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MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration

Removing a Restriction

Welcome to the new MVA.Maryland.gov!

You’ve reached the new website for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Adminstration. Thanks for visiting!

If you have a driving restriction on your license, you can request that it be removed once the restriction period ends or when you become eligible. The request for removal process depends on which division placed the restriction on your license.

Divisions that mandate a driving restriction

  • Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD)

    Contact AAD if your restriction was:

    • Ordered by a court
    • Placed because of a child support action
    • A 3-year alcohol restriction after 2 alcohol-related convictions within 5 years

  • Driver Wellness and Safety Division (DW&S)

    Contact DW&S if your restriction was:

    • Recommended by the Medical Advisory Board
    • Related to Ignition Interlock
    • Ordered by an administrative law judge without an end date
    • Placed by an MVA branch office
    • A corrective lenses or outside mirrors restriction

Requesting a driving restriction removal

Gather documents before you contact MVA

Please have this information ready:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Current mailing address
  • Driver’s license number, if you know it

Ways to submit your request

Using MyMVA is often the easiest option because you can upload documents securely and track updates.

  • Online through your MyMVA account
  • By mail
  • In person at the office that placed the restriction

Create myMVA Account / Login

Automatic restriction removals

Some restriction removals are handled automatically or through a branch office.

Child support restriction

If you have already complied with the Child Support Administration, you will receive a compliance letter. Bring the letter to any MVA branch office to apply for an unrestricted license.

3-year alcohol restriction

If your 3-year alcohol restriction was imposed after 2 alcohol-related court convictions within 5 years, MVA will remove it automatically at the end of the 3-year period. After that, you can apply for an unrestricted license at any branch office.

Removing a court-ordered restriction

If your restriction was ordered by a court:

  • If the court order includes an end date, bring the order to AAD after that date.
  • If the court order does not include an end date, contact AAD to ask when you may be eligible for removal.

Driving restriction removal forms

Depending on your restriction, you may be asked to submit the following forms:

Restriction Removal

What to expect after requesting a restriction removal

If your request is approved, you can apply for a corrected driver’s license at any MVA branch office. Your corrected license will no longer show the restriction code.

If your request is not approved, you will receive a letter explaining:

  • Why the restriction cannot be removed right now
  • When you may apply again

Alcohol and drug restrictions with no end date

If your alcohol or drug restriction does not have an end date, you may need to wait before asking to have it removed.

Note: These waiting periods do not apply to Ignition Interlock restrictions.

You may be eligible after 1 year if:

  • You had 0 or 1 alcohol/drug-related incident within 5 years
  • You held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year
  • You had no new alcohol/drug incidents during that time
  • You have no pending alcohol/drug-related charges

Contact us