Ignition Interlock Device Laws in Maryland

Low Cost Interlock is a leading provider of ignition interlock devices in Maryland. We offer affordable, reliable interlocks that are easy to use, ensuring that you can fulfill your state requirements and get back on the road. We hope to guide you through the entire interlock program experience and answer any questions you have along the way.

Maryland Interlock Device Guidelines

In Maryland, an ignition interlock device may be required depending on the case and jurisdiction. Maryland also has an implied consent law, meaning refusing a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test automatically results in a 270-day suspension if convicted.

First Conviction
You are required to keep the ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle from 6 months to a full year.

Second Conviction
You are required to keep the ignition interlock device installed for at least 12 months.

Third and Subsequent Convictions
You are required to keep the ignition interlock device installed for a minimum of 24 months.

Click here to learn more about the Maryland Ignition Interlock Program.

Maryland DWI Penalties

For first offenses:

• $500 in fines
• Up to 2-months in jail
• Up to 6-months suspension

If you commit a second DWI offense:

• $500 in fines or more
• Up to 1-year in jail
• Up to 9-months license suspension

A third and additional offenses can result in:

• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Up to 5 years in jail
• 1-year license suspension

A person could face further penalties and restrictions if they had a child under the age of 14 in the vehicle during the time of arrest.

Learn more about Maryland DUI laws and penalties here.

General Information

Effective laws are essential to preventing the tragedies that result from impaired driving. Drivers arrested for impaired driving in Maryland face both immediate Administrative sanctions and additional criminal penalties and license sanctions if the driver is convicted of an impaired driving offense.

New!  Important changes to Maryland’s drunk driving laws take effect on October 1, 2016, that include increased penalties and expansion of the Ignition Interlock Program. Click here for more information about the Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 (Noah’s Law).​​

ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE: ALCOHOL TEST FAILURES AND REFUSALS

If you are stopped by a police officer and are suspected to be under the influence, the law enforcement officer may request that you to submit to a field sobriety test or portable breath test. If you are arrested for impaired driving, the officer will advise you of your rights and provide you with an Advice of Rights form (DR-15) before requesting that you submit to a chemical blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol present in a 100 milliliter (mL) volume of blood. For example 80 mg is 0.08 grams, 0.08 grams of alcohol in 100 mLs is written as 0.08%. In other words, 80 mg% is equal to 0.08% which is equal to 80 mg/dL (deciliter; 100 mLs). This value can also be described as 0.08 BAC.

If you test above the legal limit for alcohol (0.08 BAC), or refuse an officer’s request to submit to a chemical test for alcohol or drug use, you will be issued an Order of Suspension (form #DR-015A) along with your traffic citation(s).

The police officer will confiscate your Maryland driver’s license and may issue you a 45-day temporary paper license.  

For more information visit, see Alcohol Test Failure or Refusal.

If you were operating a commercial vehicle or are a commercial driver license holder at the time of your stop, you are also subject to the disqualification of your commercial driving status.

For more information about penalties for commercial license drivers and operators of commercial vehicles, also see the Commercial Driver’s License Manual.

​VIOLATIONS OF LICENSE RESTRICTION An alcohol restriction on your license prohibits you from operating a vehicle with any level of alcohol in your blood. If you are under the age of 21, your license automatically carries “Under 21 Alcohol Restriction.” If you have a prior impaired driving offense, your license may carry an alcohol restriction on it that was placed there by the Administration or the Courts. An alcohol restriction on your license also mandates that you submit to a chemical test when an officer suspects that you may be driving under the influence. If you refuse the test, or test positive for any level of alcohol, then you will be subject to additional sanctions.

For more information, visit Violations of Restrictions

IMPAIRED DRIVING CONVICTIONS If you are convicted of an impaired driving offense, you face both criminal penalties and license sanctions. If you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI):

• For a first offense, you face up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your driving record and your license may be revoked for up to six (6) months.
• For a second offense, you face a $2,000 fine and up to two years imprisonment (with a mandatory minimum of five days). Twelve (12) points will be assessed on your license and your license may be revoked for up to one year.
• For two convictions within five years, a mandatory period of suspension will be followed by a minimum required period of participation in the Ignition Interlock Program.
• You may be required to participate in an alcohol abuse assessment and program.

If you are convicted of Driving while Impaired by Alcohol (DWI):

• For a first offense, you face up to a $500 fine and up to two months imprisonment. Eight (8) points will be assessed on your driving record, and you face a 6-month license suspension.  If this conviction is the result of a driver under 21, you will face a 1-year suspension.
• For a second DWI offense, you face up to a $500 fine and up to one year imprisonment. Eight (8) points will be assessed on your driving record, and you face a license suspension of 9 to 12 months.  If this conviction is the result of a driver under 21, you will face a 2-year suspension.

The penalties are substantially higher if you are transporting a minor at the time of the offense or for a third offense.​

POINT ACCUMULATION You will be required to go to Court for the citation(s) that were issued for an impaired driving offense. If you are found guilty of the violation, a record of the conviction will be posted to your driving record and points will be assessed.

Once the points have been assessed, if you have accumulated between 8 and 11 points within a two year period, your driver’s license will be suspended. For an accumulation of 12 or more points, your license will be revoked. You may request a hearing or, in some cases, be eligible to opt into the Ignition Interlock Program.

For more information visit Suspensions for Point Accumulation

REPEAT OFFENDER

If you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and you have had a prior driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substance violation within five years of the date of the violation, your license will be suspended for one year followed by participation in the Ignition Interlock Program for one year. You may, if eligible opt into the Program for one year in lieu of your suspension.

For more information, visit Repeat Offender Violations