Caught Driving 30 MPH Over the Speed Limit in Maryland? What Happens Next?
A citation alleging that you were driving at least 30 miles per hour above the posted speed limit is no longer just an ordinary high-speed ticket under Maryland law. The current reckless-driving statute expressly includes the 30-MPH-over threshold.
If you were stopped for 30 MPH or more over the limit, the next steps matter. Start with the actual citation, identify every charge listed, confirm the court information and understand what the allegations may mean before your scheduled court date.
What Happens If You Are Caught Driving 30 MPH Over in Maryland?
Maryland law now expressly includes driving at least 30 MPH above the posted speed limit within the definition of reckless driving. That means a serious-speed traffic stop can involve more than an ordinary speeding allegation. The exact citation, charges, court location and circumstances should be reviewed individually.
What Happens Next After a 30+ MPH Maryland Traffic Stop?
The most useful place to start is the citation itself. Do not rely only on what you remember hearing during the traffic stop. Review exactly what the officer wrote and what offenses are actually listed.
Review Every Charge on the Citation
Determine whether the ticket lists speeding, reckless driving or additional traffic offenses. The exact charge matters.
Compare the Alleged Speed With the Posted Limit
Confirm both numbers. The statutory threshold is based on whether the alleged speed is at least 30 MPH above the posted speed limit.
Check Your Court Information
Identify the Maryland county, court location and any hearing or appearance information shown on the citation or subsequent court notice.
Preserve the Citation and Relevant Information
Keep the original citation and a clear photograph or scan. Write down details about the location and traffic stop while they are still fresh in your memory.
Have the Case Reviewed Before the Court Date
A review can begin with the actual ticket, alleged speed, posted limit, jurisdiction, driving history and other circumstances relevant to the traffic matter.
Why Is 30 MPH Over the Speed Limit So Important Now?
Maryland Transportation §21-901.1 states that a person is guilty of reckless driving if the person drives a motor vehicle at a speed at least 30 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
The statute also continues to address reckless driving based on wanton or willful disregard for the safety of people or property. In other words, the 30-MPH provision added a specific speed-based basis for reckless driving; it did not replace the existing conduct-based provisions.
A Citation Is an Allegation — Not a Conviction
Receiving a citation does not mean that you have already been convicted of reckless driving. The charge, evidence, court proceedings and final disposition determine the outcome of an individual case.
Do not assume the consequences based solely on the number written on the ticket.
What Are the Penalties for Reckless Driving in Maryland?
Under Maryland Transportation §21-901.1, a person convicted of reckless driving is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both.
Maryland Transportation §16-402 also lists reckless driving as a 6-point violation. The points statute separately lists speeding 30 miles per hour or more above the posted limit as a 6-point violation.
Six Points
Maryland’s current points statute lists reckless driving as a six-point violation.
Up to 60 Days
Maryland’s reckless-driving statute provides for potential imprisonment not exceeding 60 days upon conviction.
Up to $1,000
The reckless-driving statute provides for a potential fine not exceeding $1,000.
What Information on the Citation Should You Check?
A 30+ MPH case should be reviewed carefully because several details can affect what the ticket actually alleges and where the matter will be handled.
Alleged Speed
Identify the speed the officer recorded on the citation.
Posted Speed Limit
Confirm the posted limit so the alleged difference can be calculated accurately.
Exact Offenses
Check every charge listed rather than assuming the case involves only a speeding citation.
Maryland Jurisdiction
Note the county and court identified for the traffic matter.
Court Date
Keep track of any scheduled hearing date and subsequent notices you receive.
License Type
Identify whether you hold a standard Maryland license or a commercial driver’s license.
Send the Citation for a Case Review
Provide the alleged speed, posted speed limit, Maryland county, court date and a clear copy of the citation.
What Should You Avoid Assuming After a 30+ MPH Citation?
Serious speeding cases can be confusing, especially when more than one offense appears on a citation.
- Do not assume a high-speed ticket is identical to an ordinary low-level speeding ticket.
- Do not assume being charged means you have already been convicted.
- Do not simply add together every point value associated with every charge and assume that will be the final assessment.
- Do not overlook the court date or other instructions associated with the citation.
- Do not discard the citation after photographing it.
- If you hold a CDL, do not treat your commercial-license status as irrelevant to the case review.
