Maryland DWI DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Maryland is 0.08% per se
(effective from Sep 3rd 2001)

(If you’ve been charged with Maryland DUI DWI, the law allows only 10 days for your Maryland DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings for a hearing to save your driving license)

Maryland DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Maryland it is crime for ANY driver to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.08% and above.

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.07%
In the State of Maryland it is crime for ANY driver to drive while impaired with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.07% and above. (This is known as DWI (driving while impaired)).

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
It is a crime for commercial vehicle operators to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.04% or above.

MINOR (under the age of 21) - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.02% or above.

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Maryland and implied consent laws are enforced.

NOTE: Although the BAC limit is 0.08% per se for the average driver, a driver can be charged with DWI for a BAC level of 0.07%.

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CALCULATOR Calculate your BAC using our calculator, know your legal drunk driving limits and stay safe!!

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Penalties for DUI - DWI - Drunk Driving in Maryland

Maryland is a state with a ten-year ‘washout period,’ also known as a 'look back period', this means that a prior conviction is not admissible after ten years. If it is ten years and one day since a driver was convicted of DUI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a DUI within ten years of the first DUI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

DUI = BAC LEVEL of 0.08% or Above

First DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DUI - drunk driving conviction in Maryland:

• up to $1,000 fine
• up to 1 year in jail
• minimum 45 days drivers license suspension
• 12 points on driving record
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DUI - drunk driving conviction in Maryland:

• up to $2,000 fine
• up to 2 years in jail
• minimum 1 year drivers license suspension
• 12 points on driving record
• 1 year ignition interlock restricted drivers license upon license re-instatement
• SR22 insurance requirement

DWI = BAC LEVEL OF 0.07%

First DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DWI - drunk driving conviction in Maryland:

• up to $500 fine
• up to 1 year in jail
• minimum 45 days drivers license suspension
• 8 points on driving record
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DWI - drunk driving conviction in Maryland:

• up to $500 fine
• up to 1 year in jail
• minimum 60 days drivers license suspension
• 8 points on driving record
• 1 year ignition interlock restricted drivers license upon license re-instatement
• SR22 insurance requirement

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Implied consent LAWS

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Maryland and implied consent laws are enforced.

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Maryland

In Maryland, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

First chemical test refusal

• 120 days drivers license suspension
• 1 year ignition interlock restricted drivers license upon license re-instatement
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second (And subsequent) chemical test refusal

• 1 year drivers license suspension
• 1 year ignition interlock restricted drivers license upon license re-instatement
• SR22 insurance requirement

Refusal to take a chemical test can be used as admissible evidence in court to help secure a conviction for DUI/DWI

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Maryland Auto insurance (High Risk DUI DWI SR22 Insurance)

Maryland auto insurance quotes ENTER ZIP CODE:

Maryland SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of 3 years after a DUI -DWI - drunk driving - alcohol related driving conviction and can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider.  Some insurance companies will not even do an SR22 insurance filing. Get a FREE DUI auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for Maryland auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in the state of Maryland

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of Maryland for private passenger vehicles is (20/40/15). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• $20,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $40,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $15,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

You must also have:

• Uninsured motorist coverage, for the same amounts found above. This will cover you in case an uninsured person hits you.
• $2,500 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP), for medical expenses related to an accident for your passengers.

What is (BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance?

(BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance coverage will pay for serious and permanent injury or death to other people when a crash is caused by the insured. An auto insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits specified in an insurance policy and will provide legal representation for the insured in the event someone tries to sue them.

What is (PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance?

(PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance coverage pays for damages an insured driver or members of an insured drivers family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

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FREE DUI / DWI Case evaluation & by local Maryland Lawyer

OR

Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer Maryland DUI cases tend to move quickly through the system, and there may be important deadlines that affect your right to assert certain defenses or call witnesses. It’s important that you understand the process your Maryland drunk driving case will follow and the important requirements and deadlines before you take any action—but you can’t afford to delay. Talk to a local Maryland Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in Maryland? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in Maryland? • Does Maryland have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with Maryland laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in Maryland? It’s easy to make mistakes under pressure, so make sure that you have the information you need to make good, educated decisions during this process. Contact a local Maryland criminal defense attorney specialising in Maryland drunk driving laws today.

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Disclaimer: While every effort is made to keep all information up to date, the Maryland drunk driving laws change frequently and the information provided should not be construed as legal advice. Drinkdriving.org shall not be held responsible for any actions a person may take as a result of information gathered from this web site. Consultation with a local Maryland DUI lawyer is recommended in all cases.

Useful Maryland DUI Links:

DUI - Drunk Driving Laws in Maryland

Maryland Drivers Manual

Maryland SR22 Insurance Requirement

Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Maryland Department of Transportation

Maryland State Courts

Maryland Department of Insurance

Maryland DUI Lawyers

Maryland DUI discussion forum

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