Maryland

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Maryland. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Copy for State Laws

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Maryland
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Maryland
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1992.

Maryland
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

5 years

Maryland
Provisions for Mature Drivers

40 and over: vision test required

Maryland
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Maryland
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Maryland
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Maryland
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Maryland
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

55

Maryland
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55

Maryland
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Maryland
Administrative license suspension on first offense

180 days for both.08 & .15, for first offense.

Maryland
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes, with interlock

Maryland
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

Maryland
Open container laws

Yes

Maryland
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Maryland
Child Restraint Required

Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer.

Maryland
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 yrs or under 8 yrs and over 57" tall

Maryland
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 5 a.m.

Maryland
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 5 months: no passengers under 18 (secondary enforcement)

Maryland
Full Privilege Minimum Age

Nighttime driving: 18 years Driving with passengers: 16 years, 11 months

Maryland
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 / 9

Maryland
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

9

Maryland
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

60 (10)

Maryland
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 6

Maryland
Type of Law

Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants

Maryland
Who is Covered?

16 and over

Maryland
In What Seat?

Under 16 yrs: All 16 yrs and over: Front (secondary enforcement in rear seat)

Maryland
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Maryland
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.

Maryland
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Maryland
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Maryland
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Maryland
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

School zones (only during certain hours); Montgomery County residential districts; areas in or near institutes of higher education in Prince George's County; construction zones on expressways or controlled access highways with a speed limit 45 mph or greater

Maryland
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Maryland
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide

Maryland
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Maryland
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use

Maryland
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

GHSA and Responsibility.org Fund Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention Programs in Four States

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Responsibility.org have awarded $120,000 in grants to four State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) for programs designed to combat alcohol, cannabis and multi-substance impaired driving, which accounts for approximately one-third of U.S. traffic deaths annually.

GHSA and Responsibility.org Fund Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention Programs in Four States

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Responsibility.org have awarded $120,000 in grants to four State Highway Safety Offices (SHSO) for programs designed to combat alcohol, cannabis and multi-substance impaired driving, which accounts for approximately one-third of U.S. traffic deaths annually.

GHSA, Lyft & Responsibility.org Team Up to Provide Grants to Help States Curb Impaired Driving this Holiday Season

GHSA, in partnership with Lyft and Responsibility.org, has awarded the Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Texas State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) a total of $80,000 in grant funds to support initiatives that promote the use of ride-hailing rather than driving this holiday season.

GHSA, Lyft & Responsibility.org Team Up to Provide Grants to Help States Curb Impaired Driving this Holiday Season

GHSA, in partnership with Lyft and Responsibility.org, has awarded the Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Texas State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) a total of $80,000 in grant funds to support initiatives that promote the use of ride-hailing rather than driving this holiday season.

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