How Long Do Points Stay on Your Maryland Driver’s Record?

how long do points stay on your license in md

Have you ever received a traffic ticket and paid it outright, or have you ever gone to court for a traffic offense and been found guilty? If you answered yes to either question, chances are you have points on your license. Point accumulation on your driver’s license is highly unfavorable, as it can lead to your driving privileges being suspended or even revoked.

With the consequences of having too many points on your driver’s license evident, many people wonder whether or not points expire after a certain amount of time. The Law Office of Hillel Traub can help you explore the Maryland Driver’s License Point System, the consequences of point accumulation, and how long points remain on your driver’s license.

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WHAT IS THE MARYLAND POINT SYSTEM?

Every state has a method of tracking licensed drivers’ infractions. In Maryland, we use the point system. The system implements consequences for drivers who receive numerous traffic citations, such as speeding tickets, with penalties that intensify as the number of points on your record increases. These points can be accumulated, and too many will result in a revoked driver’s license and other reduced rights.

You’ll receive a mailed warning letter after getting three to four points and be required to complete a driver improvement program after five to seven points. The loss of driving privileges comes into the picture once you surpass seven points on your license as eight to eleven points will lead to license suspension. Your license will be revoked after receiving twelve or more points.

Although you can receive points for traffic violations, not all infractions will result in points being assessed to your driver’s license. Point values will be determined based on the type of traffic offense. Violations the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will issue points for include, but are not limited to:

DUI: 12 points
Reckless Driving: 6 points
Aggressive Driving: 5 points
Driving With a Suspended License: 3-12 points
Causing a Collision Involving an Emergency Vehicle: 3 points
Exceeding the Speed Limit by 10 to 19 mph: 2 points

Driving a limited speed vehicle on a forbidden highway can also attract penalties and add points to your record.

The number of points you receive for particular traffic offenses may increase if your actions cause an accident. Some of these are generally tracked through use of a traffic control device, and violations are added to your driving record when applicable.

HOW LONG DO POINTS STAY ON YOUR RECORD IN MARYLAND?

Points will stay on your driver’s license in Maryland for two years. The two-year period dates back to the initial date of the violation and not when the points were added to your license. For example, if you received a speeding ticket on October 1, 2018 but didn’t pay the ticket until the final day of the 30-day period (October 31), the two-year period would still end on October 1, 2020.

Each infraction you receive points for has its own two-year period for expiration, meaning that if you were to get and pay another speeding ticket on December 23, 2018, those points would stay on your record until December 23, 2020.

How to Check Points on Your Maryland Driver’s License

Knowing the number of points on your Maryland driver’s license is crucial for maintaining your driving privileges and understanding your record. Here’s a step-by-step guide to check your points:

Visit the Maryland MVA Website
Go to the official Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) website at mva.maryland.gov.

Log in to Your Account
Create or log in to your MyMVA account. You’ll need personal information such as your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number to access your driving record.

Request Your Driving Record
Navigate to the “Driving Records” section and request a copy of your record. You can view or download it instantly for a small fee. This report will show any points on your license and additional details about past violations.

In-Person Request
If you prefer, visit a local MVA office to request your driving record. Bring your driver’s license and be prepared to pay the required fee.

Use a Third-Party Service
Some third-party websites offer driving record checks, but ensure they are reputable and secure. Note that these services may charge higher fees than the MVA.

Keeping track of your points can help you avoid license suspensions and make informed decisions about driving courses or legal assistance to reduce your record’s impact.

HOW CAN A LAWYER HELP YOU WITH YOUR CASE?

If you are concerned about the number of accumulated points on your driving record, you don’t have to manage legal matters alone. The Law Office of Hillel Traub can help you expunge points from your record and maintain your driving rights. We can support you in many ways, including:

Conducting an independent investigation
Negotiating with every party
Preparing your case for court
Collecting evidence
Consulting with experts
Assuring that all documents are filed correctly and in a timely manner
Communicating with the other parties on your behalf
Organizing and presenting the evidence
Accessing research methods and tools only available to legal professionals
Connecting you with additional legal specialists who can assist with your case
Reducing stress related to your legal circumstances

The Law Office of Hillel Traub is here to support you every step of the way.

CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF HILLEL TRAUB FOR INVALUABLE SUPPORT AND REPRESENTATION

The easiest way to avoid point accumulation is by not paying a traffic citation. By paying the ticket, you agree to have the points added to your record. Agreeing to have more points placed on your record can result in revocation of your driver’s license. Traffic offenses, such as failing to make way for an emergency vehicle or permit vehicle, can attract penalties and result in the application of the driver’s license point system. The more favorable option is to have a Baltimore traffic offense attorney fight the ticket for you. Even if the courts don’t dismiss or lessen the fine, your attorney can ensure that no points are added to your license.

The Law Office of Hillel Traub can analyze the facts of your case and implement a defense strategy to help settle your legal issue on the most favorable terms. Contact us today at (410) 580-1100 or reach out on our website for a free consultation.

FAQ ABOUT THE MARYLAND POINT SYSTEM

How long do points stay on your license in Maryland?

Points will stay on your license in Maryland for two years. The two-year period dates back to the initial date of the violation, and not when the points were added to your license.

What’s the point system for speeding in Maryland?

Can I get points on my license for a speeding ticket in Maryland?

In Maryland, you can receive points on your driving record for traffic violations, including speeding. You may also receive points if you fail to drive the minimum posted speed limit or drive too slowly. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will issue 2 points for exceeding the speed limit by 10-19 mph. The points you receive for a particular infraction may increase if your actions caused an accident.

How can I see how many points are on my license in Maryland?

Every state has a method of tracking licensed drivers’ infractions. Maryland uses the point system to implement the consequences for drivers who receive numerous traffic citations with penalties. To learn more about the system or to check your driving status, visit https://www.dmv.com/md/maryland/dmv-point-system.

How to get points off your license in MD?

In Maryland, you can have your points removed from your license through the process of expungement. Expungement is a process of the removal of points and/or violations from your driving record that were placed there due to being convicted of various types of traffic infractions. You may be able to expunge points through the Maryland District Court, but we strongly recommend you work with a lawyer for support.