Driver's License Reinstatement In Maryland

It's natural to wonder, "How do I reinstate my suspended or revoked license in Maryland?" after losing your license. Fortunately, the solution is less complicated than you think!

The Need For Driver's Reinstatement

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) suspends and revokes licenses for various offenses ranging from failure to pay child support to drive while intoxicated. If you have prior violations or have more than 12 points on your driving record, the MVA will revoke your license. If it is your first offense or you only have eight to eleven points, your license will be suspended. A suspension means that the MVA temporarily revoked your license. A revocation means that your license has been terminated and cannot be restored or renewed.

License Suspension

Maryland has many of the same suspension reasons as other states. A few exceptions include failing to pay a traffic ticket within 30 days or child support within 60 days. Other grounds for license suspension include:
  • Recorded eight or more points
  • Involved in a fatal accident
  • DUI with drugs or alcohol
  • Nonpayment of child support
  • Failure to pay for gasoline
  • Failure to appear in court
  • Failure to pay fines, violations, or traffic tickets
  • There is an outstanding arrest warrant.
  • Physical or mental disabilities that inhibit driving
  • Unsafe driving
  • Refusing to take an alcohol breath test
  • Infringing on a restricted driver's li
  • cense
You must return your driver's license to the MVA by the deadline and complete your no-driving period. You may also be required to complete a defensive driving course. To avoid criminal charges, do not drive without a license during this time. You can, however, request a hearing to contest the license suspension. Fill out the hearing request section on your suspension notice to do so. Then, within 15 days of the notice's date, send the request along with the required fee. The Office of Administrative Hearings will provide you with information about your hearing.

License Revocation

Suppose your driver's license was revoked because you had 12 or more points on your record or violated an alcohol restriction. In that case, you might be eligible to reinstate it after a certain period. The minimum amount of time you must wait before requesting reinstatement of your license after it has been revoked is determined by the number of times your Maryland driver's license has been revoked:
  • One revocation 6 month waiting period
  • Two revocations 12 month waiting period
  • Three revocations 18 month waiting period
  • Four or more revocations 24-month waiting period
The waiting period begins on the day you return your revoked driver's license or on the date of revocation, whichever is later. You must present your most recently issued driver's license.

The Reinstatement Process

To reinstate your Maryland driver's license, you must either apply for a duplicate license or a new one entirely. The cost of restoring your license ranges from $20 to $72, and your suspension can last up to 24 months, depending on your driving history. It would be best if you had served your suspension and met any requirements outlined by your suspension notice or judge in court before applying for reinstatement. Then, either by phone or in person, you can request your reinstatement:
  • In-person. To request reinstatement, go to the Drivers Wellness and Safety division at 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062.
  • By phone. Call 410-768-7000 for MVA customer service.
The MVA will examine your driving record for insurance violations, child support violations, and any other issues that may preclude you from being reinstated. We will send you a letter explaining why you are not eligible for reinstatement if we discover a problem with your driving record. If there are no obvious issues, we will mail or hand you an application form. After completing the driver's license reinstatement application, please return it to the MVA's Driver Wellness and Safety Division with the appropriate application fee. Following receipt of the application and fee, a final decision on the reinstatement of your driver's license will be made, and you will be sent a letter granting or denying reinstatement. If you are granted driver's license reinstatement, take the letter to any full-service MVA branch office and apply for a new license. You may have to retake the law, vision, and driving skills tests. You will also be subject to all MVA eligibility requirements. If you are denied reinstatement of your driver's license, you have the right to appeal the MVA's decision to the office of administrative hearings. Contact the Driver Wellness and Safety Division of the MVA.

Reinstatement Fees

The cost of restoring your suspended or revoked Maryland driver's license varies depending on the offense. You may be required to pay the following fees:
  • New driver's license: $9 per year
  • Reinstatement for Medical Advisory Board suspensions costs $45 or $75, depending on the severity of your medical condition.
Please refer to your suspension notice or contact the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration for specific fees relating to your suspension/revocation. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration also accepts the following forms of payment:
  • In-person:
    • Cash.
    • Make check payable to "Motor Vehicle Administration." "(Your driver's license and phone number must be included.)
    • Credit/debit cards from VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.
  • By mail
    • Send a check made out to "Motor Vehicle Administration."
    • Include your driver's license number as well as your phone number.

Maryland Hardship License

A hardship license may be issued in Maryland to those in need. You must meet the eligibility requirements, which include having no previous license suspensions under the same section within the last five years. To apply for a hardship license, you must first file an appeal of suspension with the Administrative Adjudication Division's director (AAD). Before the AAD modifies your suspended license, you must meet the following requirements:
  • You did not refuse to take the test.
  • Your license has not been suspended under the same section in the last five years.
  • You have not received a DUI conviction in the last five years.
You must also meet one of the three requirements listed below:
  • You are employed and drive a motor vehicle.
  • The license will be used to attend an alcoholic prevention or treatment program.
  • You have no other transportation to or from work, and your ability to earn a living would be severely hampered if you did not have the license.

Car Insurance While Suspended or Revoked

Because drivers with a suspended license are prohibited from driving in this state, you may only require coverage to avoid a lapse or to protect another driver. Because Maryland does not require SR-22 coverage for high-risk drivers, you may have an easier time finding insurance. To obtain a new auto insurance policy, follow these steps:
  • Examine standard versus high-risk insurers. Some standard insurers cover drivers with a history of points.
  • Determine your coverage requirements. Determine how much coverage you require while not driving, such as storage coverage or the minimum required by your state.
  • Request quotes. You could compare the providers who will cover you to the amount of coverage and cost of their policies.
  • Begin implementing your new policy. You can finalize your policy once all of the information has been gathered.