Why Was Your License Suspended in Maryland?
Despite an array of public transportation options, most people in Baltimore rely on driving to get around. Residents of Baltimore and the greater state of Maryland drive to hold down a job, take their kids to and from school, attend medical appointments, get groceries, and more. Losing the legal ability to drive through a driver’s license suspension often has drastic effects on a person’s everyday life.
Yet, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration may suspend a driver’s license for several reasons, many of which have little to do with driving a car. One of these is even failing to pay child support. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep a clean driving record. If you believe your Maryland driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, there are steps you can take to find out and learn why that’s the case.
POSSIBLE REASONS FOR A SUSPENDED LICENSE IN MARYLAND
The State of Maryland is one of a majority of states which imposes license suspensions for several driving and non-driving-related matters.
Millions of drivers across the country lose their licenses for failing to make payments. Examples of such payments include:
- Traffic tickets
- Child support
- Student loans
- Court fines and fees
- State taxes
Additionally, drivers who accumulate too many points on their licenses can eventually trigger a license suspension. Drivers incur points for committing traffic violations. Additional issues resulting in a suspended license may include the following:
- Alcohol-related offenses
- Accidents involving an emergency vehicle
- Traffic offenses
- Accidents resulting in serious injury
- Missing a court date
- Outstanding warrants
Payable traffic offenses incur fewer points than must-appear offenses; however, accumulating too many payable offenses can quickly result in getting your Maryland driver’s license suspended. Understanding the point system in Maryland is critical to avoiding this outcome.
3 STEPS TO FIND OUT IF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED
There are various ways to determine if your driver’s license has been suspended, including the following steps:
STEP 1: REQUEST YOUR DRIVING RECORD REPORT ONLINE
Your driving record report will indicate whether you have a valid or suspended driver’s license. Your report shows the number of points you have accumulated against your license and the reasons for those points. You may request a copy of your report online.
STEP 2: VISIT THE MARYLAND MVA IN PERSON
You may request a copy of your driver’s license history at your local Maryland MVA office. You can walk right up to the service counter to make this request. Be sure to take your driver’s license as proof of identification.
You will also incur a fee for this service, which you can pay in cash, with a credit card, or by personal check. You can also obtain your driving record from the MVA kiosks or via email from the MVA’s website.
STEP 3: ASK TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER AT THE MVA
While at the MVA office, ask to speak to a manager to determine the cause of your revoked driver’s license. Whether a failure to pay child support, facing other fines, or other issues, you deserve an answer.
Often, a revoked license is the result of an accumulation of 12 points in a two-year period. The MVA should have sent out a notice to let you know you have reached the threshold for a Maryland driver’s license suspension or to warn you that you are inching closer to that threshold. Typically, the MVA will send a written notice when you reach three to four points.
In many cases, it’s beneficial to have a lawyer on your case to help you keep your driving privileges and avoid the harsh penalties that follow a license suspension. In some cases, The Law Office of Hillel Traub can help you get your license reinstated.
CONTACT AN ATTORNEY AND FIGHT YOUR MARYLAND DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSION
Don’t ignore a driver’s license suspension or worse, drive on a suspended license. Talk to an attorney who serves Baltimore and surrounding areas about your license suspension the moment you discover the MVA has suspended your legal driving ability.
Attorney Hillel Traub has served Baltimore and surrounding areas for more than 30 years. Before representing the people of Maryland, he served as a former lawyer for the MVA, which gives him vital insider knowledge that can help your case. Reach out to our office by calling us at (410) 580-1100 or filling out our contact form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING YOUR LICENSE SUSPENDED IN MARYLAND
How do I check if my driver’s license is suspended in Maryland?
There are three steps to check and see if your license has been suspended in Maryland. First, request your driving record report online to see if you have a valid or suspended license; second, visit the Maryland MVA in person; and third, ask to speak to a manager at the MVA to determine the cause of your license suspension.
Often, a revoked license is a result of the accumulation of 12 points in a two-year period. We urge you not to drive if you have a restricted driver’s license.
What happens if you accumulate too many points on your Maryland driver’s license?
Drivers who accumulate too many points on their licenses eventually reach the right amount of points to trigger a license suspension. Drivers incur points for committing traffic violations and other non-traffic related actions.
Understanding the point system in Maryland is critical to avoiding the outcome of a suspended license.
Can I pay my citation to the Maryland MVA online?
While you have the option to visit the Maryland MVA online and to pay a traffic ticket through the website, a better option would be to talk to a lawyer about your motor vehicle violation to discuss ways of challenging the traffic ticket.