The Maryland Point System Explained
If you are convicted of a vehicle-related law violation in Maryland, the Maryland District Court will notify the MVA of the conviction. The MVA then applies the appropriate points to your driver record. Points are assessed as of the date of the violation. Assessed points are retained for a period of two years from the date of violation. The MVA can take action for points accumulated within any two-year period. Accordingly, any accumulation of points within a two-year period of time, whether the points are current or not, may be the basis for a suspension or revocation under the point system.
The number of points assessed is determined by the MVA, not by the District Court.
The MVA imposes the following sanctions for the accumulation of designated point totals:
- 3 to 4 points - The MVA will send you a warning letter.
- 5 to 7 points - The MVA may require you to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP).
- 8 to 11 points - The MVA will send you a notice of suspension.
- 12 or more points - The MVA will send you a notice of revocation.
02 Assessment of Points
A. One point shall be assessed against an individual convicted of the following sections of the Transportation Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, except that there shall be a three point assessment for any moving violation which contributes to an accident.
B. Section Moving Violation
(1) 13-919(f) ---- Operating dump truck vehicle in excess of speed limits
(2) 21-103 ------- Willfully disobeying order/direction/summons of officer
(3) 21-106 ------- Unsafe operation of emergency vehicle
(4) 21-201 ------- Failure to obey instructions of traffic control device
(5) 21-202(c), (e), (k) -- Failure to yield right-of-way
(6) 21-204 ------- Failure to obey a flashing traffic signal
(7) 21-204.1 ----- Failure to obey a lane direction control signal
(8) 21-207 ------- Failure to yield right-of-way to a funeral procession
(9) 21-301 ------- Driving across center line/failure to drive on right side of roadway
(10) 21-302 ------ Failure to drive on extreme right side of roadway
(11) 21-303 ------ Improper passing/failure to permit vehicle to pass
(12) 21-304 ------ Passing on the right when not permitted
(13) 21-305 ------ Driving to the left of center of road where prohibited
(14) 21-307 ------ Driving to the left in a no passing zone
(15) 21-308 ------ Failure to drive in a designated direction on one-way roadway
(16) 21-309 ------ Failure to drive on roadway in designated lane
(17) 21-311 ------ Driving improperly on divided highway
(18) 21-312 ------ Unauthorized entering/leaving controlled access highway
(19) 21-313 ------ Driving on controlled access highway when prohibited
(20) 21-401 ------ Failure to yield right-of-way at intersection
(21) 21-401.1 ---- Failure to yield right-of-way at T intersection
(22) 21-402 ------ Failure to yield right-of-way when making a left or U-turn
(23) 21-403 ------ Failure to stop/yield at intersection/turn on highway
(24) 21-404 ------ Failure to stop/yield right-of-way when entering highway
(25) 21-404.1 ---- Entering highway from crossover without yielding right-of-way
(26) 21-405(e)(1)- Failure to make required lane change for stopped emergency vehicle
(27) 21-405(e)(2)- Failure to slow to reasonable speed while passing stopped emergency vehicle
(28) 21-502(a)(c)- Failure to stop/pedestrian crossing in crosswalk
(29) 21-504 ------ Failure to exercise due care for pedestrian
(30) 21-508 ------ Driving through in a safety zone
(31) 21-1124.1 --- Use of a text messaging device while operating a motor vehicle
(32) 21-601 ------ Using improper position/method when making a turn
(33) 21-602 ------ Making a U-turn on curve/crest of a grade where prohibited
(34) 21-603 ------ Start/move vehicle unsafely without giving adequate signal
(35) 21-604 ------ Unauthorized turning/slowing/stopping without required signal
(36) 21-605 ------ Failure to use hand/arm signal/signal lamp when required
(37) 21-606 ------ Improper hand/arm signal to stop/turn/decrease speed
(38) 21-701 ------ Failure to stop and proceed safely to railroad grade crossing
(39) 21-702 ------ Failure to obey stop sign at railroad grade crossing
