Check your Maryland license status online through the Motor Vehicle Administration
The fastest way to learn about your Maryland license is suspended is to use the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) online license status tool. You can check your status 24 hours a day without calling or visiting an office. Go to the MVA website, select "Check License Status," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the MVA at 410-787-7758 (Baltimore area) or 1-800-637-3692 (toll-free). Have your license number and date of birth ready. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays.
You can also visit an MVA office in person. Bring your license or state ID. Staff can print your status on the spot, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is. Find your nearest office on the MVA website.
Key Takeaways
- The MVA online license status tool is available 24/7 and gives you an answer in seconds using only your license number and date of birth.
- A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid; you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted and you meet any conditions to restore it.
- Common reasons for Maryland suspensions include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, drug convictions, and accumulating too many points from traffic violations.
- Once you know why your license is suspended, the MVA website lists the specific steps and fees required to restore it.
Why your Maryland license might be suspended
Maryland suspends licenses for many reasons, and the cause determines how you restore it. The most common reason is accumulating too many points from traffic violations. Maryland uses a point system: minor violations like speeding add 1 point, reckless driving adds 8 points. When you reach 8 points in a 24-month period, your license is suspended for 6 months.
Other frequent reasons include unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to pay child support, drug-related convictions, and driving with a suspended license. If you were convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI), your license is suspended automatically — the length depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you caused an accident.
Medical suspensions also happen: if you have a seizure disorder, heart condition, or other medical issue that affects your ability to drive safely, the MVA may suspend your license until you provide a doctor's clearance. Some suspensions are temporary (30 days to a year), while others last longer or until you complete a specific requirement, like paying a fine or attending a substance abuse program.
What the online status check will tell you
When you check your status online, the system displays one of four outcomes: valid, suspended, revoked, or cancelled. Suspended means your license is temporarily invalid and you cannot legally drive. The status page usually shows the reason for the suspension and the date it will be lifted — though if you have to complete an action (like paying a fine), the date may change once you do.
If your status shows suspended but does not list a reason, call the MVA to ask. Sometimes the reason is not displayed online, especially if the suspension involves a court order or another agency like the Department of Human Resources (for child support issues). The MVA staff can explain what you need to do to restore your license.
Revoked is different from suspended: it means your license has been permanently cancelled and you must reapply from the beginning, including retaking the written and driving tests. Cancelled usually means you did not renew your license before it expired, or you requested cancellation yourself.
Steps to restore your suspended license
The process depends on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for points, you must wait out the suspension period (usually 6 months) and then pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the MVA. You do not need to retake any tests.
If the suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine to confirm the exact amount and payment method. Once the court notifies the MVA that you have paid, your suspension is lifted.
For child support suspensions, you must contact the Department of Human Resources or the court handling your case to arrange payment or a payment plan. The agency will notify the MVA once the issue is resolved.
For DUI or DWI suspensions, you may need to complete a substance abuse program, install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and pay reinstatement fees. The MVA website lists the exact requirements based on your conviction. Some people also need to file an SR22 form with their insurance company, which proves you carry the minimum required coverage.
How long suspensions typically last
The length of a suspension varies widely. Point-based suspensions last 6 months for a first suspension, 12 months for a second within 5 years, and longer for additional suspensions. Unpaid fine suspensions last until you pay; there is no set timeline. Child support suspensions are lifted once you arrange payment or a payment plan.
DUI and DWI suspensions are longer: a first offense typically results in a 6-month suspension, a second offense within 10 years results in 12 months, and a third results in 18 months. If you caused an accident or had a high blood alcohol level, the suspension may be longer.
Medical suspensions depend on your condition and whether you can provide medical clearance. Some last a few weeks, others several months. The MVA will tell you what documentation you need from your doctor to lift the suspension.
What to do if you need to drive before your suspension ends
If your suspension is not yet over but you need to drive for work, school, or medical reasons, you may be able to request a work permit or conditional license. Maryland allows this in limited situations. You must file a petition with the MVA and show that the suspension causes undue hardship.
The MVA does not always grant these requests, and approval can take several weeks. You will need to explain your hardship in writing and may need to provide supporting documents like a job offer letter or school enrollment confirmation. Even if approved, a work permit usually restricts where and when you can drive — for example, only to and from work during business hours.
Contact the MVA directly to ask whether a work permit is possible in your situation. Do not drive on a suspended license while waiting for a decision; doing so is a separate criminal offense and can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving on a suspended license is illegal in Maryland and is a separate criminal offense. You can be arrested, fined up to $500 for a first offense, and face jail time. Your suspension will also be extended. The only exception is if you have been granted a work permit or conditional license by the MVA.
Will my insurance company know my license is suspended?
Yes. Insurance companies check license status regularly. If your license is suspended, your insurer will likely cancel your policy or refuse to renew it. You cannot legally buy insurance while suspended. Once your license is restored, you can reapply, though you may pay higher rates depending on the reason for the suspension.
How do I know if my suspension has been lifted?
Check the MVA online status tool again. It updates within one to two business days after the reason for your suspension is resolved (for example, after you pay a fine or complete a program). If the status still shows suspended but you believe you have met all requirements, call the MVA to confirm.
What if I was suspended by mistake?
Call the MVA when ready at 410-787-7758 or 1-800-637-3692 and explain the situation. If the suspension was issued in error, the MVA can correct it. If you believe the suspension is unjust but was issued correctly, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The MVA will explain how to file a hearing request.