Maryland suspends your license for specific violations, and the suspension length depends on what caused it

Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) suspends licenses for reasons that fall into a few categories: unpaid traffic tickets or court fines, driving under the influence (DUI), accumulating too many points, failing to maintain insurance, and child support arrears. The suspension is automatic in most cases — you do not receive a warning first. Once suspended, you cannot legally drive in Maryland or any other state, and driving on a suspended license carries its own criminal penalties.

The length of suspension varies. A suspension for unpaid fines might last until you pay; a DUI suspension typically runs 45 days to three years depending on whether it is your first offense; a point-based suspension (12 points in two years) lasts three months for a first offense. Child support suspensions stay in place until the state confirms you are current. Insurance-related suspensions (called a "failure to maintain" suspension) last until you file an SR22 form and pay a reinstatement fee.

You will receive notice by mail at the address on your license. The notice states the reason, the effective date, and how long the suspension lasts. If you move and do not update your address with the MVA, you may not receive the notice, but the suspension takes effect anyway.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland suspends licenses automatically for unpaid fines, DUI convictions, 12 points in two years, lapsed insurance, or child support arrears.
  • Suspension length ranges from 45 days for a first DUI to indefinite for unpaid child support, depending on the cause.
  • You must address the underlying reason (pay fines, complete DUI programs, wait out the point period, file SR22, or resolve child support) before the MVA will reinstate your license.
  • Driving on a suspended license in Maryland is a criminal offense that can result in fines up to $500 and jail time, plus additional suspension time.
  • The MVA charges a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $150) once you have resolved the suspension cause.

Suspension for unpaid tickets, fines, and court costs

When you receive a traffic ticket in Maryland and do not pay the fine or fail to appear in court, the court notifies the MVA. The MVA then suspends your license. This suspension stays in place until you pay the full amount owed — the fine itself, any court costs, and sometimes late fees. You cannot get a partial credit for a partial payment; the entire balance must be cleared.

If you received the ticket in Maryland, you pay through the District Court or Circuit Court that issued it. If you received it in another state, you will need to contact that state's court system. Some courts allow payment by phone or online; others require you to appear in person or mail a check. The MVA does not collect the payment — the court does — so you must contact the court directly, not the MVA.

Once the court confirms payment, it sends notice to the MVA. The MVA then processes your reinstatement, which typically takes five to ten business days. You will still owe the reinstatement fee at that point.

Suspension for DUI or alcohol-related driving offenses

A DUI conviction in Maryland triggers an automatic license suspension. The length depends on whether this is your first offense and whether anyone was injured. A first DUI conviction results in a 45-day suspension; a second conviction within ten years results in a one-year suspension; a third or subsequent conviction results in a three-year suspension. If you refused a breath or blood test, the suspension is longer — typically one year for a first refusal.

Before you can drive again, you must complete a Maryland DUI education program (called the Alcohol Education Program or AEP). The court orders this as part of your sentence. You cannot skip it or complete it elsewhere; it must be a program approved by the Maryland Department of Health. The program typically costs between $300 and $500 and takes several weeks to complete.

After you finish the program and your suspension period ends, you must file an SR22 form with the MVA and pay the reinstatement fee. The SR22 is a certificate from your insurance company stating that you carry the minimum required liability coverage. Without it, the MVA will not reinstate your license.

Suspension for accumulating too many points

Maryland assigns points to moving violations — speeding is 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit, reckless driving is 6 points, and so on. If you accumulate 12 or more points within two years, the MVA suspends your license for three months. A second offense (12 points in two years again, after the first suspension ends) results in a six-month suspension. A third offense results in a one-year suspension.

Points expire after two years from the violation date. If you received a ticket on January 15, 2023, that point drops off on January 15, 2025. The MVA counts only points that are still active when calculating whether you have hit 12. You cannot remove points early by taking a defensive driving course in Maryland (though some states allow this), but you can reduce points by completing a Maryland Driver Improvement Program course, which removes one point from your record.

Once your suspension period ends and your points drop below 12, you can request reinstatement. You will still owe the reinstatement fee.