(40) 21-703 ------ Failure to stop at railroad crossing when carrying passenger/cargo
(41) 21-704 ------ Driving/moving heavy equipment vehicles on/across railroad crossing
(42) 21-705 ------ Entering/emerging from alley/driveway/building without stopping
(43) 21-707 ------ Failure to stop at stop sign/yield at yield sign
(44) 21-708 ------ Failure to stop for livestock at livestock crossing
(45) 21-801 ------ Exceeding speed limit/failure to reduce speed when required
(46) 21-801(a) --- Driving at a speed not reasonable and prudent
(47) 21-801.1 ---- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour
(48) 21-802.1 ---- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour in a highway work zone
(49) 21-803.1 ---- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour in a school zone
(50) 21-804 ------ Driving below minimum posted speed limit
(51) 21-804(c) --- Driving limited speed vehicle on prohibited highway
(52) 21-805 ------ Driving without/unauthorized use of slow moving vehicle emblem
(53) 21-805.1(a) — Driving without/unauthorized use of limited speed vehicle emblem
(54) 21-806 ------ Driving school vehicle with passengers in excess of 45 miles per hour
(55) 21-901.1(b) - Driving motor vehicle in a negligent manner
(56) 21-903 ------ Driving motor vehicle on highway while consuming alcoholic beverage
(57) 21-1101 ----- Stop/park/leave vehicle unattended without removing key/setting brake
(58) 21-1102 ----- Unsafe backing of motor vehicle
(59) 21-1103 ----- Driving a motor vehicle on a sidewalk
(60) 21-1104 ----- Driving a vehicle with view obstructed/not in control
(61) 21-1105 ----- Open/fail to close vehicle door when unsafe
(62) 21-1106 ----- Permit/occupy mobile home while being towed on highway
(63) 21-1108 ----- Coasting downgrade in neutral with clutch disengaged
(64) 21-1109 ----- Following within 500 feet/parking within 300 feet of fire apparatus
(65) 21-1110 ----- Driving over unprotected fire hose without consent of fire department
(66) 21-1117 ----- Driving in improper manner to cause skidding/spinning wheels/noise
(67) 21-1118 ----- Failure to comply with school vehicle regulations
(68) 21-1119 ----- Driving/attempting to drive snow emergency route without snow tires/chains
(69) 21-1120 ----- Driving a vehicle while wearing headset/earphones/earplugs on/in both ears
(70) 21-1123 ----- Driving a vehicle on a highway with unauthorized passengers
(71) 21-1124 ----- Use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle
(72) 21-1124.2(c)(1)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while operating a Class H vehicle with passengers
(73) 21-1124.2(c)(2)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while licensed with a learner’s permit or provisional driver’s license
(74) 21-1124.2(d)(2)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while vehicle is in motion
(75) 21-1125 ----- Operating a low speed vehicle on unauthorized roadway/highway
(76) 21-1128 —---- Driving while operating unauthorized television/video equipment visible to the driver
(77) 21-1209(a)(2)—Failure to provide minimum 3 foot distance when passing a bicycle/EPAMD/motor scooter
(78) 21-1209(d) —- Failure to yield right of way to a bicycle/EPAMD/motor scooter in designated bike lane or shoulder
(79) 21-1302 ----- Improper riding/transporting person/articles on motorcycle
(80) 21-1303 ----- Improper operation of motorcycle on laned highway
(81) 21-1303.1(a)- Operating on unauthorized roadway/improper horsepower motorcycle
(82) 21-1304 ----- Riding motorcycle while attached to another vehicle
(83) 21-1404 ----- Failure to obey sign/signal/order direction at vehicle crossing
(84) 21-1408 ----- Making a prohibited turn on vehicular crossing/crossover
(85) 21-1409 ----- Failure to maintain posted minimum speed on a vehicular crossing
(86) 21-1410 ----- Driving vehicle exceeding height/weight/width on vehicular crossing
(87) 21-1412 ----- Violating special provisions while driving through tunnel
C. Other violations shall be assessed the point value as prescribed in the Transportation Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. COMAR 11.17.13.02 Assessment of Points. (Code of Maryland Regulations (2019 Edition))