In Maryland, accumulating points on your driving record is a consequence of traffic rule violations. These points, overseen by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), can influence your driving privileges and will almost certainly affect your insurance premiums.
Many people check their points after getting a new ticket, wondering, “Am I about to be suspended?”
This guide will show you exactly how to check your point total, explain what the points mean, and (most importantly) show you the real way to get them removed from your record.
How to Check Your Maryland License Points (The 2 Methods)
The only way to see your points is to order a copy of your official Driving Record. Here are the two ways to do it.
Method 1: Online (Fastest and Easiest)
This is the best method for a quick, non-certified copy.
- Go to the official
myMVAPortal: Navigate to [https://mymva.maryland.gov/]. - Log In or Create an Account: You will need to log in to your existing account or create a new one. This requires your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last 4 of your SSN.
- Request Your Record: Once logged in, navigate to “Driver Services” and select “Request My Driving Record.”
- Select Your Record Type & Pay:
- Non-Certified 3-Year Record ($9.00): This is the one most people need. It shows all current, active points and violations from the last 3 years.
- Non-Certified Full Driving Record ($9.00): Shows your entire driving history.
- Download Your Record: You can download the record as a PDF immediately after paying. The “points” will be listed next to each violation.
Method 2: In-Person (For Certified Records)
You must do this if you need an official, certified record for court or a legal proceeding.
- Book an Appointment: You must schedule an appointment to visit an MVA branch.
- (Here you can naturally interlink your “How to Schedule MVA Appointment” article).
- Complete the Form: Fill out the Application for a Copy of Driving Record (Form #DR-057).
- Visit the MVA Office: Go to your appointment with your completed form and a valid ID (like your driver’s license or passport).
- Pay the Fee: The fee for a Certified Record is $12.00. You will receive the official, stamped record from the MVA staff.
Explanation To Your Points: The MVA Consequence List
Once you have your record, add up your “current” points. The MVA will take the following actions as you accumulate points (points are “current” for 2 years after the violation).
- 3 to 4 points: The MVA will mail you a Warning Letter.
- 5 to 7 points: The MVA will mail you a notice requiring you to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP).
- 8 to 11 points: The MVA will mail you a Notice of Suspension.
- 12 or more points: The MVA will mail you a Notice of Revocation.
How to Remove Points from Your Maryland License (The Real Way)
This is the most confusing part for most drivers. Here are the facts.
Myth vs. Fact:
- Myth: Taking the Driver Improvement Program (DIP) or a defensive driving class will remove points.
- Fact: False. In Maryland, the DIP is a penalty you must complete because you have 5-7 points. It does not remove any points from your record.
There are only two ways to get points off your record:
1. Good Behavior (Waiting): A point is “current” (active) for two years from the violation date. This means after two years of safe driving, that point no longer counts toward a suspension. However, the violation itself will still be visible on your full record for 3+ years, which insurance companies can see.
2. Expungement (The Only Way to Remove Them) This is the only way to have a violation and its points completely deleted from your record.
- How it works: You must have a clean record (no new violations, suspensions, or accidents) for a set period.
- The Timeline:
- 3 Years: You can request expungement for most common violations 3 years after the conviction date.
- 5 Years: You can request expungement for more serious violations 5 years after the conviction.
- 10 Years: You must wait 10 years to expunge a violation for driving under the influence (DUI).
- How to Apply: You must file a Request to Expunge Driving Record (Form #DR-058).
Maryland Point System for Speeding
The number of points you get depends on how fast you were going.
| Speeding Violation | MVA Points Assessed |
| 1-9 mph over the limit | 1 point |
| 10-19 mph over the limit | 2 points |
| 20-29 mph over the limit | 5 points |
| 30+ mph over the limit | 5 points |
Note: Any speeding violation in a work zone or school zone carries higher fines and is taken very seriously by the MVA and insurance companies.
FAQs
You have two choices: 1) Accept the suspension and serve it. 2) Request a hearing with the MVA (you must do this within 15 days of the notice). At the hearing, you can argue your case, and the administrative judge may reduce the suspension or (more likely) agree to let you just take the Driver Improvement Program instead of a full suspension.
No. This is the best outcome. If a judge grants you a PBJ, you are not convicted of the violation. You must pay the fine, and as long as you don’t get another ticket in your probation period (usually 3-12 months), the violation never appears on your driving record and you get zero points.
Insurance companies only care about convictions. Most Maryland insurance companies will look back at your record for the past 3 years when setting your rates. A violation from 4 years ago will likely no longer affect your premium.
Zero. Camera tickets (speed camera and red light camera) in Maryland are treated like parking tickets. They are “civil” citations, not “moving violations.” They do not add any pointsto your license and are not reported to your insurance.
This is a very common problem. It almost always means your address on file with the MVA is old. You are required by law to update it. You can learn how to change your MVA address online to ensure you receive all future notices.
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