Maryland

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Maryland. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    0.15 180 days for both .08 & .15, for first offense Yes, with interlock

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Autonomous Vehicles

    Authorizes the testing on public roadways of highly automated vehicles by the manufacturer or developer. Numerous public and private pilot programs are underway or planned across the State.

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-15 yrs or under 8 yrs and over 57" tall

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    5 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    40 and over: vision test required

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 1992.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants

    Who Is Covered?

    16 and over

    In What Seat?

    Under 16 yrs: All
    16 yrs and over: Front (secondary enforcement in rear seat)

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    School zones (only during certain hours); Montgomery County residential districts; areas in or near institutes of higher education in Prince George's County; construction zones on expressways or controlled access highways with a speed limit 45 mph or greater

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    Statewide

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime driving: 18 years

    Driving with passengers: 16 years, 11 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 / 9 9 60 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 / 6 Midnight - 5 a.m. First 5 months: no passengers under 18 (secondary enforcement)