For most of us, driving offers a necessary convenience to our lives. We rely on our cars to get to our jobs, our friends and family, our shopping, and — of course — our homes. Sure, sometimes we can carpool with a friend or take public transport, but let’s be honest, here: nothing beats your own private vehicle that you can drive on your own time, to your own locations. So, when something threatens your ability to use this convenience (which is really a necessity), it needs to be taken seriously regardless of how temporary it may be.

This COULD be talking about your roommate stealing your car to go clubbing all the time, but it’s actually talking about the expensive, time-consuming hell of a license suspension. It seems like an abstract concept and it’s true that many people never have to worry about it, but assuming it only happens in the rarest, most severe of cases is just setting yourself up for a very rude awakening. In the fiscal year of 2020 alone, Maryland suspended over 14,800 licenses for just one of the many charges that may lead to such consequences.

It can happen to anyone and, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that means it can even happen to you. If it does, you need to know what to expect, how to fight it, and what NOT to do about it.

How do license suspensions happen?

Listen, when I say there are multiple ways to lose your license temporarily or otherwise, I’m not talking about just two or three. We have a laundry list to go through, folks. Take notes if you need to (or copy/paste, I’m not your teacher) but this is important. If you think all you have to do is drive sober, think again. Below is a non-comprehensive list of ways you can get your license suspended in Maryland:

  • Failing to pay child support, even if you’re just falling behind
  • Yes, as most know, getting a DUI (in many cases at least — and you also risk losing your license entirely if your BAC is high enough)
  • In a similar vein, refusing to take a breathalyzer test (but you should still refuse if you have any alcohol at all in your system — we can work on the suspension later)
  • Causing an accident that results in death (not your own death, doofus)
  • Failing to pay traffic fines or appear to a traffic summons
  • Accumulating too many points on your license
  • Ignoring any driving restrictions you may have
  • Lacking or failing to maintain car insurance
  • Driving with a fake ID, especially if you’re under 21 (yes, they can tell)

Again, this is NOT a complete list, and getting your license suspended isn’t even the most severe of driving consequences. As I mentioned, you can indeed just get your license entirely revoked. Zip. Gone. No driving for you, ever, unless you’re able to appeal successfully. If you catch a suspension, the chances of losing your license are automatically much higher (ESPECIALLY if your suspension is related to a DUI). Trust me, you’re better off avoiding the whole thing.

What happens if you drive with a suspended license in Annapolis?

We all have a rebellious streak, especially when something seems unfair, incredibly inconvenient, and impossible to catch. Here’s the thing, though: only two out of three of those can be true. It is never impossible to catch, no matter how clever or slick you think you are. I understand the temptation, I really do. Those of us who need reliable transportation for our job or to otherwise live our lives would absolutely be pretty desperate to keep it and, c’mon, what are the chances you’ll be pulled over, right?

Listen to me. The chances. Are never. Zero. The MVA is watching, and they take driving with a suspended license very, very seriously. They can not only just plain revoke your license then and there, but they can also get you criminally charged and facing a year in jail and a grand in fines. Not only that, but most insurances have a neat little caveat in their plans that mean if you’re in an accident when your license is suspended, you’re not covered for it — even if you didn’t cause it. This means you have to pay for everything related to the accident, every damage, every loss entirely out of pocket, and that’s on top of facing criminal charges for, guess what, not having adequate insurance coverage and anything else the officer deems appropriate at the time.

None of this should seem fun to you, and I promise the reality does not challenge that notion. All jokes aside, I really do understand just how vital driving privileges are for working Americans, but the best course of action is never to break the law further. Obey the suspension. Hire your attorney. We can talk about everything from seeking a restricted license that allows you to travel to and from your job and other necessary locations to appealing the suspension entirely, but you do nothing but lose options if you’re caught driving illegally.

How do you legally challenge a suspended license in Maryland?

Court is only one headache you’ll have if you’re charged with or convicted of a traffic violation. The MVA — Motor Vehicle Administration — may not be the same as criminal (or even civil) prosecutors, but they are the ones who dictate what happens to your license. The good news is that a really experienced and knowledgeable traffic defense attorney can represent you not only in traffic court, but also in MVA hearings. The hearings won’t have any effect on any criminal charges — we’ll work on that separately — but they are where you argue for the reinstatement of your license, the expungement or reduction of points, the parameters of your driving restrictions, and more.

Alone, you are unlikely to convince the administrative judge to reinstate a suspended license (or a revoked one) simply because they are already skewed against you and looking for any way to incriminate you further and deny your request. With an MVA and traffic defense attorney, though, they can do the talking on your behalf and present a well-polished, thoroughly researched case for review. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but you can see why your chances are higher with someone like me.

We can comb through the details of your case together and determine which defense most applies (and there are more than they want you to know) but we have the best chances if we get started as quickly as possible. If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation that’s cost you your license, whether or not you’ve already been convicted, you need the Annapolis and Ellicott City team at Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law. My consultations are free, and my answers are always honest and open. You can ring me up or use my contact form any time, but the quicker the better when facing serious consequences like this.

Just remember — Keep Calm, and Call Drew!