What are Maryland Traffic Tickets?

In Maryland, traffic tickets are issued to persons who violate the state’s traffic laws. Officials of the state’s law enforcement agencies are responsible for issuing traffic tickets to violators. The information on Maryland traffic tickets typically includes the details of the traffic law(s) violated, the consequences of such violations, and the options available for resolving the ticket. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is responsible for managing and disseminating driving-related records.

Public records (including those pertaining to traffic violations) can also be accessed through third-party aggregate sites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they are typically accessible remotely and aggregate records from multiple jurisdictions in one database. To use third-party search engines, inquirers are typically required to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are operated independent of government sources. Thus, record availability, accuracy and validity may not be guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

Traffic citations are official documents that traffic offenders receive upon the violation of traffic regulations. Violations that may lead to traffic citations include overspeeding, improper turning, driving under the influence, and running a red light. Citations require that the offenders appear in a traffic court. Offenders are usually expected to respond to traffic citations within 30 days. Failure to respond may lead to further penalties.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Maryland?

Motorists issued payable traffic tickets in Maryland may challenge the ticket or make the payment required within 30 days from the issuance. Interested persons may pay off traffic tickets in-person at a county district court. To find the applicable court, use the District Court Locations Directory to find district courts in their county area.

Traffic violators may also make traffic tickets payments via mail to the address:

District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, MD 21401

Interested persons can also make payments via phone call. The information required to pay a ticket is the traffic ticket number and a credit card. Interested persons may call the phone line ((800) 492–2656) and follow the automated prompts to make payments.

The payment of traffic tickets is considered the equivalent of pleading guilty to the violation. The consequences of this option include the allocation of points on their driver’s record.

Interested persons can also pay using the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk that is available at their local MVA office. Payments made via this option requires the use of a credit card to transact. The vendors may charge extra for convenience fees.

Can You Pay Maryland Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, interested individuals can pay traffic tickets in Maryland online. Traffic violators with payable traffic tickets can resolve them electronically via payment portals. The district courts of Maryland provides a general platform that facilitates payment of tickets. Interested individuals may also make use of third-party payment sites that offer such services. To make payment online, persons may provide the required information on the platform to find and settle their outstanding traffic ticket(s).

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Maryland?

Persons issued a payable traffic ticket can resolve it online by using the payment solutions site approved by the Maryland district court. The payment system only accepts Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation payments. Payment via this method requires the use of a credit card. Users of this platform incur a non-refundable convenience fee of $5.95. To initiate the payment process, users need to locate their ticket number, which appears on either the electronic or written ticket issued. Information required on the payment portal include:

• Traffic ticket number
• Issuance date of the traffic ticket
• Name on the traffic ticket.
• Location details
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license details e.g., state of issuance and license number.

Upon the input of the required details, users can proceed to make payment with their credit card.

What is the Maryland Traffic Ticketing System?

The Maryland traffic ticketing system guides the procedures used in determining the consequences of traffic violations. Typically, traffic offenses usually result in fines, but the ticketing system also allocates points to a motorist’s driving record. The allocation of points depends on the severity of the traffic violation. Under the Maryland traffic ticketing system, the accumulation of certain traffic points within two years, and their consequences are as follows:

• The accumulation of 3–4 points attracts a warning letter from the MVA.
• 5–7 accumulated points may require such motorists to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP).
• Suspension of a traffic violator driver’s license occurs with the accumulation of 8–11 points
• Twelve or more points lead to the revocation of a traffic offender’s license.

The assigning of points depends on the severity of the traffic offense. Violations like tailgating, traffic control signal violation, and speeding less than 30 m/hr above speed limit may attract 2 points. However, DUI, fleeing a law officer, texting while driving that results in death, and driving with a revoked license incurs 12 points each. Interested persons can view the complete list of the district court’s traffic violation document.

The first revocation of a motorist’s driver’s license bars them from reapplying for another six months. A minimum of one year is required before reapplying for a second-time revocation. For the third time of revocation, it may take 18 months before affected persons may reapply for a new license. The fourth revocation and subsequent revocations require a minimum of two years before persons may reapply.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Maryland?

Persons issued traffic tickets are usually notified via the U.S. mail or email. However, interested individuals may check for outstanding traffic tickets by requesting copies of their driving records from the MVA.

Interested individuals may request records at any MVA branch office by scheduling an appointment. The MVA office requires requestors to provide a valid form of an identification document and the required fees.

Requests may also be made via U.S. mail by completing the MVA Request for Record form, accompanied with required fees in the form of a check or money order, and sending it to an MVA office location. Mail content should include the requestor’s driver’s license number and valid phone number. Persons may also request driving records online.

The MVA charges $12 for the certified copy of records and $9 for non-certified copies.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Maryland?

Persons who misplaced/lost their traffic tickets can recover it by completing the Missing Traffic Citation Form and mailing it to a district traffic court within 30 days after the receipt of a traffic ticket. The form can be sent to:

District Court Traffic Processing Center
P.O. Box 6676
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Interested persons can also access traffic ticket information such as ticket number, fine amount, and the date of a traffic violation by using the court’s Online Case Search tool.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Maryland?

The period of which traffic offenses remain on a motorist’s record depends on the traffic violation severity. In Maryland, some traffic violators are eligible for automatic expungement of records. Offenders with a driver’s license that has not been suspended for a driver safety offense, revoked, and has no moving violations may have their records automatically expunged after 31 days. Offenders with one or moving violations can have their traffic records expunged after 3 years.

After 5 years, records of persons with one count of a suspended license are expunged. Traffic violators with a previously revoked license and multiple suspensions are eligible for automatic expungement after 10 years.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Maryland?

Persons issued a court summons may be required to attend a court hearing on the specified date. However, traffic tickets do not require a court appearance and can be settled by paying the stipulated fines. Summons are usually issued when an offense is severe or if a person fails to pay a ticket off within 30 days. The consequences of violations that lead to a summons issuance are more stringent than those of a traffic ticket.