Maryland’s Point System (in a nutshell)

Here’s a breakdown of the Maryland “point system.”  Keep in mind that the points are only imposed if you are actually convicted of the offense.  If you are found not guilty or receive a “PBJ” (probation before judgment),  no conviction is entered an no points are imposed.  Need help?  Call me at 301-563-9575 or 1-877-566-2408 BEFORE  you go to court or pay any tickets.  I’m an experienced Maryland traffic lawyer who has handled thousands of Maryland traffic cases throughout Maryland.

1 point

(1) Any “moving violation” not listed below and not contributing to an accident: 1 point

  • (1) 13-919(f) —- Operating dump truck vehicle in excess of speed limits
  • (2) 21-103 ——- Willfully disobeying order/direction/summons of officer
  • (3) 21-106 ——- Unsafe operation of emergency vehicle
  • (4) 21-201 ——- Failure to obey instructions of traffic control device
  • (5) 21-202(c), (e), (k) — Failure to yield right-of-way
  • (6) 21-204 ——- Failure to obey a flashing traffic signal
  • (7) 21-204.1 —– Failure to obey a lane direction control signal
  • (8) 21-207 ——- Failure to yield right-of-way to a funeral procession
  • (9) 21-301 ——- Driving across center line/failure to drive on right side of roadway
  • (10) 21-302 —— Failure to drive on extreme right side of roadway
  • (11) 21-303 —— Improper passing/failure to permit vehicle to pass
  • (12) 21-304 —— Passing on the right when not permitted
  • (13) 21-305 —— Driving to the left of center of road where prohibited
  • (14) 21-307 —— Driving to the left in a no passing zone
  • (15) 21-308 —— Failure to drive in a designated direction on one-way roadway
  • (16) 21-309 —— Failure to drive on roadway in designated lane
  • (17) 21-311 —— Driving improperly on divided highway
  • (18) 21-312 —— Unauthorized entering/leaving controlled access highway
  • (19) 21-313 —— Driving on controlled access highway when prohibited
  • (20) 21-401 —— Failure to yield right-of-way at intersection
  • (21) 21-401.1 —- Failure to yield right-of-way at T intersection
  • (22) 21-402 —— Failure to yield right-of-way when making a left or U-turn
  • (23) 21-403 —— Failure to stop/yield at intersection/turn on highway
  • (24) 21-404 —— Failure to stop/yield right-of-way when entering highway
  • (25) 21-404.1 —- Entering highway from crossover without yielding right-of-way
  • (26) 21-405(e)(1)- Failure to make required lane change for stopped emergency vehicle
  • (27) 21-405(e)(2)- Failure to slow to reasonable speed while passing stopped emergency vehicle
  • (28) 21-502(a)(c)- Failure to stop/pedestrian crossing in crosswalk
  • (29) 21-504 —— Failure to exercise due care for pedestrian
  • (30) 21-508 —— Driving through in a safety zone
  • (31) 21-1124.1 — Use of a text messaging device while operating a motor vehicle
  • (32) 21-601 —— Using improper position/method when making a turn
  • (33) 21-602 —— Making a U-turn on curve/crest of a grade where prohibited
  • (34) 21-603 —— Start/move vehicle unsafely without giving adequate signal
  • (35) 21-604 —— Unauthorized turning/slowing/stopping without required signal
  • (36) 21-605 —— Failure to use hand/arm signal/signal lamp when required
  • (37) 21-606 —— Improper hand/arm signal to stop/turn/decrease speed
  • (38) 21-701 —— Failure to stop and proceed safely to railroad grade crossing
  • (39) 21-702 —— Failure to obey stop sign at railroad grade crossing
  • (40) 21-703 —— Failure to stop at railroad crossing when carrying passenger/cargo
  • (41) 21-704 —— Driving/moving heavy equipment vehicles on/across railroad crossing
  • (42) 21-705 —— Entering/emerging from alley/driveway/building without stopping
  • (43) 21-707 —— Failure to stop at stop sign/yield at yield sign
  • (44) 21-708 —— Failure to stop for livestock at livestock crossing
  • (45) 21-801 —— Exceeding speed limit/failure to reduce speed when required
  • (46) 21-801(a) — Driving at a speed not reasonable and prudent
  • (47) 21-801.1 —- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour
  • (48) 21-802.1 —- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour in a highway work zone
  • (49) 21-803.1 —- Exceeding maximum speed limit by 1—9 miles per hour in a school zone
  • (50) 21-804 —— Driving below minimum posted speed limit
  • (51) 21-804(c) — Driving limited speed vehicle on prohibited highway
  • (52) 21-805 —— Driving without/unauthorized use of slow moving vehicle emblem
  • (53) 21-805.1(a) — Driving without/unauthorized use of limited speed vehicle emblem
  • (54) 21-806 —— Driving school vehicle with passengers in excess of 45 miles per hour
  • (55) 21-901.1(b) – Driving motor vehicle in a negligent manner
  • (56) 21-903 —— Driving motor vehicle on highway while consuming alcoholic beverage
  • (57) 21-1101 —– Stop/park/leave vehicle unattended without removing key/setting brake
  • (58) 21-1102 —– Unsafe backing of motor vehicle
  • (59) 21-1103 —– Driving a motor vehicle on a sidewalk
  • (60) 21-1104 —– Driving a vehicle with view obstructed/not in control
  • (61) 21-1105 —– Open/fail to close vehicle door when unsafe
  • (62) 21-1106 —– Permit/occupy mobile home while being towed on highway
  • (63) 21-1108 —– Coasting downgrade in neutral with clutch disengaged
  • (64) 21-1109 —– Following within 500 feet/parking within 300 feet of fire apparatus
  • (65) 21-1110 —– Driving over unprotected fire hose without consent of fire department
  • (66) 21-1117 —– Driving in improper manner to cause skidding/spinning wheels/noise
  • (67) 21-1118 —– Failure to comply with school vehicle regulations
  • (68) 21-1119 —– Driving/attempting to drive snow emergency route without snow tires/chains
  • (69) 21-1120 —– Driving a vehicle while wearing headset/earphones/earplugs on/in both ears
  • (70) 21-1123 —– Driving a vehicle on a highway with unauthorized passengers
  • (71) 21-1124 —– Use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle
  • (72) 21-1124.2(c)(1)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while operating a Class H vehicle with passengers
  • (73) 21-1124.2(c)(2)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while licensed with a learner’s permit or provisional driver’s license
  • (74) 21-1124.2(d)(2)—Second or subsequent offense of using handheld telephone while vehicle is in motion
  • (75) 21-1125 —– Operating a low speed vehicle on unauthorized roadway/highway
  • (76) 21-1128 ——- Driving while operating unauthorized television/video equipment visible to the driver
  • (77) 21-1209(a)(2)—Failure to provide minimum 3 foot distance when passing a bicycle/EPAMD/motor scooter
  • (78) 21-1209(d) —- Failure to yield right of way to a bicycle/EPAMD/motor scooter in designated bike lane or shoulder
  • (79) 21-1302 —– Improper riding/transporting person/articles on motorcycle
  • (80) 21-1303 —– Improper operation of motorcycle on laned highway
  • (81) 21-1303.1(a)- Operating on unauthorized roadway/improper horsepower motorcycle
  • (82) 21-1304 —– Riding motorcycle while attached to another vehicle
  • (83) 21-1404 —– Failure to obey sign/signal/order direction at vehicle crossing
  • (84) 21-1408 —– Making a prohibited turn on vehicular crossing/crossover
  • (85) 21-1409 —– Failure to maintain posted minimum speed on a vehicular crossing
  • (86) 21-1410 —– Driving vehicle exceeding height/weight/width on vehicular crossing
  • (87) 21-1412 —– Violating special provisions while driving through tunnel

