How to Get Your Driver's License Back After a Maryland DUI Conviction

 

After failing a road sobriety test by blowing a .08% or more, the police will often ask you to hand over your driver’s license on the spot, or it will occur at the jail during processing. This is considered Administrative Per Se driver’s license suspension, and this time will count toward the suspension time that the court may order you. Getting your driver’s license back once that time is passed isn’t automatic, so it can be helpful to understand what is required so you can get back to driving.

 

Steps to Complete before Getting Your Driver’s License Reinstated

 

If your driver’s license is revoked, you must attend an Alcohol Education Program, which costs $200, before applying for a new driver’s license. This 12-hour program is designed to help you avoid future Maryland DUI incidents. If they believe you have a more serious problem with alcohol abuse or dependency, then you may be required to complete a 26-week treatment program as well where you will undergo more intensive therapy.

 

You can find out if you are given permission for reinstatement by contacting the MVA’s Driver Wellness and Safety Division. They will ask for your full name, address, birth date, and driver’s license number. The driver’s license reinstatement fee is $75.

 

If you are granted the right to reinstate your driver’s license, then you must re-apply for a new driver’s license. Bring the letter that grants permission to a full service MVA branch office. You may want to call before you go to ensure that the location handles driver’s license reinstatement. You may have to retake the written, vision, and driving tests again, and you will be subject to all the normal MVA eligibility requirements.

 

If your request for reinstatement is denied, then you can appeal the decision to the MVA office of administrative hearing. You must contact the Driver Wellness and Safety Division for more information about that process, or you can talk to qualified Maryland DUI lawyer.

 

You may have an alcohol restriction on your driver’s license, which may require you to use an ignition interlock device. In order to get this restriction removed, you need to contact the MVA Administrative Adjudication Division.

 

Ignition Interlock Device

 

Sometimes you will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car in order to get your driver’s license reinstated. This device will require that you pass a breathalyzer test before starting your vehicle and also occasionally while you are driving. If it detects alcohol on your breath, it will sound an alarm until you pull over and turn off the car. It will also record the incident, and that information can be used against you when it comes time to reinstate your driver’s license.

 

Restricted Driver’s License

 

In rare situations, the state will grant the right to have a restricted driver’s license which allows you to drive only to and from work or class. You must show proof of hardship if you are unable to drive and that you do not have alternate means of transportation available to you. Additionally, you may be required to get an ignition interlock device on your car.

 

For More Information

 

The process of getting your driver’s license back can be confusing. You may want to contact the Motor Vehicle Administation directly to get answers specific to your case.

MVA
Driver Wellness and Safety Division
6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-800-950-1MVA(1682)
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-800-492-4575
Out-of-State: 1-301-729-4550
 

It can also be helpful to get legal guidance from a qualified Maryland DUI attorney. He or she will understand how the process works and help you get your driving privileges back as fast as possible. It can especially beneficial if you are dealing with multiple Maryland DUI convictions, as the process can be more complicated.