Penalties: The penalties for driving while your privilege is suspended or revoked can be worse than what caused the problem in the first place. Suspension and revocation laws changed on October 1, 2017. In Maryland, under the new law, certain types of driving with a suspended license or privilege are a fine only offense. Usually this is the case if the suspension is caused by a previous failure to appear in court. The driver, however, is required to attend court and may not simply pay the fine. This fine is a maximum of $500 and, if convicted, the MVA will impose three points on the driver’s record. This can severely impact insurance rates. Other driving suspended and revoked charges still carry the potential for up to one year in jail, a $1000 fine, and 12 points on your driving record. Subsequent offenses carry even more jail time.
MVA: Once convicted in court, the MVA is notified and will assess points on a motor vehicle record. With three or four points, the MVA sends a warning letter to the driver. At five points, the MVA requires the driver to enroll in the Driver Improvement Program. The MVA will send the driver a notice of suspension at eight points. Twelve or more points will initiate a notice of revocation. Then the driver has the right to request a MVA hearing before a suspension or revocation is imposed. The penalties are stiffer if you are driving on a provisional license.
Causes: In addition to knowing the potential penalties, it is important to understand the types of actions that may cause a suspension. Failure to pay child support, driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, failing to resolve a traffic ticket in due time, and committing more than one traffic offense during the provisional license period are all activities that can trigger a suspension.
Contact a lawyer: If you have been charged with driving with a suspended or revoked driving privilege in Maryland, it is important to contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz at 410-346-3577 to schedule your free consultation to discuss the matter.
