It is a common question which I receive on a regular basis. A Maryland resident receives a speeding ticket in another state. They want to know whether points will be assessed and whether their insurance premiums will increase.

As a general rule, a conviction for a minor traffic violation such as speeding outside of Maryland will not result in points on your Maryland driving record. Rather, a conviction will appear on your Maryland record, but no points will be assessed. Most of the time, your insurance rates will not be affected although you will need to check with your insurance company to be sure.

There are some caveats. Since a conviction will appear on your Maryland record, a judge will see it if you go to court in the future and the judge may be less likely to give you a break. In addition, some states have significant consequences there. For example, in Virginia, certain high speed speeding tickets are criminal offenses and a conviction will result in a permanent criminal record. In other states, convictions of some offenses may lead to a suspension of your privilege to drive there. You should always speak with a lawyer in the state where you received the citation.

Moreover, the inverse is not true. If you receive a ticket in Maryland and live outside of Maryland, your state may assess points which impact your insurance premiums or suspend your license due to the conviction. You should speak with a lawyer in your home state.

Lastly, convictions for serious traffic violations such as a DUI will result in points and consequences to your Maryland license. You should speak with a Maryland lawyer before entering a plea deal out of state.