New Maryland Motor Vehicle Laws Take Effect Saturday

New motor vehicle laws passed by the Maryland General Assembly during its 2016 session will take effect on Saturday.

The list of new laws that will affect Maryland drivers includes theDrunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016, also known as Noah’s Law, which was signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan on May 19.

Noah's Law is named in honor of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah A. Leotta, who was struck by a drunken driver while pulling over another suspected drunken driver during a holiday patrol and died a few days later.

Noah's Law mandates the use of an ignition interlock for those convicted of drunken driving and will significantly increase administrative driver’s license suspension periods. An ignition interlock is a device that prevents a vehicle from starting when it detects a certain level of alcohol on the driver's breath and requires the driver to retest at random points while he or she is driving.

"Drunk driving kills, and ignition interlock is a key tool to end drinking and driving," Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn said.

Impaired drivers have accounted for roughly one-third of all road deaths in Maryland in the last five years. On average, there are 7,884 impaired driving crashes statewide every year, resulting in 171 fatalities and 4,026 injuries.

Under Noah's Law, drivers are required to participate in Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program for the following convictions:

- Driving under the influence (DUI)

- Driving while impaired (DWI) while transporting a minor under the age of 16

- Driving while intoxicated with an initial Breathalyzer test refusal

- Homicide or life-threatening injury by motor vehicle while DUI or DWI

Here's a list of other laws that will take effect:

SB 0544 & HB 0720 - Motor Vehicle Insurance - Insurance Identification Card - Carrying Proof of Coverage - Uninsured Motorist Education and Enforcement Fund

The law requires drivers to possess, or carry in their automobile, a current insurance identification card issued by their insurance carriers. The insurance identification card can be in tangible (paper, plastic, etc.) or electronic format. A person who violates the requirement can be fined $50. The bill provides for a delayed implementation of the fine, which will start on July 1, 2017.

HB 0058 Vehicle Laws - Historic Motor Vehicles - Authorized Uses and Inspections

The law alters requirements for registration of a historic motor vehicle by eliminating "and similar uses" from the list of permitted uses, and also by adding to the list of prohibited uses "for employment, for transportation to and from employment or school" and "for commercial purposes." In addition, historic vehicles with a model year of 1986 or newer could be subject to safety equipment repair orders issued at roadside by law enforcement.

HB 0986 Vehicle Laws - Trade-In Allowance - Leased Vehicles

The law provides that a person trading in a leased vehicle to purchase or lease another vehicle can receive a trade-in allowance toward the "total purchase price" of the new vehicle.

SB 0080 Commercial Drivers' Licenses - Cancellations and Downgrades

If an individual whose commercial driver’s license is canceled solely for failure to submit the required certificate of physical examination, the new law preserves his or her right to drive by automatically downgrading the commercial driver’s license to a noncommercial license as long as the noncommercial license is still valid. This will help commercial driver's license holders by preserving their noncommercial driving privileges while they regain their commercial driving privileges.

Check out a complete list of motor vehicle laws taking effect in 2016 here.