Maryland DUI Laws & Penalties
Last reviewed:
MD has TWO distinct offenses: DUI (§21-902(a), the higher/0.08+ 'under the influence') and DWI (§21-902(b), the lesser 'while impaired', ~0.07). Different penalties and points — pages must separate them. Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is the signature MD outcome.
Overview
- Legal BAC limit: 0.08% (commercial 0.04%, under-21 0.02%, enhanced at 0.15%).
- Lookback period: no fixed statutory washout (priors count; PBJ limited to once per 10 years). Maryland has no simple lookback for criminal enhancement — prior convictions count, and subsequent-offense penalties escalate; PBJ is unavailable if you received one for DUI in the prior 10 years.
- Primary statute: Md. Transp. Code § 21-902
DWI (impaired) applies around 0.07; DUI at 0.08+. No separate high-BAC crime, but 0.15+ affects interlock/administrative outcomes.
Penalties by offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail | Fine | License suspension | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | misdemeanor (DUI = higher; DWI = lesser) | none – DUI: 1 year · DWI: 2 months | $0–$1,200 (DUI up to $1,000–1,200 · DWI up to $500) | DUI: 6 months (12 points → revocation exposure) · DWI: (8 points → suspension exposure) – varies via MVA; hardship: Ignition Interlock Program in lieu of suspension | Required |
| Second offense | misdemeanor | DUI: 5 days mandatory (if within 5 years) – DUI: 2 years · DWI: 1 year; mandatory min DUI: 5 days if prior within 5 years | $0–$2,400 (DUI up to $2,000–2,400 · DWI up to $500) | MVA-determined (longer; interlock) – 1 year+; hardship: Interlock Program | Required |
| Third offense | misdemeanor (felony exposure at higher counts under §21-902(h) for repeat within 15 years) | varies – 3 years (third) / up to 5 years (fourth, felony); mandatory min escalating | $0–$5,000 (third up to $3,000; fourth (felony) up to $5,000) | MVA-determined, lengthy; interlock – revocation; hardship: Interlock Program | Required |
First offense
- Classification: misdemeanor (DUI = higher; DWI = lesser)
- Jail: none – DUI: 1 year · DWI: 2 months
- Fine: $0–$1,200 (DUI up to $1,000–1,200 · DWI up to $500)
- License suspension: DUI: 6 months (12 points → revocation exposure) · DWI: (8 points → suspension exposure) – varies via MVA; hardship: Ignition Interlock Program in lieu of suspension
- Alternative disposition: Probation Before Judgment (PBJ): no conviction entered, no points — the standard MD first-offense goal. But post-2024 an IID is still required, and PBJ is limited to once per 10 years.
- Interlock: Since Oct 1 2024, IID is required for essentially all drunk-driving dispositions — INCLUDING PBJ (Maryland's 'interlock for all').
- DUI = 12 points (revocation-eligible); DWI = 8 points (suspension-eligible).
Second offense
- Classification: misdemeanor
- Jail: DUI: 5 days mandatory (if within 5 years) – DUI: 2 years · DWI: 1 year; mandatory min DUI: 5 days if prior within 5 years
- Fine: $0–$2,400 (DUI up to $2,000–2,400 · DWI up to $500)
- License suspension: MVA-determined (longer; interlock) – 1 year+; hardship: Interlock Program
Third offense
- Classification: misdemeanor (felony exposure at higher counts under §21-902(h) for repeat within 15 years)
- Jail: varies – 3 years (third) / up to 5 years (fourth, felony); mandatory min escalating
- Fine: $0–$5,000 (third up to $3,000; fourth (felony) up to $5,000)
- License suspension: MVA-determined, lengthy; interlock – revocation; hardship: Interlock Program
- §21-902(h) creates felony penalties for repeat DUI within a 15-year window (3rd = up to 3 yrs; 4th = up to 5 yrs). Verify current thresholds at page QC.
Refusing a chemical test (implied consent)
Refusal: 270-day administrative suspension first (2 years subsequent) via MVA, OR enroll in the Ignition Interlock Program to keep driving. Refusal admissible.
Statute: Md. Transp. Code § 16-205.1
Ignition interlock
'Interlock for all' since Oct 1 2024 — IID required for every alcohol-driving disposition including PBJ; the Ignition Interlock Program is the primary alternative to suspension.
Statute: Md. Transp. Code §§ 16-404.1, 16-205.1
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Maryland?
A first DUI in Maryland is a misdemeanor (DUI = higher; DWI = lesser). Jail: none – DUI: 1 year · DWI: 2 months. Fine: $0–$1,200 (DUI up to $1,000–1,200 · DWI up to $500). License suspension: DUI: 6 months (12 points → revocation exposure) · DWI: (8 points → suspension exposure) – varies via MVA; hardship: Ignition Interlock Program in lieu of suspension.
What is the legal BAC limit in Maryland?
0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
How long does Maryland look back at prior DUI offenses?
no fixed statutory washout (priors count; PBJ limited to once per 10 years). Maryland has no simple lookback for criminal enhancement — prior convictions count, and subsequent-offense penalties escalate; PBJ is unavailable if you received one for DUI in the prior 10 years.