Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) Notice of Suspension
What do I do if I get a notice of suspension?
First, you should contact a Maryland traffic defense attorney to go over your case and determine what the best plan of action based off of your situation. That being said, it is important to determine which of the two notices of suspension you have received. The MVA may send you a Notice of Point Suspension or a Notice of Suspension.
A Notice of Point Suspension is when you have accumulated from 8 to 11 points on your driving record over a 2 year period for non-alcohol related traffic offenses. Once you have 8 to 11 points on your driving record, you have two options: Accept the Suspension or Request a Hearing.
If you want to request a hearing, you only have 15 days from the notice date. Once your hearing request and fee have been received, your suspension will be held “in abeyance” (put on hold) until the hearing is completed. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), which conducts the hearing, will notify you of its location, date, and time. You are permitted to be represented by a Maryland traffic defense attorney at this hearing.
A Notice of Suspension is when you have accumulated from 8 to 11 points on your driving record over a 2 year period and at least one of your convictions is for an alcohol or drug related driving offense. When you receive this notice, you must act promptly. You have three options: Accept the Suspension, Request a Hearing, or Apply to Participate in the Ignition Interlock Program.
If you want to request a hearing, you only have 15 days from the notice date. Once your hearing request and fee have been received, your suspension will be held “in abeyance” (put on hold) until the hearing is completed. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), which conducts the hearing, will notify you of its location, date, and time. You are permitted to be represented by a Maryland traffic defense attorney at this hearing.
If you are permitted to enroll in the Ignition Interlock Program, your license will not be suspended. However, your license will be restricted. Participants in this program are required to have an alcohol breath-analyzed ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle's ignition system. The driver must blow into the device and if his or her breath alcohol level exceeds the accepted level set on the device, the vehicle will not start. Participants in the ignition interlock program are responsible for all costs associated with program participation. This includes the installation and monthly maintenance costs of the ignition interlock device and the cost for obtaining a restricted driver's license.
The Ignition Interlock Program is not for everyone, but it allows you to keep your license (on a restricted basis). Some judges view successful participation in the Ignition Interlock Program favorably. There have been multiple studies done over the last few decades that suggest the Ignition Interlock Programs may reduce the rate of reoffending by 50 to 90 percent.