Traffic Tickets in Maryland

SUMMARY: Maryland Traffic Tickets

Depending on where you received your MD traffic ticket, you can pay your ticket fines online, by mail, in person, or by phone. Be sure to take action within 30 days of receiving your citation. You may need to appear in court. To fight your ticket, you can plead “not guilty" by mail.

Continue reading this page to learn more about MD traffic tickets and fines and penalties.

Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties

If you receive a traffic ticket in Maryland, you will be required to pay a fine (shown on your ticket) and you may also receive other penalties.

Depending on your driver's license type, driving history, and severity of your violation, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may add points to your driving record. If you accumulate too many points, you could risk a driver’s license suspension or revocation.

Visit our pages about MVA Point System and Ticket Fines & Penalties for more information.

NOTE: If you have any specific questions about your traffic ticket, please contact the county court

Mandatory Traffic School

Depending on your violation, the Maryland traffic court may order you to complete traffic school.

You are generally not able to dismiss a traffic ticket or have points removed from your driving record by completing this course.

Pay a Traffic Ticket in Maryland

Check your traffic ticket for the words “ Payable" or “Must appear." This will determine the options you have to respond to your ticket.

If you wish to simply plead guilty and pay your traffic ticket, you usually have the following options:

  • Online.
  • By calling (800) 492-2656.
  • In person at the relevant district court.
  • By mail to:
  • District Court Traffic Processing Center
    P.O. Box 6676
    Annapolis, MD 21401

Check your traffic ticket for payment options.

For more information, visit our Paying Traffic Tickets in Maryland page.

“Payable" Tickets

If you have a payable traffic citation, you must do one of the following within 30 days of receiving your ticket:

  • Pay the fine (see above).
  • Plead “guilty with an explanation" and appear in court for a waiver hearing (see below).
    • You may receive a reduction in your fines and/or penalties.
  • Request a court hearing to plead “not guilty."

If you choose to simply pay your traffic ticket, the MD MVA will add points to your driving record, which could increase your car insurance premiums.

Request a Waiver Hearing

If you have a “ Payable" ticket, you may be able to have your fine reduced or waived by pleading “guilty with an explanation" by:

  • Checking the appropriate box on your MD traffic ticket.
  • Signing and dating the ticket.
  • Mailing the traffic ticket to:
  • District Court Traffic Processing Center
    P.O. Box 6676
    Annapolis, MD 21401

The district court will contact you with details of your court hearing. This appearance will not be a trial.

“Must Appear" Tickets

If you have a " must appear" traffic ticket, you'll need to visit the court on the date and time listed on your citation. Contact the appropriate traffic court directly if you have further questions.

Fight a Traffic Ticket

If you do not believe you are guilty of the violation on your traffic ticket, you can request a court hearing and plead "not guilty" by mail. Be sure to respond by the due date as the MD MVA may suspend your license.

Your traffic ticket should have instructions on how to plead “not guilty." Once you submit your plea, the court will notify you of your court appearance date.

Visit our page about Fighting Traffic Tickets to learn more, or contact your local county court directly.

NOTE: For additional guidance, you may want to hire a traffic ticket attorney.

Don't Pay Too Much for Car Insurance

Did you know that your car insurance rates might increase if points are added to your driving record? If you have your traffic ticket dismissed, order your driving record and make sure points weren't added by mistake.

Lost Your MD Traffic Ticket?

If you've lost your MD traffic ticket, you may be able to get ticket information:

If you have any further questions, contact the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket.

Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers

If you were convicted of a traffic violation as Maryland commercial driver, you must notify your employer within 30 days of receiving your ticket.

NOTE: If you receive a traffic ticket in another state, you must notify the MD MVA within 30 days.

For more details about how traffic violations can impact your MD commercial driver's license (CDL), visit our following pages:

Maryland Traffic Ticket: FAQs

If you still have questions about your MD traffic ticket, visit our Traffic Ticket FAQ page for more information about the following topics:

  • Missing your trial date.
  • Requesting a different court date.
  • Driving records.

Forms

DR-049O
Lost or Missing Citation Option Form
Use this form to request a waiver hearing OR trial for a violation you lost the citation (ticket) for.
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