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Maryland driving lesson · Restrictions & Penalties

Suspension, revocation & cancellation

A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Restrictions & Penalties
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
48

The MVA can take your license in several ways, and they aren't equal. Suspension is temporary, revocation is more serious, and cancellation ends the privilege for good.

Know the rule

The MVA may suspend, revoke, refuse, or cancel your license if you violate motor vehicle laws.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

The MVA's mailed notice tells you:

  • The action they plan to take
  • The reason for the action
  • Steps you may take to have it changed or stopped
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

In most cases you can request an administrative hearing to explain why the action should not occur.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

If your license is suspended, revoked, refused or cancelled, you must give it to the MVA. Suspension or revocation periods begin when the MVA receives your license.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Levels of MVA action

Levels of MVA action
ActionWhat it means
SuspensionTemporary loss of driving privilege
RevocationMore severe; no driving until MVA says safe
CancellationMost severe; privilege ended, not reinstated
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Restricted license

In some suspension cases, a license that lets you drive only for a specific purpose, like getting to and from work and school.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

After a revocation there is a minimum waiting period before you can ask the MVA to reinstate your license, and the MVA can deny the request.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

The MVA may cancel your license if:

  • You should not have been given a license
  • You did not give required or correct information on your application
  • You committed fraud applying for or obtaining it
  • You're under 18 and your parent or legal guardian asks the MVA to cancel it
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Put it into practice

Your license is suspended for 30 days, but you keep it in your wallet for two weeks before mailing it in. Your 30 days don't start until the MVA receives your license.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What does it mean if your license is suspended?
  1. Your driving privilege ends permanently
  2. You temporarily lose your driving privilege
  3. You may still drive with restrictions automatically
  4. You must retake the knowledge test immediately

Answer: You temporarily lose your driving privilege

A suspension means you temporarily lose the privilege of driving.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
How does a revocation differ from a suspension?
  1. Revocation is less severe than a suspension
  2. Revocation only applies to commercial licenses
  3. It's more severe; MVA must approve driving
  4. Revocation is always shorter than a suspension

Answer: It's more severe; MVA must approve driving

Revocation is more severe than suspension; the MVA must determine you can safely drive again before reinstating your license.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
What is the most severe administrative action the MVA can take against a license?
  1. Suspension
  2. Revocation
  3. A restricted license
  4. Cancellation

Answer: Cancellation

Cancellation is more severe than suspension or revocation; it ends your driving privilege and it is not reinstated.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
What is a restricted license?
  1. One valid only for a specific purpose
  2. A license valid only on weekends
  3. A license that expires within 30 days
  4. A license limited to daytime hours only

Answer: One valid only for a specific purpose

In some suspension cases, the MVA may issue a restricted license that only allows driving for a specific purpose.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
When does a suspension or revocation period begin?
  1. The day the violation occurred
  2. When the MVA receives your license
  3. The day you are notified by mail
  4. 30 days after the violation

Answer: When the MVA receives your license

Suspension or revocation periods begin when the MVA actually receives your license.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
Which of these could cause the MVA to cancel your license?
  1. You received a single parking ticket
  2. You moved to a new address in Maryland
  3. Fraud on your license application
  4. You let your registration lapse by one day

Answer: Fraud on your license application

The MVA may cancel a license for fraud in the application, providing incorrect information, or if you should not have received it.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
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