Maryland suspends your license when you reach 8 points within a 24-month period
Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) uses a point system to track traffic violations. When your driving record accumulates 8 points in any 24-month window, the MVA will suspend your license automatically. The suspension lasts until you meet reinstatement requirements, which typically include paying a fee and waiting a set period.
Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date. This means an old violation can drop off and help you avoid suspension, but only if you stay violation-free during that window. A single serious violation can put you close to suspension when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your Maryland license suspends automatically when you reach 8 points within 24 months, regardless of the types of violations.
- Common violations carry different point values: speeding 1–3 points, reckless driving 6 points, DUI 12 points, and hit-and-run 8 points.
- Points remain on your record for exactly 24 months from the violation date, then drop off automatically.
- You can request a hearing before the MVA if you believe a violation was recorded incorrectly or want to contest the suspension.
- Reinstatement requires paying a suspension fee (currently $100 for a standard suspension) and waiting the required period before driving again.
How points are assigned for different violations
Not all traffic violations carry the same point value. Maryland assigns points based on the severity of the offense and the danger it poses to other drivers. Speeding violations are the most common and carry 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Driving 1–10 mph over the limit is 1 point; 11–20 mph over is 2 points; 21 mph or more over is 3 points.
More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 6 points. A DUI or DWI conviction is 12 points — enough to suspend your license when ready, even on a first offense. Hit-and-run, failure to obey a traffic signal, and improper lane changes are each 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points.
Equipment violations and minor infractions like broken taillights or expired registration typically carry 0 points, though you still must fix the problem to avoid a ticket.
The 24-month window and how old violations affect your total
Maryland counts points only within a rolling 24-month period. This means the MVA looks back exactly two years from today and adds up all violations within that span. Once a violation reaches its two-year anniversary, it drops off your record and no longer counts toward suspension.
If you received a violation 25 months ago, it no longer counts. If you received one 23 months ago, it still counts. This is why timing matters: you might be at 7 points today, but if your oldest violation is due to drop off in 30 days, you could stay under the 8-point threshold by avoiding new violations.
You can check your current point total by visiting the MVA website or calling the MVA at 410-787-7758. The MVA will tell you exactly how many points you have and when each violation will drop off your record.
What happens when you reach 8 points
The suspension is automatic — you do not receive a warning or a chance to pay a fine instead. Once the MVA records your eighth point, your license is suspended. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the suspension date, the length of the suspension, and what you must do to reinstate your license.
The length of a suspension depends on whether this is your first suspension or a repeat offense. A first suspension typically lasts 6 months. If you have been suspended before, the second suspension may last longer — often 12 months or more. The notice you receive will state the exact length.
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation worth 6 points and can result in criminal charges, fines up to $500, and jail time. The consequences compound quickly, so it is important to stop driving when ready once you receive the suspension notice.
Reinstatement requirements and fees
To reinstate your license after suspension, you must wait out the suspension period and then pay a reinstatement fee to the MVA. The standard reinstatement fee is $100. You cannot reinstate early by paying extra or by taking a defensive driving course — you must wait the full suspension period.
Once the suspension period ends, you can submit your reinstatement fee online through the MVA website, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. You will receive a new license or a document confirming reinstatement. Some suspensions also require you to pass a written test or vision test before reinstatement, though this depends on the reason for the suspension.
If you are unable to pay the $100 fee, contact your local MVA office to discuss payment plans or hardship options. The MVA may allow you to pay in installments in certain situations.
Requesting a hearing to contest the suspension
You have the right to request a hearing before the MVA if you believe a violation was recorded incorrectly or if you want to contest the suspension. You must request the hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. The request must be in writing and sent to the address listed on your notice.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violation should not have been recorded or that the point total was calculated incorrectly. You can bring documents, witness statements, or other proof. If the hearing officer agrees with you, the violation may be removed from your record and the suspension may be lifted.
If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, you lose the right to contest the suspension. The suspension becomes final and you must complete the reinstatement process.
Defensive driving courses and point reduction
Maryland allows you to reduce your points by taking an approved defensive driving course. Completing the course removes up to 3 points from your record. However, you can only use this reduction once every three years, and you cannot reduce points below zero.
The course must be approved by the MVA. You can find a list of approved courses on the MVA website. Most courses take 4 to 8 hours and cost between $50 and $150. Some are offered online, while others are in-person classroom settings.
Taking a defensive driving course does not prevent a suspension if you are already at 8 points — the suspension is automatic and when ready. However, if you are at 5 or 6 points, completing the course before you receive another violation could keep you below the 8-point threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work during a license suspension?
No. A suspension means you cannot legally drive for any reason, including work, medical appointments, or school. Driving during a suspension is a separate criminal offense. Some states offer restricted licenses for work-only driving, but Maryland does not provide this option for standard suspensions.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Maryland suspension?
Yes. Maryland counts violations from other states if you were driving a vehicle registered in Maryland or if you hold a Maryland license. The MVA receives reports from other states through the Interstate Compact, a system that shares driving records between states.
What if I pay a traffic ticket — does that remove the points?
No. Paying the ticket does not remove points. The violation and its points remain on your record for 24 months regardless of whether you paid the fine. The only ways to remove points are to wait 24 months, complete a defensive driving course (up to 3 points), or win a hearing to have the violation removed.
How long does reinstatement take after I pay the fee?
If you pay online or in person at an MVA office, reinstatement is usually when ready or within one business day. If you mail your payment, allow 7 to 10 business days for processing. You should receive confirmation by mail or email once your license is reinstated.
Can I get my license back early if I take a driving course?
No. Defensive driving courses reduce points but do not shorten a suspension that has already begun. You must wait the full suspension period, then pay the reinstatement fee. A course taken during the suspension may help prevent future suspensions, but it will not end the current one.