How to restore your suspended Maryland license
To get your suspended Maryland license back, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you do next. Maryland suspends licenses for different violations: unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, drug convictions, medical conditions, or accumulating too many points. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will not reinstate your license until you've resolved the underlying issue.
Start by contacting the MVA directly to learn the specific reason for your suspension. You can call them at 410-787-7758 (Baltimore area) or 1-888-769-0100 (toll-free), or visit an MVA office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. Once you know the reason, follow the steps below that match your situation.
Key Takeaways
- The MVA suspends licenses for specific reasons — unpaid fines, child support, drug convictions, or point accumulation — and you must resolve that reason before reinstatement.
- Contact the MVA by phone or in person to learn why your license was suspended, since the restoration process differs by reason.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines, complete a course, or provide proof of a resolved issue before you can request reinstatement.
- After resolving the underlying issue, you must submit a reinstatement request to the MVA, which typically takes one to two weeks to process.
- Some suspensions require an in-person visit to an MVA office; others can be handled by mail or online, depending on the reason.
Suspension for unpaid traffic fines or court costs
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic tickets or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before the MVA will reinstate it. Contact the District Court or Circuit Court that issued the ticket to confirm the exact amount due, including any late fees or collection costs that may have been added.
Once you've paid, request a receipt or confirmation from the court. The court will notify the MVA that the debt is cleared, but this notification can take one to two weeks. You can then contact the MVA to request reinstatement. Some people choose to bring their court receipt to an MVA office in person to speed up the process, though you can also mail it or request reinstatement by phone.
Suspension for unpaid child support
The Maryland Department of Human Services suspends licenses when child support payments fall behind. To restore your license, you must bring your account current — meaning you pay all back payments plus any interest or collection fees owed.
Contact the Child Support Enforcement Administration at 301-206-4600 to find out the exact amount due and your payment options. They can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Once your account is current, the Department of Human Services will send a release to the MVA. Request reinstatement from the MVA after you receive confirmation that your child support account is no longer in arrears.
Suspension for drug or alcohol convictions
Maryland suspends licenses automatically upon conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), possession of drugs, or certain drug distribution charges. The suspension length depends on the offense and whether it's a first or repeat conviction. For a first DUI, the suspension is typically 6 months; for repeat offenses, it can be one year or longer.
You cannot request reinstatement until the suspension period has ended. However, you may be may be able to access for a work permit that allows you to drive to work, school, or court during the suspension — ask the MVA about this when you call. After the suspension period expires, contact the MVA to request reinstatement. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 for most suspensions) and may need to provide proof of insurance or completion of an alcohol education program, depending on your conviction.
Suspension for accumulating too many points
Maryland uses a point system: traffic violations add points to your record, and accumulating 8 or more points within two years triggers a suspension. The suspension length depends on how many points you have — typically 3 months for 8 points, 6 months for 12 points, and longer for higher totals.
Like drug-related suspensions, you must wait out the suspension period before requesting reinstatement. Once the period ends, contact the MVA to request reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee. Your points will gradually fall off your record over time (points expire after two years), so staying violation-free during and after your suspension is important.
Suspension for medical reasons
The MVA can suspend your license if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely — epilepsy, severe vision loss, or certain cardiac conditions, for example. A doctor or the MVA itself may report the condition. To restore your license, you must obtain a medical evaluation from your doctor or a specialist and submit it to the MVA.
The form you need is the "Medical Evaluation Report" — the MVA can mail it to you or you can read it from the MVA website. Your doctor completes it and sends it back to the MVA. If the doctor confirms you are safe to drive, the MVA will reinstate your license. If the doctor recommends restrictions (such as daytime driving only or corrective lenses), your license will be reinstated with those conditions.
Steps to request reinstatement after resolving your issue
Once you've resolved the reason for your suspension, you have three ways to request reinstatement: by phone, by mail, or in person at an MVA office.
By phone: Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 or 1-888-769-0100. Have your driver's license number, Social Security number, and proof that you've resolved the issue (such as a court receipt or medical clearance). The MVA will confirm your may be able to access and process your reinstatement. You'll receive your reinstated license by mail within one to two weeks.
By mail: Send a letter to the MVA requesting reinstatement, along with copies of proof that you've resolved the issue. Include your name, driver's license number, and the reason your license was suspended. Mail it to: Motor Vehicle Administration, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062. Processing takes two to three weeks.
In person: Visit any MVA office with proof of resolution and your identification. Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies may not be accepted. In-person reinstatement is usually processed the same day, though you may need to pay the reinstatement fee on the spot.
Reinstatement fees and what to bring
Most license suspensions require a reinstatement fee of $100. Some suspensions (such as those for unpaid fines) may not require an additional fee beyond what you've already paid to resolve the underlying issue — confirm this with the MVA when you call.
Bring or send: your driver's license (or a copy), proof of resolution (court receipt, medical clearance, child support release, or other documentation), and payment for the reinstatement fee if applicable. If you're requesting reinstatement in person, bring your original documents; if by mail, send certified copies. Do not send original documents by mail — the MVA may not return them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Maryland and can result in fines, jail time, and further suspension. If you need to drive for work or school during a suspension, request a work permit from the MVA — you may be granted one depending on the reason for your suspension.
How long does reinstatement take?
If you request reinstatement by phone or in person, the MVA typically processes it within one to two weeks. In-person requests at an MVA office are often completed the same day. Mail requests take two to three weeks. The timeline begins after the MVA receives your request and confirms you've resolved the underlying issue.
What if I don't know why my license was suspended?
Call the MVA at 410-787-7758 or 1-888-769-0100 with your driver's license number or Social Security number. They will tell you the reason and what you need to do to restore it. You can also check your suspension status online through the MVA website if you have your license number.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require retesting. You straightforward resolve the issue that caused the suspension and request reinstatement. Your license will be restored with the same class and restrictions it had before the suspension.
What if I can't afford to pay the fines or fees right now?
Contact the court or agency that issued the debt (for fines, the District or Circuit Court; for child support, the Child Support Enforcement Administration) and ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay in installments. Once you've arranged a plan and made the first payment, you may be able to request a temporary work permit from the MVA while you complete the payments.