Do Reckless Driving and 30+ MPH Speeding Mean 12 Points?
Do not simply add the six points listed for reckless driving to the six points listed for speeding 30 MPH or more above the posted limit and assume that 12 points will necessarily be assessed.
Maryland’s points statute contains a rule addressing multiple convictions arising from offenses committed simultaneously in time and place. The actual assessment depends on the offense or offenses of conviction and the applicable statutory rules.
Charges, Convictions and MVA Points Are Different Questions
The offenses originally written on a citation are not necessarily identical to the offenses of final conviction. That distinction matters when discussing Maryland point assessments.
What If You Were Driving 30 MPH Over and Hold a CDL?
Commercial drivers may have additional concerns when facing a serious speeding or reckless-driving allegation.
If you hold a CDL, identify that fact when requesting a traffic case review, even if the citation occurred while you were driving a personal vehicle.
Bring or provide the citation, alleged speed, posted limit, court date and information about your commercial-license status.
Does the 30 MPH Reckless Driving Rule Apply Outside Baltimore?
Yes. Maryland Transportation §21-901.1 is a state statute. The 30-MPH threshold is not limited to Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
The location of the traffic stop still matters because the citation identifies the Maryland jurisdiction and court that will handle the case.
Serious-Speed Traffic Defense Across Key Maryland Counties
Marylands Ticket Fighter handles Maryland speeding, reckless-driving and other traffic matters in targeted jurisdictions throughout the state.
What Should You Have Ready Before Contacting a Maryland Traffic Attorney?
Having the basic information available can make the initial review more useful.
- A clear photograph or scan of the entire citation.
- The speed alleged by the officer.
- The posted speed limit.
- Every charge or statute listed on the citation.
- The Maryland county and court location.
- Your scheduled court date, if one has been assigned.
- Whether you hold a CDL.
- Information about your existing Maryland driving record that may be relevant.
To request a review from Marylands Ticket Fighter, submit the information through the traffic case review form or call (443) 629-7278 .
Every Maryland Traffic Case Is Fact-Specific
This page provides general information about Maryland traffic law and is not legal advice. Reading this page or submitting information through BaltimoreSpeedingTicket.com does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation or a particular result.
Questions After Being Caught Driving 30 MPH Over the Speed Limit
Is driving 30 MPH over the speed limit reckless driving in Maryland?
Maryland Transportation §21-901.1 expressly includes driving at least 30 miles per hour above the posted speed limit within the definition of reckless driving.
What happens if I was caught driving exactly 30 MPH over the limit?
Exactly 30 MPH above the posted limit reaches the speed threshold stated in Maryland’s reckless-driving statute. The actual citation and charges should still be reviewed to determine what was alleged.
Is a Maryland reckless-driving charge the same as a conviction?
No. A charge or citation is an allegation. A conviction depends on the court proceedings and final disposition of the case.
How many points is reckless driving in Maryland?
Maryland Transportation §16-402 currently lists reckless driving as a six-point violation.
How many points is speeding 30 MPH or more over the limit in Maryland?
Maryland Transportation §16-402 separately lists speeding 30 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit as a six-point violation.
What is the maximum penalty for reckless driving in Maryland?
Maryland Transportation §21-901.1 provides that a person convicted of reckless driving is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both.
Does Maryland’s 30 MPH reckless-driving rule apply statewide?
Yes. Transportation §21-901.1 is a Maryland state law and is not limited to a single county or city.
What should I provide for a 30+ MPH traffic case review?
Helpful information includes a copy of the citation, alleged speed, posted speed limit, every charge listed, Maryland county, court location, court date, license type and relevant driving-record information.
Should a CDL driver mention commercial-license status when requesting a review?
Yes. A CDL holder should identify commercial-license status when requesting a case review, including when the citation arose while driving a personal vehicle.
Maryland Law Referenced on This Page
Maryland Transportation §21-901.1 — Reckless and Negligent Driving: Maryland General Assembly
Maryland Transportation §16-402 — Driver Point Assessments: Maryland General Assembly
Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act — HB 744 / Chapter 446: Maryland General Assembly
Caught Driving 30 MPH or More Over the Speed Limit in Maryland?
Send Marylands Ticket Fighter a copy of the citation along with the alleged speed, posted limit, Maryland county and court information.