<p>My son was recently caught driving at 12:20 AM, when he is not supposed to be driving after midnight. This happened less than 2 weeks before his 18th birthday (when the restriction goes away). He has to pay a $70 fine, and he was apparently told by the officer that there wouldn’t be any other penalties. However, on the ticket it says it’s a complaint/citation/summons. I can’t figure out if there is any other repercussion, such as points on his license, a continuing restriction, etc. I’ve done some internet searches but haven’t found anything. If it’s truly only a fine, he will need to pay it, and be done, but if there may be further penalties, I will suggest he try to speak with a judge or whatever, and explain the circumstances. Thanks</p>
<p>Unless you have a time conflict, it’s usually worth it to go to traffic court and explain your situation to the judge. He may get extra lucky and have the cop not show up in which case it all goes away. If not, the judge could dismiss it or keep the fine and dismiss any points. Worth a try. </p>
<p>How was he caught? There may be other repercussions due to whatever it was that caught the police officer’s attention and caused him to be pulled over.</p>
<p>According to the handbook linked he was eligible for a full license at age 17 & 9 months if he had 18 months of a clean driving record. So if his record is clean should he even have been given the ticket?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mva.maryland.gov/_resources/docs/MD-Graduated-Driver-Licensing-System-Information-Booklet.pdf”>http://www.mva.maryland.gov/_resources/docs/MD-Graduated-Driver-Licensing-System-Information-Booklet.pdf</a></p>
<p>You should call the Court Clerks Office in the early afternoon when presumably they have finished with the morning court docket and will be more informative. We live in VA and I think in similar circumstances a teen could lose the license 'til age 18. Which is so close for your son. It’s not a point-worthy infraction in our state. </p>
<p>The link osprey gave is old. The minimum age for a provisional license is 16 and six months. Full licence is age 18 at the earliest; not 17 and 9 months. Go to traffic court. If your child was on his way home from a school event, there are exceptions. The laws are clearly written on the Maryland MVA site.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/rookie-driver/general-provisional.htm”>http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/rookie-driver/general-provisional.htm</a></p>
<p>This link is for more recent changes in the Maryland laws for new drivers.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I know he broke the law, but I can’t determine what the consequences will be. I called MVA this morning, and I was told that if he pays the fine his license will automatically be suspended for a month, which I’m guessing will impact our insurance. The woman I spoke with recommended he appear before a judge. The cop told him there was no other consequence besides paying the fine. The reason he was pulled over was a problem with the car. He was not speeding or anything. He got a warning for the car issue, but a citation for driving after midnight. </p>