Below, you can find the latest laws concerning drunk driving in Maryland. The penalties are steep,and they are getting steeper. With the death of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta by a drunk driver earlier this year, Maryland has taken action. If you are arrested for drunk driving, call an attorney right away.
Maryland Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties, Fines | DrivingLaws.org
What are the penalties for a DUI/DWI in Maryland?
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | |
| Jail | Up to 1 year (DUI); up to 2 months (DWI) | Up to 2 years (DUI); up to 1 year (DWI) | Up to 3 years |
| Fines and Penalties | Up to $1,000 (DUI); up to $500 (DWI) | Up to $2,000 (DUI); up to $500 (DWI) | Up to $3,000 |
| License Suspension | Min 6 months (DUI & DWI) | 1 year (DUI & DWI) | 18 months min. |
| IID** Required | No | Yes | Yes |
Lookback Period: 5 years (Period of time that prior DUIs are relevant for sentencing.)
How much do you have to drink (BAC*) for a DUI/DWI in Maryland?
| Under 21 | .02% |
| 21 or older | .08% or higher (DUI) Between .04% and .08% (DWI) |
| Commercial | .04% |
** BAC = blood alcohol content
How many drinks does it take? Check the BAC chart.
You may want to try our BAC Calculator, however I wouldn’t let any results encourage you to drink and drive.
What if you refuse to take a chemical test in Maryland?
Maryland has an implied consent law. That means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. Learn more about Maryland’s implied consent law.
| 1st Offense | 2d Offense | 3rd Offense | |
| Refusal to take test | 120 day license suspension | 1 year license suspension | 1 year license suspension |