No, Maryland law prohibits any activity that distracts from safe driving, including applying makeup, under Transportation § 21-1125. The statute explicitly bans “personal grooming” that impairs vehicle control. Violators face fines up to $500 under local ordinances enforced by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), with 2026 amendments expanding distracted driving penalties to include secondary offenses like makeup application.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Maryland
- Primary Offense Ban: Transportation § 21-1125(a) classifies makeup application as a “distraction” equivalent to texting, making it enforceable without additional traffic violations.
- Local Enforcement: Baltimore City and Montgomery County police departments issue citations under municipal codes mirroring state law, with 2026 MVA guidelines mandating dashboard camera review for corroboration.
- Penalty Structure: First offenses incur a $110 fine (waivable via defensive driving course), while repeat violations within 12 months trigger $250 fines and potential license points under § 16-402.1.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) 2026 compliance directives emphasize that even “brief” grooming acts—such as mascara application—constitute reckless driving under § 21-901.1 if they cause swerving or delayed reaction times. Courts have upheld convictions where defendants argued makeup application was “momentary,” citing the statute’s objective standard of impairment.