Maryland license points
5 points in 12 months
What the rule says happens: the Administration shall suspend the individual’s driver’s license
. Applies to: the holder of a provisional driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years
If the holder of a provisional driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years accumulates 5 or more points in a 12–month period, the Administration shall suspend the individual’s driver’s license: (i) For a first offense, for 6 months; and (ii) For a second or subsequent offense, for 1 year.
Points for each violation
| Violation, in Maryland’s wording | Points |
|---|---|
Speeding in excess of a posted speed limit of 65 miles per hour by 20 miles per hour or more | 5 |
Failure to stop a vehicle for a steady red traffic signal | 2 |
Following another vehicle too closely | 2 |
Reckless driving | 6 |
Any moving violation contributing to an accident | 3 |
Driving while impaired by alcohol or while impaired by a drug | 8 |
Driving while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se | 12 |
These are the lines we have. Maryland’s full schedule is at the source links and may list more.
Sources for these lines, word for word
Speeding in excess of a posted speed limit of 65 miles per hour by 20 miles per hour or more 5 points
Failure to stop a vehicle for a steady red traffic signal in violation of § 21–202 of this article or a nonfunctioning traffic control signal in violation of § 21–209 of this article 2 points
Following another vehicle too closely 2 points
Reckless driving 6 points
Any moving violation contributing to an accident…………3 points
Driving while impaired by alcohol or while impaired by a drug, combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, or driving within 12 hours after arrest under § 21–902.1 of this article……………… …8 points
Driving while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se, or while impaired by an illegally used controlled dangerous substance……………………………………………………………………………… 12 points
When points lead to a suspension or other action
| Points | Within | The rule’s wording | What happens | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 years | see the rule | Send a warning letter | see the rule |
| 5 | no period given | see the rule | Require attendance at a driver improvement program | see the rule |
| 8 | no period given | see the rule | Suspend the license | see the rule |
| 12 | no period given | see the rule | Revoke the license | see the rule |
| 5 | 12 months | see the rule | the Administration shall suspend the individual’s driver’s license | the holder of a provisional driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years |
Whether a rule means that many points or more, or more than that many, is in the rule’s own words below.
The rules, word for word
The Administration shall take the following actions for points accumulated within any 2–year period: (1) Send a warning letter to each individual who accumulates 3 points;
Require attendance at a driver improvement program conducted under § 16–212 of this title by each individual who accumulates 5 points, except that a Class A, B, or C licensee who submits evidence acceptable to the Administration that he is a professional driver may not be called in until he accumulates 8 points
(i) Suspend the license of each individual who accumulates 8 points; and (ii) Revoke the license of each individual who accumulates 12 points.
If the holder of a provisional driver’s license who is under the age of 18 years accumulates 5 or more points in a 12–month period, the Administration shall suspend the individual’s driver’s license: (i) For a first offense, for 6 months; and (ii) For a second or subsequent offense, for 1 year.
How long points last
Official sources differ
These official passages do not print the same thing. Both are shown as printed. We do not choose between them or say how they fit together.
A point assessed under this subtitle shall be retained for a period of 2 years from the date of violation.
Points remain on your driving record for a certain period from the date of the conviction.
These points stay on your record and are tracked over a two-year period.
Which date counts
What it means for a particular case is for the agency to say.
Official sources differ
These official passages do not print the same thing. Both are shown as printed. We do not choose between them or say how they fit together.
A point assessed under this subtitle shall be retained for a period of 2 years from the date of violation.
Points remain on your driving record for a certain period from the date of the conviction.
Taking points off: courses and clean driving
Points are not removed upon request. They remain on your driving record according to Maryland law and established timeframes. Safe driving over time is the best way to prevent additional points from accumulating.
Tickets from other states
Maryland may receive information about certain out-of-state traffic convictions. If applicable under Maryland law, points may be assessed based on the equivalent Maryland offense.
