Maryland DUI License Guide

After a DUI or DWI arrest, the MVA track starts immediately. Reinstatement is about timing, paperwork, and choosing the right path for your facts. This page walks you through the steps in plain English, with links to deeper resources across our site so you can act quickly and confidently.

Step 1: Read your DR-15A and file a request fast

Your paperwork triggers short deadlines and sets the tone for what comes next.

• Start with your DR-15A. That notice controls the timing of license actions and your right to request a hearing.
• You typically have 10 days to request an MVA hearing to keep driving while you wait. See how we handle this on MVA Hearing Lawyer.
• If you do nothing, a suspension can begin around day 45. We plan to avoid surprises by filing on time and preparing your case.

Step 2: Choose your path — hearing vs. interlock

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You have two main paths to stay on the road while your case moves through court.

• Hearing path: Preserves options and can avoid interlock on certain facts. We prepare paperwork, evidence, and testimony. We challenge errors in forms, timelines, and procedures.
• Interlock path: Allows continuous driving with a device while your case is pending. For how installation, rolling retests, and monitoring work, read: Ignition Interlock Program.
• Refusal cases have different rules and tradeoffs. Understand them here: Implied Consent in Maryland.

We will weigh your commute, history, BAC or refusal, and job needs. For quick context on penalties and license impacts, see the Maryland DUI Chart.

Step 3: Build your evidentiary package

Good preparation moves outcomes. We organize the details that matter at MVA hearings and in court:

• Work and school schedules, commute details, and childcare needs
• Any alcohol assessment or education steps taken where appropriate
• Clean interlock logs if enrolled in the program
• Accurate dates, document timelines, and paper trails

Evidence can include dispatch records, body-worn camera, and lab paperwork depending on your case. Where blood testing is involved, we focus on chain of custody and compliance. Where breath testing is involved, we assess observation periods, operator certification, and device maintenance. For device background, read: Intox EC IR II. For roadside testing context, see: PBT vs. Breathalyzer.

Step 4: Track outcomes and your next windows

After your hearing or interlock enrollment, track every requirement. Missing a monitoring visit or a required retest can create new problems.

• If you receive a notice about an interlock violation or removal, act fast to request a hearing. Our interlock materials explain how removals are challenged and what evidence helps. Start here: Ignition Interlock Program.
• For license issues beyond DUI, such as points or old suspensions, review: Maryland License Suspension Lawyer.

How court interacts with your license

Court and MVA are separate. What happens in court does not automatically change what the MVA will do and vice versa.

• PBJ can be a helpful outcome on the court side, but MVA actions follow their own rules and timelines.
• Responsible steps on the MVA track (timely hearing request, clean interlock logs) demonstrate stability and can support better overall outcomes.

To understand how charges are framed and proven, skim: DUI, DUI vs DWI, and DUI per se. For under-21 scenarios, read our separate guide: Under-21 DUI.

Practical tips while you wait

• Keep a calendar with all deadlines, hearing dates, and maintenance visits if enrolled in interlock.
• Save every receipt and device printout while on interlock.
• Do not drive any vehicle that lacks a functioning interlock device if your license is restricted to interlock driving.
• If your case involves an accident or injuries, gather insurance, medical, and vehicle repair documentation. These records can affect strategy.

Common questions about reinstatement

I missed the 10-day window. What now?

Act quickly. You can still request a hearing within 30 days or opt for the interlock anytime before your suspension takes effect. See: MVA Hearing Lawyer.

Will interlock be required?

It depends on BAC, refusal, history, and what makes sense for your job and schedule. Learn the rules: Ignition Interlock Program. Some people benefit from early enrollment; others do better with a hearing first.

How does court affect reinstatement?

Court and MVA are separate. Outcomes like PBJ can help on the court record, but MVA actions follow their own rules, which is why early planning around DR-15A and MVA Hearing Lawyer matters.

Do I need to bring anything to the MVA hearing?

Bring your paperwork, a calendar of your obligations, proof of work or school needs, and any interlock records if you are enrolled. We will organize and present only what helps.

What we do on license reinstatement cases

• File the hearing request and prevent avoidable suspensions when possible
• Map whether a hearing or interlock is the better first move for you
• Preserve and present evidence that helps, while challenging errors in forms and procedures
• Keep you on track with deadlines and requirements so nothing gets missed

If you have a hearing date or a looming deadline, call now. We will give you a straightforward plan to protect your license and position your case for the best possible outcome.