or reduced charge — for example, a violation recorded under your name that you believe is a case of mistaken identity — contact the MVA directly before going to the court. The MVA can tell you which court handled the case and help you figure out the next step. Do not assume the error will fix itself; the MVA does not automatically clean up records, and errors can stay for years.

What Employers and Insurance Companies See

When an employer or insurance company requests your driving record, they receive the official abstract from the MVA, not a personal copy. The abstract shows your current license status, all violations and convictions from the past three to five years (depending on what they request), points, suspensions, and revocations. It does not show violations that have aged off the point system, but it does show the conviction itself.

Insurance companies use your record to set your rates. A violation like speeding or a minor accident may raise your premium by 10 to 30 percent, depending on the company and your history. A DUI or reckless driving conviction can double your rates or cause the company to drop you entirely. Employers, especially those hiring for positions that require driving, use your record to assess risk. A suspension or revocation on your record can disqualify you from jobs that involve a company vehicle.

You cannot prevent employers or insurers from seeing your record if they request it — that is part of the public record. However, you can correct errors before they see it. This is why checking your own record regularly matters. If you find an error and correct it before an employer or insurer pulls your abstract, they will see the corrected version.

How Long Violations and Suspensions Stay on Your Record

Maryland has different timelines for different types of violations. Points expire three years from the conviction date. Violations and convictions remain on your record permanently, but they stop counting toward suspension after three years. Suspensions are removed from your record once the suspension period ends and your license is reinstated. Revocations stay on your record until you reapply and are granted a new license.

Insurance companies and employers may look back further than three years. Many insurers check the past five years; some check the past seven. A conviction from four years ago will not add points to your license anymore, but an insurance company can still see it and use it to set your rates. This is why a clean driving record over time matters — as violations age, fewer companies will see them, and your rates will eventually return to normal.

If you have a suspension that has ended, make sure the MVA has actually removed it from your active record. Sometimes administrative delays mean a suspension stays listed even though it should be lifted. Request your record to verify, and if the suspension is still there after the end date has passed, contact the MVA to have it cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see what violations are on my record without paying the fee?

No. The MVA charges $3.50 for a copy of your driving record, whether you request it online, by mail, or in person. This is the official fee set by the state. Some MVA offices may offer a brief verbal summary of your record status if you visit in person and ask, but a written copy always costs the fee.

How do I know if my license is suspended or revoked?

The fastest way is to check online at mva.maryland.gov using your driver license number and date of birth. You can also call the MVA at 410-787-7758 and speak to a representative. If your license is suspended, the MVA can tell you the reason and the end date. If it is revoked, they will tell you what you must do to reapply.

Will an accident I reported show up on my driving record?

Yes, if you reported it to the police or filed a report with the MVA, it will appear on your record. Accidents you reported to your insurance company but not to the police may not show up on your MVA record, but your insurance company will have it in their own file. Reported accidents stay on your record for several years.

Can I remove a violation from my record if I paid the fine?

No. Paying the fine does not remove the violation from your record. The violation stays on your record permanently. However, if you were convicted and later the conviction was dismissed or reduced by the court, you can file a correction request with the MVA to have the record updated to reflect the new outcome.

What should I do if someone else's violations are on my record?

Contact the MVA when ready at 410-787-7758 and explain that violations under your name belong to someone else. Ask for the case numbers and court information for each violation. Then contact each court and file a complaint about the error. Provide the court with proof of your identity and ask them to correct their records. Once the court corrects it, send that correction to the MVA.