The 10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Maryland

Whether you missed a court date or were at fault for a fatal accident, driving with a suspended license in Maryland could land you in jail.
Written by Sarah Williams
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Your license can be suspended or revoked in Maryland for various reasons ranging from failing to pay child support to causing a fatal accident, driving with a fake ID, or getting a DUI. Driving with a suspended license in Maryland is a serious offense that can lead to steep fines and even imprisonment, and it'll definitely affect the cost of
car insurance in Maryland.
Driving is a privilege we often take for granted, but you can lose that privilege easier than you might think. If you’re not sure about the nitty-gritty of having your license revoked or suspended, it’s your responsibility as a driver to learn more about driving laws. 
License suspension regulations are not to be taken lightly.
Jerry
has created this guide to the most common ways to get a suspended license in Maryland.
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What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?

The words “suspension” and “revocation” are often used interchangeably when referring to losing driving privileges—but they actually have different meanings! Here’s what each term means: 
  • A license suspension refers to a temporary loss of driving privileges for a specific time period.
  • A license revocation refers to a more permanent loss of driving privileges, often requiring the driver to reapply for their license. 
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) can suspend or revoke your
driver’s license
for various reasons, ranging from failing to pay child support to being at fault in a fatal accident. The penalties for driving with a suspended license can include fines, increased insurance rates, and even jail time. 

What can your license be suspended for in Maryland? 

The MVA can suspend your license for a wide range of offenses. Be mindful of the following violations to avoid losing your driving privileges. 

1. If you fail to pay traffic fines

Maryland issues fines for a variety of traffic violations like speeding. If you fail to pay these fines, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will notify and cite the number of days you have to pay your ticket and the date your license will be suspended if you don’t

2. If you fail to appear for a traffic summons

Failure to appear in court for a scheduled hearing is a common cause of license suspension or revocation. The court will notify the MVA, and your license will be suspended

3. If you fail to comply with driving restrictions 

Many drivers are given restrictions or requirements they must follow to drive legally. These are things like refraining from driving at night or wearing glasses when behind the wheel. Failure to comply with your specific requirements can lead to a required court appearance and license suspension. 

4. If you have certain physical or psychological conditions

The MVA has a list of conditions they require drivers to disclose ranging from epilepsy to diabetes to narcolepsy. Just because you have a condition on their list doesn’t mean you will necessarily be prohibited from driving, though. 
The Driver Wellness and Safety Division (DW&S) may send some forms for you and your doctor to complete. They will then decide if your case should be reviewed by the Medical Advisory Board (MAB). The MAB may be in touch for more information. 
They will then provide their opinion to DW&S, which will decide whether or not your driving privileges will be restricted. 

5. If you collect too many violation points

Depending on the number of demerit points you accumulate, you could have your license suspended or even revoked. The Maryland District Court notifies the MVA after you are convicted of a vehicle-related law violation, and they then apply the points to your driving record. 
If you have three to four points, the MVA will send you a warning letter. Five to seven points will lead to a required Driver Improvement Program, and after eight to 11 points, the MVA will send you a notice of suspension. If you have 12 or more points, you will receive a notice of revocation.

6. If you don’t pay child support

Even non-traffic-related issues can impact your driving rights, like not paying child support. Failure to do so—or falling behind on your payments—can result in the MVA suspending your license. Once you are behind, you have 60 days to pay. 

7. If you commit a violation that causes death 

The most serious cause for a Maryland suspended license is being at fault in a fatal car accident. The best way to avoid this is to carefully follow the rules of the road and
Maryland's car accident laws.

8. If you are under 21 driving with a fake ID

Driving with a fake ID in the state of Maryland is a serious offense. Not only will you face a fine of up to $500 and up to two months in prison. In addition, 12 points will be added to your driving record and your license could be suspended or revoked

9. If you have a BAC over 0.08 or refuse a breathalyzer test

The consequences for
driving under the influence in Maryland
depend on your blood alcohol content (BAC), how many offenses you’ve had, and if there was an accident involved. 
If you submit to a breathalyzer test and your BAC is between 0.08 and 0.14 your license can be suspended for anywhere between six months and two years. If you submit to a test and your BAC is 0.15 or more, you face between a six-month suspension and a complete revocation of your license. 
If, however, you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test, the minimum suspension you will receive is 270 days. It is always better to agree to a breathalyzer test if given a choice. 

10. If you don’t maintain Maryland car insurance

Maryland requires drivers to have a
minimum amount of insurance
of 30/60/15. That means $30,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property liability per accident. 
Driving with no insurance can lead to fines, impoundment of your license plates, invalidation of your vehicle registration, and prohibition of registering future vehicles or renewing your registration until all insurance violations have been cleared and every fine paid. After your first offense, your license and/or registration will be suspended. 

How to save money on car insurance in Maryland

Regardless of what your Maryland driving record looks like, you can find the lowest available car insurance rates by downloading
Jerry
, the No. 1-rated insurance app in the App Store. 
In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies, and as a
licensed broker
, Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. 
No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.
“I saw an ad for
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on Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have a terrible driving record, but Nathan still helped me. Before, almost no one wanted to insure me. Now, I have a great policy and save $200/month. I’m one happy gal!” —Terri C.
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