A repeat offender is anyone who has received more than one “driving under the influence” (DUI) violation within a 5-year period.
A “repeat offender” will be suspended for a one-year period. After the one-year suspension period has ended, the person then must maintain an ignition interlock device on his or her vehicle(s) for one year.
What should I do if I receive a Notice of Suspension because I am a repeat offender?
Immediately return your last issued driver’s license to any full service MVA branch office. In the event you are not in possession of your last issued driver’s license, you must submit a certified statement explaining what happened to it to any full service MVA branch office. The notice includes information on your right to request a hearing to prove there were not two alcohol violations within a five year period or how to accept a 45-day suspension followed by 320 days on an ignition Interlock Device. You are required to respond within 15 days of the date of the notice. Your suspension period will begin on the date shown on the notice and will last for 1 year unless you fail to return your license or certified statement. In that case, the suspension period will still begin on the notice date, however you will not receive credit towards the suspension until the license or certified statement is received.
When the suspension period is over, your driver’s license/privilege will be restricted for one more year so that you can only operate vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device. You will be sent a notice (Notice of Restriction and Ignition Interlock Requirements) toward the end of your suspension period explaining the ignition interlock system requirements.
What should I do when I receive the Notice of Restriction and Ignition Interlock Requirements?
As explained in the notice, you will be required to maintain an ignition interlock system on all owned or co-owned vehicles for one year. After you receive the notice, contact an Ignition Interlock Service Provider to set up an appointment to have the device installed. After it is installed, you must obtain a restricted driver’s license from one of the MVA’s full service branch offices. You MUST bring a copy of the ignition device installation papers in order to apply for the license. See Ignition Interlock Program for more information about this process.
What if I can’t afford the fees associated with the ignition interlock device?
If installing and maintaining the device will create a “financial hardship” on you, your family, or a co-owner of the motor vehicle, you can contact an approved Ignition Interlock Service Provider to request an evaluation of your situation.
Financial hardship must be documented by the provider; the documentation must show that your family has an income level of less than:
- $26,580 for a family of 1;
- $35,820 for a family of 2;
- $45,060 for a family of 3;
- $54,300 for a family of 4;
- $65,540 for a family of 5; or,
- $65,540 (plus $9,240 for each additional family member) for a family with 6 or more members.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for financial hardship, you must then request a hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) using the Notice of Restriction and Ignition Interlock Requirements. Mail your request to the MVA Driver Wellness and Safety Division (DW&S) within 15 days of the notification date, which is in the top right hand corner of the notice. If your request is received on time, the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) will notify you of the hearing location, date, and time. At the hearing you will be expected to show cause why you will suffer a financial hardship if you have to use the ignition interlock device. If you are late, the hearing may not be granted.
Fees:
- There are fees associated with the use of an Alcohol Breath-Analyzed Ignition Interlock Device.
- There is a fee for a corrected driver's license that includes a restriction.
- There is a fee for a corrected driver's license on which the restriction has been removed.
Contact Information:
MVA
Driver Wellness and Safety Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
MVA
Administrative Adjudication Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563
