Driving on a suspended license in Maryland is a criminal offense that carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension

If your Maryland driver's license is suspended and you drive anyway, you are committing a misdemeanor. The penalties depend on how many times you have done it before and why your license was suspended in the first place. A first offense can result in up to 60 days in jail, a fine between $100 and $500, and an additional suspension period added to the one already in place. A second offense within five years increases the jail time to up to 90 days and the fine to between $200 and $750. A third or subsequent offense within five years can mean up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000.

The reason your license was suspended matters. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or failure to pay court costs, the penalties are typically lower than if you were suspended for a serious violation like a DUI or reckless driving conviction. Driving with a suspended license due to a medical condition or failure to maintain insurance carries different consequences than driving after a suspension for a criminal offense.

Maryland law does not distinguish between knowingly driving on a suspended license and driving without knowing your license was suspended. If you receive notice that your license has been suspended and you drive anyway, you are breaking the law. The state sends suspension notices by mail to the address on file with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), so it is your responsibility to check your mail and know the status of your license.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving on a suspended license in Maryland is a misdemeanor with penalties ranging from 60 days to one year in jail depending on how many prior offenses you have.
  • Fines range from $100 to $1,000, and your suspension period will be extended beyond the original suspension date.
  • The Motor Vehicle Administration sends suspension notices by mail, and you are responsible for knowing whether your license is suspended.
  • You can check your license status online through the MVA website or by calling the MVA before driving.
  • If your license was suspended for a specific reason like unpaid tickets or child support, you may be able to have it reinstated by addressing that reason.

Why your license gets suspended in Maryland

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration suspends licenses for many reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, failure to maintain auto insurance, conviction of a DUI or DWI, reckless driving, accumulating too many points on your driving record, or failure to appear in court for a traffic violation.

Some suspensions are automatic. If you are convicted of a DUI in Maryland, your license is suspended when ready for a set period — typically 45 days for a first offense, though the court can impose a longer suspension. If you fail to maintain the minimum required auto insurance and the MVA is notified, your license is suspended automatically. If you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record within two years, your license is suspended for a period determined by the MVA.

Other suspensions come from administrative actions. If you owe unpaid traffic fines or court costs, the court can request that the MVA suspend your license. If you owe child support and the state's child support enforcement office requests it, the MVA will suspend your license. These suspensions remain in place until you pay what you owe or make arrangements to pay.

How to learn about your license is suspended

You can check your license status online through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration website without paying a fee. Go to the MVA's online services page, select "Check License Status," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked, and in many cases it will tell you why.

If you prefer to check by phone, you can call the MVA at 410-787-7758 (in the Baltimore area) or 1-800-950-1MVA (1-800-950-1682) from anywhere in Maryland. Have your driver's license number ready. The MVA can tell you the reason for the suspension and, in some cases, what you need to do to have it lifted.

You can also visit an MVA office in person to check your status. Bring your driver's license or state ID. This option takes longer but allows you to ask questions and get detailed information about your specific situation.

Reinstating your license after suspension

The process for reinstatement depends on why your license was suspended. If you were suspended for unpaid traffic tickets or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed. Once the court receives payment, it notifies the MVA, and your suspension is lifted. This can take a few business days.

If you were suspended for failure to maintain auto insurance, you must obtain a new insurance policy and provide proof to the MVA. You can do this by mail, online, or in person at an MVA office. The MVA charges a $100 reinstatement fee in addition to any other fines or costs.

If you were suspended for accumulating points on your driving record, you must wait out the suspension period set by the MVA. You cannot shorten this suspension by paying a fee. However, you can take a defensive driving course, which may reduce the number of points on your record and help you avoid future suspensions.

If you were suspended for a DUI conviction, reinstatement is more complex. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, complete an alcohol education program, and pay reinstatement fees. The specific requirements depend on whether it was a first, second, or subsequent offense and on any conditions the court imposed.

