LAWS & REGULATIONS

Car insurance laws and regulations can be intimidating, so by organizing it all in an easy-to-follow list, CheapCarInsurance.net has made it that much easier.

Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance in Maryland

• The Maryland Insurance Commissioner has helped Maryland motorists stay protected by requiring that every vehicle be covered by minimum liability insurance , personal injury protection and uninsured motorist insurance .
• Liability Coverage minimums:
  • $30,000 per single bodily injury or death.
  • $60,000 per multiple bodily injury or deaths.
  • $15,000 for property damage.
• Medical Payments minimums:
  • $250,000 for multiple medical coverage
• Uninsured Motorist minimums:
  • $30,000 per person
  • $60,000 per accident

New Driver Licensing Requirements:

• Maryland’s Driver Manual points out that all new drivers must complete the Rookie Driver/Graduated License System (GLS) to obtain a Maryland drivers license. The GLS consists of three parts: 1. Learner’s Instructional Permit, 2. Provisional License, 3. Driver’s License.
• Instructional Permit. This permit must be held for a minimum of 9 months and is valid for 2 years. Applicants at least 15 years, 9 months of age are eligible, and applicants under 18 must have a parent’s/legal guardian’s approval. If under 16 years, applicants must submit a Learner’s Permit School Attendance Certification Form to verify enrollment or graduation. Applicants also must pass a vision and knowledge test. While holding this permit, the following applies:
  • The applicant must complete 60 hours of supervised driving with 10 hours occurring during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • If the driver is at least 25 years of age, he/she may be eligible to take the road skills test after 45 days of holding the permit. This applies if the applicant has completed an approved driver education course, and has logged at least 14 hours of supervised driving with 3 hours occurring during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
• Provisional License. To hold a provisional license, the applicant:
  • Must be at least 16 years, 6 months of age
  • Must have completed a driver education course
  • Must submit a complete supervised driving log
  • Must have a valid Maryland Learner’s Permit which he/she has held for at least 9 months
  • Must have a clean driving record
  • Must pass the road skills test
• Driver’s License. To hold a drivers license, the applicant:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have held a provisional license for 18 months with no violations
• Vision Exam. Although certain restrictions apply and applicants may have driving privileges if they do not meet the standards listed here, all applicants must pass the vision test. A visual acuity of at least 20/40, a field of vision of 140 degrees and binocular vision are required for an applicant to pass. Corrective lenses may be worn, and the issued license will reflect the restriction.
• Knowledge Test. All information included in the knowledge test is contained in the Maryland Driver’s Manual. The test is automated and timed.
• Road Skills Test. The road test covers a variety of different driving tasks, each designed to evaluate the driver’s control of the vehicle. The vehicle used must be license, insured and in good working condition. The test administrator is the only passenger allowed in the vehicle, and he/she will grade the test upon completion. The administrator can terminate the test at anytime for any reason.
• Fees. The following fees apply for every applicant:
  • Learner’s Permit: $50 (includes conversion to full license)
  • New Drivers License for under 21 years of age: $9 per year
  • New Drivers License for 21 or over: $72

DUI/DWI Laws

• BAC limit: .08 Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration defines DUI as BAC .08 and DWI as BAC .07. DWI penalties are typically less severe, and listed here are the major penalties for DUI convictions in Maryland:
• First Offense:
  • Fine: maximum $1,000
  • Jail: maximum 1 year
  • License revocation: 6 months
• Second Offense:
  • Fine: maximum $2,000
  • Jail: 2 days minimum and 2 years maximum
  • License revocation: 12 months
  • License suspension: 1 year
  • Ignition Interlock: 3 – 12 months
  • Alcohol Abuse Assessment and program
• Third Offense:
  • Fine: maximum $3,000
  • Jail: maximum 3 years
  • License revocation: 18 months

• Maryland also utilizes the points system on state licenses. Each offense adds points to the license, and multiple fees are required to re-instate a license that has been revoked.

Texting & Driving Laws

Distraction.gov reports that all cell phone use is banned from novice drivers and bus drivers, while texting is banned from all drivers.

Unique Laws

Apparently Maryland has had some interesting encounters with animals in its history. A few laws that make this evident include the prohibition of taking a lion to the movies. Also, oysters may not be mistreated, and chickens are not allowed in hotel rooms. And while driving through the state, remember that it is illegal to swear while on the roadway!

STATS

Best Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for Maryland

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CheapCarInsurance.net Methodology

Car insurance quotes are for one car and one driver who has state minimum coverage with $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. The hypothetical driver is 40 years old, female, married, employed, a college graduate, and has good credit. She has no moving violations, accidents, claims, or lapse in coverage. The vehicles are assumed to be garaged on premises, used primarily for commuting, and driven 16,000 miles per year. Car insurance quotes include commonly available discounts and are estimates and not guaranteed.

Average Car Insurance Premiums

NAIC.org’s report shows that Maryland typically mirrors the nation’s changes in car insurance premiums although at different levels. For instance, Maryland’s average auto insurance premiums are above the national average while the state’s premiums as a percentage of income tend to be below. In 2012 and 2013, though, premiums as a percentage of income rose slightly above the national average.
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Drunk Driving Fatalities

Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Maryland’s drunk driving fatalities rose dramatically in 2011, the number has since declined. Maryland is now below the national average.
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Teen Drinking and Driving

Center for Disease Control indicates that Maryland slightly surpasses the national average in teen drinking and driving percentage.
[barChart_Teen_Drinking_Driving state=’Maryland’]

Vehicular Theft in Maryland

Maryland’s auto theft has been above the national average with the exception of 2013, but the FBI has reported its numbers are dropping. While still above the nation in vehicle thefts, Maryland improved its numbers.
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RESOURCES

State Department of Insurance

Maryland Insurance Administration
200 St. Paul Place
Suite 2700
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 468-2000
Toll Free: 1-800-492-6116
www.mdinsurance.state.md.us
Get Directions

Department of Transportation

Maryland Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
(410) 865-1000
Toll Free 1-888-713-1414
www.mdot.maryland.gov
Get Directions

Department of Motor Vehicles

Maryland Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway NE,
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
(410) 768-7000
1-800-492-4575
www.mva.maryland.gov
Get Directions