The point system itself
points shall be assessed against the individual as of the date of violation and as follows:
More from Maryland’s rules
Shall assess points against the individual convicted only on the charge that has the highest point assessment
(i) An initial suspension may not be for less than 2 days nor more than 30 days; and (ii) Any subsequent suspension may not be for less than 15 days nor more than 90 days.
The number of points you accumulate within a two-year period determines what action the MVA takes: 3 to 4 points: You will receive a warning letter from the MVA. 5 to 7 points: You will be required to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP). 8 to 11 points: You will receive a Notice of Suspension. 12 or more points: You will receive a Notice of Revocation.
Points are added to your driving record only after a conviction is entered by the court and reported to the MVA.
Paying a payable traffic citation is considered an admission of guilt. Once processed by the court, the conviction is reported to the MVA and points are added according to the violation.
Where official sources differ
Official sources differ
These official passages do not print the same thing. Both are shown as printed. We do not choose between them or say how they fit together.
A point assessed under this subtitle shall be retained for a period of 2 years from the date of violation.
Points remain on your driving record for a certain period from the date of the conviction.
More schedule lines, not in the checker
These lines are part of Maryland’s schedule. They are not in the table above or in the ticket checker, because each value follows a row of dots and our number check does not accept a value printed that way yet.
Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more…………………………………………………………………………………..2 points
Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit by 30 miles per hour or more..……………..…..……………..….……………..…...……………..…..……..6 points
Failing to stop for a school vehicle with activated alternately flashing red lights……………………………………………………………………...3 points
Aggressive driving in violation of § 21–901.2 of this article…………………………………………………………………………………….5 points
Negligent driving ……………………………………….........2 points
Any moving violation not listed below and not contributing to an accident…………………………………………………………………………………...1 point
How nearby states compare
Side by side, not like for like. Read each state’s own rule before comparing two of them.
- Connecticut
10 points
his or her operator’s license is suspended for a period of thirty (30) days
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies 14-137a-1 to 14-137a-9, Assessment of Points Against an Operator's License for Motor Vehicle Law Violations, read November 12, 2026
- Delaware
14 points
Mandatory 4 month license suspension
2 Delaware Administrative Code 2208, Concerning Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program, read November 12, 2026
- District of Columbia
10 points
DC license suspended, lose driving privileges for 90 days
DC DMV, Driver Point System Chart, read November 12, 2026
Check a ticket in Maryland
Total so far
Reference only, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm with the agency. Full statement.
What this adds up, and what it can’t say
- This is arithmetic on quoted values, and nothing else. It does not predict any outcome.
- The date a state counts from (the violation date or the conviction date) is as quoted. The calculator does not decide it: it uses the date entered for each line.
- Courts and agencies decide actual outcomes, under the full text of the law and the full driving record, which this page does not have.
- Insurance companies use their own separate systems. This calculator works out nothing about insurance.
- A printed figure is compared with a sum only where the same quoted passage prints a period. The comparison says below, equal to or above. Whether a passage means that figure or more, or more than that figure, is in the passage’s own words.
- How periods are counted here is this calculator’s own convention, not a rule from any source. Months and years are calendar months and years counted back from the date chosen. Where the earlier month is shorter, its last day is used. The day reached is the period’s first day, and a line dated on that first day is outside the period. A line dated on the date chosen is inside. For example, a period of one month ending March 31, 2026 has the first day February 28, 2026, so a line dated that day is not counted and a line dated the day after is. An agency may count differently.
- Nothing typed here leaves this page or is stored.
The checker has only the violations in the table above, not the extra schedule lines listed further up.
Sources for Maryland
- Maryland Transportation Article 16-402, points assessed
- Maryland Transportation Article 16-404, actions for accumulated points
- Maryland Transportation Article 16-407, how long a point is retained
- Maryland MVA, Driver's License Points
- Maryland MVA, Receiving a Notice of Suspension or Revocation
- The licensing agency: Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration