Maryland DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Maryland
Maryland DUI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple DUI's.
If you've been charged with DUI in Maryland, the law allows only 10 days for a Maryland DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Maryland?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Maryland will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
MD DUI Penalties
Maryland is a state with a 10 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
1st DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a first DUI offense in Maryland:
- Fine: up to $1,000 fine
- Jail: up to 1 year in jail
- License Suspension: minimum 45 days drivers license suspension
- 12 points on driving record
- MD SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Maryland:
- Fine: up to $2,000 fine
- Jail: up to 2 years in jail
- License Suspension: minimum 1 year drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted license may be available after first 45 days of suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock required for a period of 3 months to 1 year after suspension ends
- 12 points on driving record
- MD SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a third DUI offense in Maryland:
- Fine: up to $3,000 fine
- Jail: up to 3 years in jail
- License Suspension: minimum 1 year drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted license may be available after first 45 days of suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock required for a period of 3 months to 1 year after suspension ends
- 12 points on driving record
- MD SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
In , if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Maryland
First Chemical Test Refusal
- License Suspension: 120 days drivers license suspension
- MD SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second (& subsequent) Chemical Test Refusal
- License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension
- MD SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Maryland
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Maryland for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Maryland it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
In the State of Maryland it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.02% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
In the State of Maryland it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.04% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Maryland and implied consent laws are enforced.
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