If you were suspended for unpaid child support, you must contact the child support enforcement office and either pay the amount owed or set up a payment plan. Once the office confirms that you are in compliance, it requests that the MVA lift the suspension.

What to do if you are stopped while driving on a suspended license

If a police officer stops you and discovers your license is suspended, you will be cited for driving on a suspended license. The officer will issue you a citation, which is a formal notice that you are accused of a crime. Do not argue with the officer or try to explain why you did not know your license was suspended — anything you say can be used against you in court.

Ask the officer for a copy of the citation and ask what court you need to appear in. The citation will include a court date or instructions on how to contact the court to schedule one. Keep the citation in a safe place.

Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. An attorney can review the circumstances of your stop, determine whether the officer had legal grounds to stop you, and advise you on your options. In some cases, an attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges or penalties.

Defenses and legal options

If you are charged with driving on a suspended license, you have the right to defend yourself in court. One possible defense is that you did not receive notice of the suspension. If the MVA sent the suspension notice to an outdated address and you never knew your license was suspended, this may be a valid defense. You would need to show that you did not receive the notice and that you took reasonable steps to keep your address current with the MVA.

Another possible defense is that the suspension was issued in error. If the MVA suspended your license by mistake — for example, if it confused you with another person or if it suspended you for a debt you had already paid — you may be able to have the charge dismissed once the error is corrected.

A third option is to negotiate with the prosecutor. If this is your first offense and you have since had your license reinstated, the prosecutor may agree to reduce the charge to a lesser offense or to dismiss the charge in exchange for a guilty plea to a traffic violation. This is called a plea bargain.

You also have the right to request a trial. At trial, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knew your license was suspended and that you drove anyway. If you believe the evidence against you is weak, you can ask for a trial and let a judge or jury decide your case.

Avoiding suspension in the first place

The best way to avoid the consequences of driving on a suspended license is to prevent your license from being suspended. Pay all traffic tickets and court costs on time. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the court and ask about payment plans or community service options.

Maintain continuous auto insurance. In Maryland, you are required to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $65,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. If your policy lapses, notify your insurance company when ready and reinstate it. The MVA can suspend your license if you drive uninsured, even for a single day.

Drive safely and follow traffic laws. Avoid speeding, reckless driving, and other violations that add points to your record. If you accumulate 12 points within two years, your license will be suspended. Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, so even one serious violation can put you at risk.

If you are ordered to pay child support, make your payments on time. If you are having difficulty making payments, contact the child support enforcement office and request a modification of the order rather than straightforward not paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?

No. Maryland law does not allow you to drive for any reason while your license is suspended, including driving to work, to school, or to medical appointments. The only exception is if you have obtained a restricted license or work permit from the MVA, which is available only in limited circumstances and requires a separate process process.

What is the difference between a suspended license and a revoked license?

A suspended license is temporary — it will be reinstated after a certain period or once you meet specific conditions. A revoked license is permanent, and you must wait a set period (usually one to five years) before you can reapply for a new license. Revocation is typically imposed for serious offenses like multiple DUIs or reckless driving causing injury.

Will a suspended license show up on a background check?

A suspended license is a matter of public record and may appear on some background checks, particularly those conducted by employers or landlords. However, it is not a criminal conviction unless you are convicted of driving on a suspended license. If you are convicted of that offense, it will appear as a misdemeanor on your criminal record.

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?

Maryland does not issue hardship licenses or work permits for most types of suspension. However, if your license was suspended for failure to maintain insurance, you may be able to request a restricted license that allows you to drive only to and from work, school, or medical appointments. You must petition the MVA and show that the suspension causes you undue hardship. The MVA approves very few of these requests.

How long does a suspension stay on my driving record?

The length of time a suspension remains on your record depends on the reason for the suspension. Some suspensions last 30 days, others last several months or years. Once your license is reinstated, the suspension itself stays on your record for your entire driving history, though it does not affect your ability to drive once the suspension period ends. If you are convicted of driving on a suspended license, that conviction stays on your record for three years.