Baltimore, MD asked in Civil Rights for Maryland

Q: When pulled over in Maryland, do I legally have to hand the police my ID or can I simply show it through the window?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: Md. Ann. Code, Trans. Art., Section 16-112 states that each driver of a motor vehicle shall display the license to any uniformed police officer who demands it. It goes on to state that this is satisfied only if the officer is able to access the verification system. I read this to mean that you have to give the officer your license so that he or she can scan it into the system.

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