Suspension for driving without insurance

Maryland requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. If you let your policy lapse or cancel it, the insurance company notifies the MVA. The MVA then suspends your license. This is called a "failure to maintain" suspension, and it stays in place until you obtain new insurance and file an SR22 form.

The SR22 is not insurance itself — it is a document your insurance company files with the MVA confirming that you have purchased a policy and that the company will notify the MVA if you cancel it again. You must carry the SR22 for three years from the suspension date. If you cancel your policy during that time, the insurance company automatically notifies the MVA, and your license is suspended again.

Once you have purchased insurance and your agent has filed the SR22, the MVA typically processes your reinstatement within five to ten business days. You will owe the reinstatement fee at that time.

Suspension for child support arrears

If you owe child support and fall behind on payments, the Maryland Department of Human Services can request that the MVA suspend your license. This suspension is indefinite — it does not end after a set period. It ends only when the state confirms that you are current on your payments or have made an arrangement with the child support office to catch up.

You will receive notice of the suspension by mail. The notice includes contact information for the child support office handling your case. You must contact that office, not the MVA, to resolve the issue. The office will review your account and tell you what you owe and what payment plan, if any, is available.

Once you have resolved the arrears or set up a payment plan that the office approves, the office notifies the MVA. The MVA then processes your reinstatement. You will still owe the reinstatement fee.

The reinstatement process and fees

Regardless of the reason for suspension, the reinstatement process is the same once you have resolved the underlying issue. You must visit an MVA office in person or submit your request by mail. You will need to provide proof that the suspension cause has been addressed — a court receipt for paid fines, a DUI program completion certificate, an SR22 form, or written confirmation from the child support office.

The reinstatement fee in Maryland is typically $100 to $150, depending on the type of suspension. You pay this fee at the time of reinstatement. Some MVA offices accept payment by check, credit card, or debit card; others accept cash only. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods your local office accepts.

Processing time is usually five to ten business days after you submit your reinstatement request. During this time, your license remains suspended. Once the MVA processes your reinstatement, you will receive a new license by mail or can pick it up at an MVA office.

Penalties for driving on a suspended license

Driving on a suspended license in Maryland is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. A second offense within ten years carries a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. A third or subsequent offense carries a fine up to $500 and up to one year in jail.

In addition to these penalties, the court can suspend your license for an additional period — typically six months to one year. This means your suspension gets longer, not shorter. If you are stopped while suspended, the officer will likely impound your vehicle, and you will have to pay towing and storage fees to retrieve it.

Insurance companies also view a conviction for driving on a suspended license as a serious violation. Your rates will increase significantly, and some companies may refuse to insure you at all. You may be required to file an SR22 even if your original suspension was not insurance-related.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a work permit or hardship license while suspended?

Maryland does not issue work permits or hardship licenses for most suspensions. The only exception is for suspensions related to unpaid child support — in some cases, the child support office may allow limited driving for work purposes while you resolve the arrears. Contact your local child support office to ask about this option. For all other suspension types, you must wait out the suspension period or resolve the underlying cause.

What happens if I move out of Maryland while suspended?

Your Maryland suspension follows you to any other state. If you are stopped for a traffic violation in another state and the officer runs your license, the suspension will show up in the national database. You can be arrested for driving on a suspended license even if you are in a different state. You must resolve the suspension with the Maryland MVA before you can legally drive anywhere.

How do I check if my license is suspended?

You can check your license status on the Maryland MVA website or by calling the MVA at 410-787-7758. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number. You can also visit an MVA office in person. If your license is suspended, the MVA will tell you the reason and what you need to do to resolve it.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I was suspended by mistake?

If the MVA suspended your license in error, you can request a review. Contact the MVA with documentation showing that the suspension was incorrect — for example, proof that you paid a fine before the suspension took effect, or proof that your insurance was active. If the MVA confirms the error, it will reinstate your license without charging the reinstatement fee. However, this is rare; most suspensions are correct.

Can I appeal a suspension?

You can request an administrative hearing to challenge a suspension, but only for certain types. Point-based suspensions and insurance-related suspensions can be appealed. DUI suspensions and suspensions for unpaid fines cannot — those are court-ordered. To request a hearing, contact the MVA within 30 days of receiving your suspension notice. You will need to explain why you believe the suspension is incorrect.