Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Maryland
How to pay, contest or reduce a traffic ticket in Maryland, and what happens if you ignore it.
Short answer: For a payable citation (such as most speeding tickets), the driver must, within 30 days after receiving it, either pay the fine (which is a guilty plea), request a payment plan (if at least $150 is owed), request a waiver hearing to plead 'guilty with an explanation,' or request a trial… District Court of Maryland, Traffic Citations self-help
| Paying or fighting a ticket | For a payable citation (such as most speeding tickets), the driver must, within 30 days after receiving it, either pay the fine (which is a guilty plea), request a payment plan (if at least $150 is owed), request a waiver hearing to plead 'guilty with an explanation,' or request a trial to plead 'not guilty.' Payment can be made in person at any District Court or at an MVA payment kiosk; the waiver hearing and trial require appearing in court. If the driver does not respond within 30 days, the MVA is notified and may suspend the license. 'Must appear' citations, such as DUI or driving on a suspended license, require a court appearance. The court page says the Maryland Online Resolutions (MDOR) system is not accepting new cases. |
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| Paying or looking up a ticket online | For a payable citation, you must act within 30 days after receiving it. Pay online through the District Court's payment site (non-refundable convenience fee), by phone at (800) 492-2656, by mail to District Court Traffic Processing Center, P.O. Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401, in person at any District Court, or at the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk in local MVA offices. Look up your citation and its status on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Online payment: https://paymentsolutions.lexisnexis.com/md/city/annapolis/districtcourt |
| Traffic school | The MVA does not offer a course that dismisses a ticket or removes points; it says points are not removed upon request. A Driver Improvement Program is required when a driver reaches 5 points within two years. |
| License suspension | Suspension or revocation reasons include point accumulation (8 points suspension, 12 points revocation), not responding to a payable citation within 30 days, failing or refusing an alcohol test, DUI/DWI convictions, and failure to pay child support. Provisional drivers under 18 face 6-month suspensions at 5 points in 12 months. |
Where to get help in Maryland
More Maryland traffic tickets & dui
- Reinstating a Driver's License in Maryland
- DUI Laws in Maryland
- How Driver Points Work in Maryland
- All Maryland traffic tickets & dui rules
FAQ
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Maryland?
For a payable citation (such as most speeding tickets), the driver must, within 30 days after receiving it, either pay the fine (which is a guilty plea), request a payment plan (if at least $150 is owed), request a waiver hearing to plead 'guilty with an explanation,' or request a trial to plead 'not guilty.' Payment can be made in person at any District Court or at an MVA payment kiosk; the waiver hearing and trial require appearing in court. If the driver does not respond within 30 days, the MVA is notified and may suspend the license. 'Must appear' citations, such as DUI or driving on a suspended license, require a court appearance.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Maryland?
For a payable citation, you must act within 30 days after receiving it. Pay online through the District Court's payment site (non-refundable convenience fee), by phone at (800) 492-2656, by mail to District Court Traffic Processing Center, P.O. Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401, in person at any District Court, or at the Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation Payment Kiosk in local MVA offices. Look up your citation and its status on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Maryland?
The MVA does not offer a course that dismisses a ticket or removes points; it says points are not removed upon request. A Driver Improvement Program is required when a driver reaches 5 points within two years.
What gets your license suspended in Maryland?
Suspension or revocation reasons include point accumulation (8 points suspension, 12 points revocation), not responding to a payable citation within 30 days, failing or refusing an alcohol test, DUI/DWI convictions, and failure to pay child support. Provisional drivers under 18 face 6-month suspensions at 5 points in 12 months.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.