Maryland Suspended License Reinstatement

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Maryland license can be suspended or revoked for accumulated points, DUI or DWI conviction, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, lapsed insurance, or medical reasons. Reinstatement is a paperwork process — usually paying fees, completing a required program, and often filing an SR-22 — but the rules vary widely by reason.

Why Maryland suspends a license

Points-based suspension: 8-11 points triggers a Notice of Suspension; 12 or more triggers revocation.
DUI under §21-902(a): 6-month suspension first offense, longer for repeat. See Maryland DUI and DWI laws.
DWI under §21-902(b): 60-day suspension first offense, longer for repeat — separate from the §21-902(a) DUI offense.
Refusal of chemical test: 270-day suspension first offense, 2-year second offense.
Failure to appear (FTA) or pay fines: indefinite suspension until cleared with the District Court.
Insurance lapse: 30-day minimum, with daily $7-$10 penalty fees.
Unpaid child support: indefinite suspension under federal-state enforcement until cleared with the child support agency.
Medical reasons: indefinite, until cleared by the MVA Medical Advisory Board with a physician's statement.

The Driver Improvement Program (DIP)

Maryland requires the Driver Improvement Program course for drivers who reach 5 points within a 2-year window. The course is a 6-hour state-approved program offered by certified providers in person and online. Completion is reported to the MVA by the provider; failure to complete within the time set in the MVA's notice (typically 90 days) results in an automatic suspension. DIP also serves as a sentencing option for many traffic-court cases.

Hardship and restricted licenses

Maryland offers a restricted license for some suspension types — DUI/DWI, point suspensions — that lets the driver travel to and from work, school, medical appointments, and the IID provider. The restricted license requires:

An ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle the driver operates.
Compliance with the IID provider's monthly download and inspection schedule.
Continuous SR-22 financial responsibility insurance — see Maryland insurance.
For DUI/DWI restricted licenses: completion of the DUI/DWI education and treatment program ordered by the District Court.

The restricted license is granted by an MVA hearing officer at a Driver License Hearing. Drivers must request the hearing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice to keep the path open.

Reinstatement after a points-based suspension

For 8+ point suspensions, the driver waits out the suspension period (typically 60-180 days depending on the point count), pays the $30 reinstatement fee, completes the DIP course if not already done, and shows proof of current insurance. No knowledge or skills test is required for points-based suspensions if the driver reinstates within 1 year.

Reinstatement after DUI or DWI

After a DUI or DWI suspension, reinstatement requires:

Completion of the full suspension period (or restricted-license period with IID).
Completion of the court-ordered DUI/DWI education and treatment program.
SR-22 filing (3 years for DUI, less for DWI).
IID continued for the period set by the District Court — typically 1 year for first offense.
Payment of the $50 reinstatement fee plus any outstanding court costs.

SR-22 in Maryland

Maryland accepts the SR-22 (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) for drivers required to demonstrate ongoing insurance after a DUI/DWI, refusal, or insurance-lapse suspension. The SR-22 is filed by the insurance company directly with the MVA and must remain in effect for 3 years for DUI/DWI; cancellation by the insurer triggers an automatic re-suspension. See Maryland car insurance for the carriers that file SR-22 and the typical premium impact.

If you've been driving while suspended

Driving on a suspended Maryland license is a serious misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine for first offense; up to 1 year and $1,000 plus the original suspension reset to its full length. A conviction will also extend any IID requirement. If you've been pulled over while suspended, contact a Maryland traffic attorney before your first court appearance.

For the underlying point-system rules, see Maryland MVA point system. For the impaired-driving framework, see Maryland DUI and DWI laws.