DMV Point System in Maryland

When you commit a moving violation in Maryland, the occasion will be marked with more than a citation on your record.

Each violation in MD will leave points on your driver's license. Read below to find out more about how the points you acquire may affect your ability to drive in Maryland.

Maryland Point System Basics

When it comes to points on your MD license, you should follow the “golf rule," and try to aim for the smallest number possible.

Each time you're convicted of or plead guilty to a moving violation in Maryland, a certain number of points will be added to your record. The specific number depends on the violation's severity.

Acquiring the following point totals over the course of 2 years can lead to a number of warnings and penalties, including:

  • 3 points:
    • A warning letter sent by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
  • 5 to 7 points:
  • 8 to 11 points:
  • 12 points or more:
    • Your license will be revoked.

Keep reading to see how many points you may be on the hook for when committing some common violations.

NOTE: Commercial vehicle drivers may face additional penalties for points on their MD license.

Higher Points, Higher Rates

Worried about your current auto insurance rate? It will likely change if you get too many points on your license. Find out more about how your insurance rate works—and how you can keep it as low as possible.

MD Point System Schedule

The amount of points that will go on your Maryland driving record depend upon the severity of the violation you committed.

The most common citations come with fewer points, with more serious indiscretions carrying far more points.

Some common low-point carrying traffic tickets include:

  • Not stopping at a red signal/stop sign.
  • Failing to use a turn signal.
  • Changing lanes in an unsafe situation.
  • Not turning in a “turn only" lane.
  • Some speeding tickets (depending on how fast over the posted limit you were driving).

Higher-point carrying tickets are often far more serious, and include situations such as:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • Unlawful use of your MD driver's license.
  • Loaning or borrowing a driver's license.

The MD MVA includes a complete list of traffic violations—and their coordinating points—in its pamphlet on traffic citations.

Check Your Driving Record

Make sure you're not blindsided! Always know exactly how many points you've accumulated by obtaining your Maryland driving record today.

Reducing Points on your MD Driving Record

Maryland is strict—and has a long memory—when it comes to points on your driving record.

Points stay on your Maryland record for a varied amount of time after the date of your conviction, depending on the severity of the offense.

The state will expunge your record by:

  • 31 days after your most recent conviction date for motorists who have: 
    • Never had their license suspended for driver safety-related reasons. 
    • Never had a license revocation.
    • No moving violations on their records.
  • 3 years after your last moving violation conviction date for drivers who have:
    • Never had a license suspension for driver safety reasons.
    • Never had a license revocation.
    • Moving violations on their record.
  • 5 years after your last moving violation conviction date for drivers who have:
    • Only had their driver's license suspended 1 time for reasons of driver safety.
    • Never had a license revocation.
  • 10 years after your most recent moving violation conviction date or grant of probation before judgement in certain cases for drivers with:
    • Multiple license suspensions.
    • Previous license revocations.

Records INELIGIBLE for expungement include any:

  • Active or pending license suspension.
  • Fatal accident-related suspensions.
  • Violations related to alcohol.
  • Violation substantially similar, or identical, to those listed above.
  • Entries required for assessment of subsequent offender penalties. 
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