Traffic Stops
Transp. § 16-112 — the license in hand, a signature if asked, and no false name
In Maryland, each individual driving a motor vehicle on a highway has their license with them, and displays it to any uniformed police officer who demands it. Display means handing the license over into the officer's hands for inspection.
- If the officer asks, the driver signs their usual signature in the officer's presence, so the officer can tell whether the driver is the licensee.
- A person may not give the name of another person, or a false or fictitious name, to a uniformed officer trying to determine who the driver is.
- A holder of an electronic credential satisfies the display requirement only if the officer is able to access the verification system.
Why a car may be stopped, when it may be searched, and what follows a stop are set in other sections and in case law, and are not reproduced here. Whether a stop was lawful is a question for a court and for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Transp. § 16-112 — Carrying and displaying a license
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.