How to get your license back after a DUI in Maryland
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Meet eligibility requirements and complete the mandatory waiting period
The MVA states reinstatement is not automatic. The waiting period depends on the number of revocations: 6 months for 1 revocation, 1 year for 2, 18 months for 3, 2 years for 4 or more, and 5 years if revoked under § 16-205(b). The period begins on the later of the date the most recent license is turned in or the date of revocation.
What the source says
“Mandatory waiting periods Revocations Waiting period 1 revocation 6 months 2 revocations 1 year 3 revocations 18 months 4 or more revocations 2 years Revoked under 16-205(b) 5 years”
- 2
Complete any required treatment or testing
For alcohol- or drug-related revocations the MVA states a treatment program may need to be completed before it will consider the application: 1 incident requires a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP); 2 incidents require a 90-day or 6-month program with monthly testing depending on when the incidents occurred; 3 or more incidents require longer programs, some with twice-monthly testing and ethyl glucuronide screening.
What the source says
“1 incident You must complete a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP). This applies regardless of when the incident happened.”
- 3
Request a reinstatement application through myMVA
The MVA reviews the driving record for insurance violations, child support violations, and other issues; if a problem is found the applicant receives a letter explaining ineligibility, otherwise the MVA mails the application.
What the source says
“Request a reinstatement application through your myMVA account. You can use your account to securely upload documents and track your case status 24/7.”
- 4
Submit the application and required fees
The application is uploaded through myMVA with payment of the required fees; the MVA then makes a final decision and notifies the applicant by mail. As part of approval the applicant may be required to accept driving restrictions such as an alcohol restriction or Ignition Interlock requirement. The MVA fee page lists 'Non-CDL or CDL reinstatement due to drug or alcohol related offenses' at $150 and a $30 restoration fee.
What the source says
“Complete the application and upload it through your myMVA account along with payment of required fees. Once received, the MVA will make a final decision and notify you by mail.”
- 5
If approved, make an appointment at a full-service MVA branch
The MVA states to bring the approval letter to the appointment; knowledge, vision, or driving skills tests may need to be retaken and all current eligibility requirements met. If denied, the applicant may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which charges a separate filing fee.
What the source says
“Make an appointment to visit any full-service MVA branch. Bring your approval letter to your appointment. You may need to retake knowledge, vision, or driving skills tests and must meet all current eligibility requirements.”
Official reinstatement page: Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $150 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | No — details |
| Ignition interlock | Maryland interlock rule |
| Required program | 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP) |
| Driving during the suspension | Interlock Restricted License ('J' restriction code) |
Required program: 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
The MVA describes the 12-Hour AEP as an instructional program intended to provide rehabilitation for individuals convicted of DUI or DWI. Attendance may be required by referral from a District Court judge, an Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings, or when applying for a new license after a revocation for an alcohol-related incident. The MVA sends a referral letter with instructions for a preliminary alcohol assessment; the assessment determines whether the 12-hour AEP or the 26-session Alcohol Treatment Program is required. The program must be started within 90 days of the due date on the referral letter, and failure to attend results in suspension of the driving privilege.
“The 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP) is an instructional program intended to provide rehabilitation for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).”
Driving during the suspension: Interlock Restricted License ('J' restriction code)
The MVA's Ignition Interlock Program page states a driver may be eligible to join the program if the license is not already suspended, revoked, canceled, or refused, and within 30 days of the Order of Suspension the driver installs an interlock device, turns in the license (or signs a statement), and enrolls with the MVA. Enrollment (online through myMVA or in person) requires Form AJ-013 proof of installation; the driver asks for an Interlock Restricted License, which is mailed and shows a 'J' restriction code. A driver may choose the program instead of serving a suspension, if eligible; commercial drivers must downgrade to a non-commercial license. Md. Code, Transp. § 16-205 provides that the Administration may issue a restricted license for the period of a suspension to a program participant.
“Turn in your license (or sign a statement) Ask for an Interlock Restricted License Step 4: Receive your restricted license Your new license is mailed to you It will show a “J” restriction code”
When the interlock can be removed
Compliance-based. The MVA states program time counts only after the device is installed and the restricted license is obtained within 30 days of installation, and that the participant must have no violations in the last 3 months to finish. Each month with a violation can add 30 days; some violations in the last 3 months can add 90 days; serious violations can lead to removal from the program, after which the driver may request a hearing or re-enroll for the full original time after a 30-day suspension. To finish and remove the device: complete the required time including extensions, go to the service provider for a final data download, the MVA reviews the record, a completion letter is issued if there are no violations, the letter is taken to an MVA office to remove the restriction, and then the device may be removed from the vehicle. The MVA authorizes removal via the completion letter; the fee page lists a $30 corrected-license fee and no removal fee cap is stated.
Compliance period: no violations in the last 3 months of the program
“Time only counts after the device is installed and you get your restricted license within 30 days of installation. You must have no violations in the last 3 months to finish.”
Questions about reinstatement in Maryland
- How is a revoked Maryland license reinstated after an alcohol-related revocation?
- The MDOT MVA states reinstatement is not automatic: the driver must meet eligibility requirements, complete the mandatory waiting period (6 months for a first revocation, up to 2 years for four or more, 5 years under § 16-205(b)), complete any required treatment or testing, request an application through myMVA, submit it with the required fees, and, if approved, visit a full-service branch where tests may be retaken. The fee page lists $150 for alcohol- or drug-related reinstatement.
- What alcohol program does the MVA require?
- For one alcohol- or drug-related incident the MVA requires a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP), described by the MVA as an instructional program for individuals convicted of DUI or DWI. A preliminary alcohol assessment determines whether the 12-hour AEP or the 26-session Alcohol Treatment Program applies. Two or more incidents require 90-day or 6-month programs with monthly or twice-monthly testing, depending on timing.
- When can the ignition interlock be removed in Maryland?
- According to the MVA's Ignition Interlock Program page, the participant must complete the required time (180 days for BAC 0.08 to under 0.15, 1 year for BAC 0.15 or higher or a refusal, plus any extensions) with no violations in the last 3 months. After a final data download and MVA record review, the MVA issues a completion letter, the restriction is removed at an MVA office, and then the device may be removed from the vehicle.
Sources
- MDOT MVA: Reinstate a License (eligibility, waiting periods, treatment requirements, how to apply)
- MDOT MVA: Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
- MDOT MVA: Ignition Interlock Program (eligibility, enrollment, restricted license, program length, extensions, removal)
- MDOT MVA: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (penalties, suspensions, repeat-offender interlock)
- MDOT MVA: License & ID fees ($150 alcohol/drug reinstatement, $30 restoration, $30 corrected license)
- Md. Code, Transp. § 16-205 (restricted license for the period of a suspension to an Ignition Interlock System Program participant)