Why Can a Driver’s License Be Suspended or Revoked in Maryland?

Maryland drivers need a valid license to get to their jobs, run shopping and other errands, visit friends, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the state. So, losing your right to drive can have serious financial and personal consequences. There are many reasons why a driver’s license can be suspended or revoked. The ability to regain the right to drive depends on many factors.

At Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, my representation includes asserting your rights when you receive any type of traffic violation citation. I contest criminal charges and the administrative violations, including the offenses that lead to traffic violations that can result in a suspension or a revocation – and the actual suspension or revocation.

What circumstances can lead to the suspension or revocation of a Maryland driver’s license?

Some of the reasons a driver may lose their driving privileges include the following:

• Violating a specific driver’s license restriction. For instance, if you are required to wear corrective lenses and you fail to do so, your license could be suspended for up to six months.
• Not paying your driving violation tickets. If you fail to pay any type of traffic ticket (including parking tickets and speeding tickets), you may lose your driving privileges, unless you file a proper appeal.
• Acquiring too many points. Many moving violations carry points for violations. Examples include:
  • Failing to stop at a red signal/stop sign
  • Not using a turn signal
  • Changing lanes improperly
  • Not turning in a “turn only” lane
  • Excessive speeding tickets
  • DUI and DWI offenses
  • Loaning or borrowing a driver’s license
• Refusing to submit to an alcohol test. All Maryland drivers give their implied consent to take a breath test or a blood test if a police officer has a reasonable suspicion that the driver was intoxicated while driving. The length of the suspension varies depending on factors such as whether you refused the test, took and failed the test (and the level of your BAC), prior offenses, and if you are a regular or a commercial driver. The suspension for a refusal to submit to a test is 270 days for a first offense and two years for a second refusal.
• A DUI or a DWI conviction. Your license can be suspended or revoked if you are found guilty of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offense. The length of the suspension or the possibility of a revocation is based on the driver’s record of prior offenses and other factors.
• A determination of medical unfitness. For example, seniors who have dementia are considered a danger to other drivers.

In Maryland, the number of points on your driver’s record may reduce every two years. The MVA only looks back two years for purposes of determining a license suspension or revocation (some serious violations might be relevant for longer). However, insurance companies can look back three years. The Maryland points system works as follows:

• After the accumulation of 4 points, the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will send you a warning letter.
• After the accumulation of 5-8 points, drivers need to finish a driver’s education program – which does not reduce the driver’s point total.
• After the accumulation of 8-11 points, the driver’s license is suspended.
• After the accumulation of 12 points, the driver’s license is revoked.

Our lawyer can order a copy of your driving record, including the assessment of points and the status of your license.

Contesting the suspension or violation

The best way to avoid a suspension or a revocation due to specific traffic violations or criminal offenses is to contest the underlying charges. Our Annapolis suspended license lawyer has 25 years of experience working to obtain dismissals, acquittals, and plea reductions of criminal offenses.

The second way to avoid a suspension or a revocation is to request an MVA administrative hearing. There are different time limits for requesting a hearing:

• For suspensions due to points on your record. Within 15 days of the suspension notice.
• For suspensions due to restriction violations. Before the suspension date.
• For suspensions due to DUI/DWI/refusal to give breath or blood samples. Within 30 days of the suspension notice.

Our suspended driver’s license lawyer can review with you the time limit for requesting the hearing, the filing fee, and any other related issues. For suspensions due to other reasons, such as medical reasons, we can explain your rights.

We also help expunge driving records when possible. The ability to clear your driving record depends on many factors, including your overall driving record, whether the violations were due to moving violations, and other factors.

Reinstatement of a suspended Maryland driver’s license

Our criminal defense lawyer can fight to obtain a dismissal or acquittal of your suspension or revocation before the MVA. If we’re successful, we can help you with the formalities to get your license reinstated.

If you don’t file an appeal or your appeal is denied, then you’ll need to follow the following steps to regain your license:

• Wait until the suspension period is over.
• Complete a driver improvement program and other conditions, if necessary.
• Pay any fines or fees.
• Apply for a duplicate driver’s license, if necessary, for a suspension.
• Apply for reinstatement, for a revocation.
• Comply with any other required conditions.

Eligibility for a restricted driver’s license

The Maryland MVA may authorize a restricted driver’s license for those who meet the requirements. A restricted driver’s license allows drivers to drive to and from work, school, and specifically authorized locations.

Drivers with a DUI/DWI/refusal violation may be required to install an ignition interlock device after their suspension is completed.

What happens if a driver drives on a suspended license or a revoked license in Maryland?

The penalties for operating a vehicle without proper licensing privileges are severe. The penalties generally include one of the following:

• A license suspension for a failure to pay fines or appear in court (if the driver’s vehicle is uninsured). The penalty can include up to two months in jail and a fine of $500.
• A driver has a suspension due to various crimes, such as DUI offenses or the driver drives on a revoked license. The driver can be imprisoned for up to two years and ordered to pay up to $1,000 in fines. Penalties can increase for subsequent violations.

If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation or a crime that could result in a suspension or revocation of your license, attorney Drew Cochran is ready to fight for you. Phone us or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation. We’ve helped many defendants regain their driving privileges.

“And remember — Keep Calm, and Call Drew.”