Summary:
A Maryland driver was pulled over and discovered their license had been suspended due to unpaid child support. Now facing charges for driving without a license, the individual must also work to repay the missed support. This situation isn’t unique to Maryland—
all 50 states can suspend driver’s or professional licenses for unpaid child support.
The thresholds vary by state: for example, South Carolina suspends licenses for $500 unpaid after 60 days, while Mississippi does so after 30 days of delinquency.
Although each state is required to notify individuals of a suspension, drivers may miss these notices if their contact information is outdated. In such cases, proving ignorance of the suspension in court can be difficult, though possible with sufficient evidence.
License suspension poses a practical issue, especially for people who rely on driving to get to work or earn a living—making it harder to catch up on child support. Recognizing this, many states offer exceptions. For instance, Kentucky exempts commercial driver’s licenses from suspension. Fifteen states offer temporary or restricted licenses for commuting or parenting responsibilities.
In the Maryland case, the driver received support from the State’s Attorney, who offered classes and a fee in exchange for dropping the driving offense. This highlights how states may seek compliance through rehabilitation and assistance rather than solely through punitive measures.
Motor Biscuit
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