Maryland MVA Point System

The Maryland MVA assigns points to a driver's record for moving-violation convictions. Points trigger escalating MVA actions: a warning letter at 3 points, a mandatory Driver Improvement Program at 5, a Notice of Suspension at 8, and a license revocation at 12. The point window is 2 years — older convictions stop counting toward the active total but remain on the complete record.

How Maryland assigns points

Most states assign points on a flat scale. Maryland uses a sliding 1-12 point scale, where each violation receives a point value tied to severity. Lower-tier infractions add 1 point; the most serious add 12. The point value is set by Maryland Transportation Article §16-402.

Common point values

• Speeding 1-9 mph over: 1 point.
• Speeding 10-19 mph over: 2 points.
• Speeding 20-29 mph over: 5 points.
• Speeding 30-39 mph over: 5 points and a court appearance.
• Speeding 40+ mph over: 5 points and a court appearance.
• Reckless driving: 6 points.
• Negligent driving: 1-3 points (varies by circumstances).
• Driving without a license: 5 points.
• Failure to stop after an accident (no injury): 8 points.
• Failure to stop after an accident (with injury): 12 points.
• DUI under §21-902(a): 12 points (automatic revocation).
• DWI under §21-902(b): 8 points.
• Driving on suspended license: 12 points.
• Hand-held cell-phone use: 1 point first offense, 3 points subsequent.
• Texting while driving: 3 points first offense.
• Failure to obey traffic signal: 1-2 points.
• Failure to yield to pedestrian: 3 points.
• Improper passing of school bus: 3 points.

The MVA escalation ladder

3 points in a 2-year window

The MVA mails a warning letter reminding the driver of accumulated points and the consequences of further violations. No formal action; the warning is informational.

5 points in a 2-year window

The MVA orders the driver to complete the Driver Improvement Program (DIP) — a 6-hour state-approved class offered by certified providers in person or online. Failure to complete within the time set in the MVA's notice (typically 90 days) triggers an automatic suspension. DIP completion clears the requirement but does not remove the underlying points.

8 points in a 2-year window

The MVA issues a Notice of Suspension. The driver is entitled to an MVA hearing within 15 days to contest the suspension or request a restricted license for work, school, medical, or DUI/DWI program purposes. Without a successful hearing, the suspension takes effect 30 days after the notice.

12 points in a 2-year window

The MVA issues a Notice of Revocation. Revocation is more serious than suspension — the license is canceled, not just paused. The driver must wait the revocation period (typically 6 months for first revocation), reapply as a new applicant, retake the knowledge test, and possibly the skills test, and complete any required education programs. See Maryland suspended license for the full reinstatement process.

How points come off your record

Maryland points fall off the active-points total 2 years from the date of conviction. The conviction itself remains on your driving record for the longer abstract retention period — most for at least 5 years on the complete record, DUI/DWI permanently. There is no formal point-deletion class in Maryland; the DIP course is a remediation requirement, not a point-removal incentive.

Out-of-state convictions

Maryland is a member of the Driver License Compact (DLC), which means an out-of-state moving violation conviction is reported to the Maryland MVA and added to the driver's record. The Maryland MVA assigns the equivalent Maryland point value for the out-of-state offense; for most violations there's a clean conversion (e.g., out-of-state speeding 15 over = Maryland 2 points).

How points affect insurance

Maryland insurers pull driving abstracts at policy initiation and most renewals. New points on your record typically mean a premium increase at the next renewal — sometimes 20-50% for a single 5-point ticket, more for DUI/DWI. After a serious conviction, the carrier may non-renew the policy entirely, requiring the driver to find coverage on the high-risk market or through Maryland's joint underwriting facility. See Maryland car insurance.

Contesting a ticket to avoid points

Most Maryland traffic tickets allow the driver to contest the citation in District Court. A successful contest (dismissed, reduced, or won at trial) results in no points being assessed. A guilty plea or "probation before judgment" disposition often reduces or eliminates points. Talk to a Maryland traffic attorney before deciding whether to contest.