New Driver’s License Suspension Law

New Driver’s License Suspension Law
Effective Date: October 1, 2025

Maryland’s new Driver’s License Suspension law took effect October 1, 2025. The new law changes how the Child Support Administration (CSA) works with Marylanders on child support orders through driver’s license suspension. The law increases the time before CSA refers a parent required to pay child support to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) for driver’s license suspension from 60 days out of compliance with a child support order to 120 days. It also exempts noncustodial parents who are at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level from driver’s license suspension.

The new law encourages parents to pay child support while protecting those who are unable to work or pay based on their life circumstances.

1. What is changing about the Driver’s License Suspension (DLS) program?

The new law is a more equitable and targeted approach to driver’s license suspension.

  1. 120-Day Minimum: Your license can now only be referred to MVA for suspension if your account is 120 days or more out of compliance with your support order.
  2. Income Protection: CSA cannot refer your license for suspension if your individual income is 250% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, this protection does not apply if a court found that you are deliberately choosing to live in poverty to avoid paying child support (voluntarily impoverished) and the court based your support obligation on imputed (or potential) income.
  3. Review of Potential License Suspension: Before a license is suspended, you can request CSA review its decision to refer your license for suspension. You may claim the following reasons when requesting CSA conduct a review:
    1. The information CSA has regarding your noncompliance with the support order is incorrect.
    2. The suspension would prevent you from working.
    3. The suspension would place a hardship on you due a documented disability that prevents you from working, or the suspension would prevent you from complying with your court order.
    4. Your current income is 250% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  4. Focus on Willful Non-Payment: The goal is to encourage parents who can pay to comply with their court-ordered child support while working with parents who genuinely cannot pay.

    5. 2. What do I need to do if I’m a Custodial Parent (CP)?

    CSA is committed to collecting child support on your behalf. You do not need to take action right now, but here is what you should know:

    1. Enforcement Continues: If a Noncustodial Parent (NCP) is seriously behind on payments, we will continue to use enforcement tools such as contempt, income withholding, tax intercepts, and property liens.
    2. Review Notification: If the NCP requests CSA reviews the potential license suspension, you will be notified and given a chance to provide any evidence or information that disputes or supports their claim.
    3. Final Decision: If a driver’s license suspension does not occur, it means the NCP met one of the legal protections under the new law. The NCP’s obligation to pay remains, and we will continue to work with them to make sure the child support they owe is paid.

    3. What do I need to do if I’m a Noncustodial Parent (NCP)?

    The most important thing you can do is respond immediately to any notice you receive from CSA. We want to help you get caught up on your child support payments and avoid owing more child support or facing driver’s license suspension.

    1. If you receive a 60-Day or 90-Day Notice (Payment Reminder): Contact your local CSA office right away to make a payment plan and provide details about your income, employment status, and the number of dependents in your household. This information helps CSA determine if you’re exempt from license suspension under the new law.
    2. If you receive a 120-Day Notice (Possible Suspension): You must respond by submitting the Request for Driver’s License Suspension Review form within the deadline provided on the notice (usually 30 days). The Request for Driver’s License Suspension Review form is included with the 120-Day Notice.
      1. Submit Documentation: When you send the Review form, include evidence of any claim, such as documentation of your income, a letter from your doctor verifying a disability, or proof that losing your driver’s license would cause you to lose your job.
    3. Make a Payment Plan: The quickest way to stop a driver’s license suspension is to pay down arrears or enter into a payment agreement and remain in compliance.

    Contact Information: For questions or to provide information, please contact your local Child Support office or call 1-800-332-6347.