2 points

(2) Following another vehicle too closely (3) Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit by 10 miles an hour or more (4) Driving with an improper class of license (5) Failing to stop for a school vehicle with activated alternately flashing red lights (6) Any violation of § 21-1111 of the TR article (putting glass/refuse on highway/bridge/waters) (7) Passing an emergency or police vehicle under the provisions of § 21-405(d) of the TR (8) A violation of § 21-511(a) of this article (9) Failure to stop a vehicle for a steady red traffic signal in violation of § 21-202 of this article or a nonfunctioning traffic control signal inviolation of § 21-209 of this article (10) Operating a limousine in violation of § 21-1127(a) of this article

3 points

(11) Any moving violation contributing to an accident (12) Any violation of § 16-303(h) or (i) of this title (13) Any violation, except violations committed on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95), of § 21-1411 of this article (certain HazMat violations)

5 points

(14) Speeding in excess of the posted speed limit by 30 miles an hour or more (15) Driving while not licensed (16) Failure to report an accident (17) Driving on a learner’s permit unaccompanied (18) Any violation of § 17-107 of this article (19) Participating in a race or speed contest on a highway (20) Any violation of § 16-304 or § 16-305 of this title (21) Any violation of § 22-404.5 of this article (22) Speeding in excess of a posted speed limit of 65 miles an hour by 20 miles an hour or more (23) Aggressive driving in violation of § 21-901.2 of this article

6 points

(24) Reckless driving

8 points

(25) Driving while impaired by alcohol or while impaired by a drug, combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, or driving within 12 hours after arrest under § 21-902.1 of this article (26) Turning off lights of a vehicle to avoid identification (27) Failing to stop after accident resulting in damage to attended vehicle or property (28) Failing to stop after accident resulting in damage to unattended vehicle or property (29) Any violation of § 16-815 or § 16-816 of this title (30) Failing to stop after an accident resulting in bodily injury or death (31) Any violation of § 16-303 of this title, excluding § 16-303(h) or (i)

12 points

(32) Any violation of § 16-301, § 16-302, § 16-804, or § 16-808(a)(1) through (9) or (b) of this title (33) Homicide, life threatening injury under § 3-211 of the Criminal Law Article, or assault committed by means of a vehicle (34) Driving while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se, or while impaired by an illegally used controlled dangerous substance (35) Any felony involving use of a vehicle (36) Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (37) The making of a false affidavit or statement under oath, or falsely certifying to the truth of any fact or information to the Administration under the Maryland Vehicle Law or under any law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles (38) Any violation involving an unlawful taking or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle under § 7-105 or § 7-203 of the Criminal Law Article, or §14-102 of this article

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