New Laws Focused on Improving Road Safety and Driver Accountability Take Effect October 1

House Bill 46 (CH 364) / Senate Bill 222 (CH 365) : Public Health - Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council - Membership updates the advisory body that provides critical feedback on cannabis-related policies and their impacts across multiple sectors. In addition to experts in health, education, public safety and cannabis, the membership will now include the MVA Administrator or a designee to advise on the impacts of cannabis and impaired driving.

House Bill 189 (CH 49) / Senate Bill 187 (CH 50): Drunk Driving - Commercial Driver's Licenses - Disqualification From Driving strengthens the penalty for commercial driver's license (CDL) (or learner's permit) holders in Maryland who are convicted of driving under the influence. It requires the MVA to suspend a CDL holder's commercial driving privileges for at least one year if they are convicted of certain offenses including driving any vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. For commercial vehicles, the threshold remains lower at 0.04 BAC. Stricter penalties will apply if the driver was transporting hazardous materials or if they have multiple offenses, including a lifetime ban for repeat violations.

House Bill 463 (CH 297) / Senate Bill 471 (CH 298): Vehicle Laws - Motor Vehicle Administration - 3-Hour Roadway Safety Driving Education Program - Requirements revises the MVA's existing three-hour education course for driver's license applicants with a valid license from another country. Previously, the course strictly focused on alcohol and drug education. The modernized curriculum will still remain three-hours but will also cover highway signs, signals, pavement markings, administrative penalties and sanctions, and work zone safety. The MVA can approve private or local entities to provide the course, and participants must pay a fee. House Bill 70 < /a>/ Senate Bill 207 (CH 366) : Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving and Failure to Remain at the Scene - Revocation of Driver's License increases accountability and improves road safety, strengthens penalties for drivers in Maryland who are involved in serious crashes while impaired by drugs or alcohol or who flee the scene of such incidents. If a person is convicted or receives probation for impaired driving that causes a death or life-threatening injury, or for leaving the scene of a crash, their driver's license must be revoked by the MVA. These individuals may apply for license reinstatement after five years, or after two years if they meet strict conditions. Additionally, the MVA must revoke the license of any individual that is convicted of fleeing the scene of a crash that results in death of serious bodily injury.

Other bills going into effect on October 1 related to motor vehicle operations include:

• HB0707 (CH 440) / Senate Bill 618 (CH 448 ): Vehicle Laws - Licenses, Identification Cards, and Moped Operator's Permits - Notation of Nonapparent Disability (Eric's ID Law) allows individuals to add an optional Hidden Disability (e.g., developmental or intellectual) notation to their license, ID, or moped operator's permit. The MVA is responsible for adding the notation, protecting the applicant's privacy, removing it upon request, and conducting public outreach.
• House Bill 191 (CH 520) / Senate Bill 40 (CH 52 1): Vehicle Laws - Towed, Removed, or Abandoned Vehicles - Electronic Notice to Owner allows towers and police to notify vehicle owners electronically about towed or abandoned vehicles through the MVA. The Administration will manage regulations and maintain contact information for these electronic notices.
• House Bill 313 (CH 491) / Senate Bill 54 (CH 49 2)​: Motor Vehicles - Specially Designed Vintage Reproduction Registration Plates authorizes the MVA to issue specially designed vintage license plates. Eligible vehicle owners can order them online or at MVA kiosks.