Suspension Of Driver's License In Maryland State
Everyone understands that a driver's license is required to drive on public roads in the United States. Driving without a valid license is also illegal in Maryland. A person may not drive or attempt to drive a vehicle in this state unless they have a driver's license.
A Maryland driver's license suspension can take away your freedom to come and go as you please in an instant. Your license could be revoked for a variety of reasons.
License Suspension
Suspensions occur when a driver is temporarily barred from operating a motor vehicle legally for a set period. Revocations, however, are more serious because they frequently require obtaining approval from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration before individuals can legally drive again.
The requirements for getting your license reinstated after it has been suspended or revoked vary by case. The best way to avoid this is to be aware of what can cause you to lose your driving privileges.
Reasons For Suspension
The State of Maryland may choose to deny a person the right to drive for various reasons. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) usually suspends driver's licenses for driving-related reasons; however, some actions that have nothing to do with safely operating a vehicle can result in a license suspension.
Drivers in Maryland may lose their licenses for any of the following reasons. The state can extend the suspension period if a driver has already had his license suspended and continues to drive. Here are some reasons why Maryland drivers' licenses are suspended or revoked.
DUI Conviction
- A DUI conviction can result in jail time, fines, and points on your license. It is also one of the leading causes of drivers losing their driving privileges. Individuals' licenses may even be revoked depending on their driving record and the specifics of the incident. Following a conviction and receipt of an MVA notice of Revocation or Suspension, it is critical to contact an experienced MVA lawyer immediately to assist in retaining your driving privilege.
Points In Driver's License
- Another common reason for driver's licenses being suspended or revoked is point accumulation. Drivers in Maryland can accumulate up to seven points before losing their driving privileges. After 8 points, your license is suspended, and after 12 points, it is revoked.
As a result, if you receive a traffic citation, even if you believe it is a minor charge or would be too inconvenient to appear in court, you must immediately contact one of our attorneys to represent you. Failure to take care of that ticket or simply paying it will result in MVA assessing points, and the accumulation of points can result in license suspension or revocation.
Driving Restriction Violation
- Many drivers are subject to restrictions or requirements when operating a motor vehicle. Some drivers are deemed unsafe by medical professionals to drive at night, while others are required to wear glasses while driving. Similarly, a driver's age or previous legal history can impose restrictions that, if broken, can result in license suspension. This may necessitate appearing in court and before the MVA.
Failure To Pay Tickets
- Many people unknowingly underestimate the gravity of traffic tickets. When a police officer issues you a ticket, you have 30 days to take action, which can be either paying the ticket or requesting a trial, which is the preferred option. If you do not take action within 30 days, your driver's license will be suspended. This is true regardless of how minor the original ticket appeared to be.
Furthermore, if you contest the ticket in traffic court and the court ruling requires you to meet a requirement within a certain time frame and fail to do so, you risk revoking your license.
Refusing A Breathalyzer Test
- When a law enforcement officer stops you for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI), you have already agreed to take a breath test to measure the amount of alcohol in your system. You have the right to refuse an alcohol test, but doing so comes with consequences. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, your license could be suspended for 45 days to a year. When a test is refused or failed, and you are issued a temporary license while the police keep your regular license, you have a very short period to take action to protect your legal rights. You must contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and the implications of your decisions.
Failure To Appear On Court
- The most common reason for a Maryland driver's license to be suspended is failure to appear at a scheduled court date. When a person fails to appear in court, even for minor issues like traffic tickets, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is notified, and the person's license is suspended.
Not Paying Child Support
- Child support issues are another common reason for license suspension in Maryland. According to the law, if a parent fails to pay child support, the state's Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA) has the authority to suspend that person's driver's license. After falling behind on payments for at least 60 days, the CSEA can direct the MVA to suspend a person's license.
What To Do With A Suspended License
Pay close attention to any notices you receive from the Maryland MVA indicating that your license has been suspended. If you still have your driver's license, you can return it to the MVA by mailing it or handing it over in person. If the police did not take your license away during the traffic stop that resulted in your suspension or court, you could not keep it after receiving suspension notice.
Next, make a point of not driving. You may be arrested if caught driving while your license is suspended.
Finally, you can either wait for the MVA to restore your license when the suspension period expires, or you can contact an attorney who assists drivers in regaining their licenses. Choose the attorney for faster service. They will investigate why your license was suspended and advise you on how to clean up your driving record so you can get back on the road.
Your Options
Depending on your license suspension circumstances, you may have some options. Suppose your license was suspended due to a point accumulation from a drug or alcohol-related driving offense. In that case, you might be able to obtain a restricted license from the MVA by enrolling in the Ignition Interlock Program.
During the period of your suspension, you may be able to obtain a modified driver's license. A restricted license usually allows you to drive only for work, school, or an alcohol treatment program.
A person facing license suspension or revocation has the right to request a hearing. In some cases, where multiple factors contribute to a suspension, the individual may be able to consolidate the issues for a single hearing.
