Opinion ID: 1957598
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: License Application Processing and Denial

Text: Petitioner draws a distinction between application for a new license and issuance of a new license and narrowly focuses his appeal on the issue of whether [p]etitioner is eligible to apply for a Maryland driver's license and have an investigation conducted by the MVA to determine petitioner's fitness as a safe driver (emphasis added). It is the distinction between application and licensure on which petitioner bases his contention that the MVA may issue a license after the expiration of one year from the date a license was revoked by another state. Petitioner goes on to note that the ALJ simply ordered that the MVA process petitioner's application for a license, and consideration of petitioner's eligibility to be issued a license is not yet ripe for appeal: 1) because the investigation has not been conducted to determine whether it would be safe under Maryland law to issue him a license; and 2) the ALJ did not order the MVA to issue [petitioner] a license (alteration added). Petitioner is essentially arguing that he should be considered for licensure and that, upon investigation, is confident that he ultimately will be issued a license in Maryland. In a letter to the OAH dated April 9, 2003, one day after petitioner's license application was denied by MVA pursuant to § 16-103.1, petitioner's counsel indicated his belief that he would prevail under the scrutiny of an investigation into his fitness: Mr. Gwin is confident he will pass such an investigation and is willing to comply with any and all conditions that may be deemed necessary to protect the public safety. Although he does have a serious alcohol problem, he has been abstinent since January 20, 2000. At that time he went into detox at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore for 3 or 4 days. From there he went to Reality House in Laurel for 45 days. From there he moved to a Transitional Rehabilitative Residence (TRR) for 14 months. Since leaving the TRR he has been attending 2 to 3 AA meetings per week and has stayed alcohol free. The MVA disputes that this issue is not yet ripe, and classifies that which petitioner deems a failure to process the license application, as an actual denial of petitioner's license application. According to the MVA, its denial of the license application relegates petitioner's demand for an investigation irrelevant. The MVA notes that petitioner challenged the authority of the MVA to deny his application under [§ 16-103.1], thereby initiating the contested case presently before this Court (alteration added). The occurrence which we have been asked to review has already taken place and [t]his Court has defined a justiciable controversy as one wherein `there are interested parties asserting adverse claims upon a state of facts which must have accrued wherein a legal decision is sought or demanded.' Boyds Civic Ass'n v. Montgomery County Council, 309 Md. 683, 690, 526 A.2d 598, 601 (1987) (emphasis added) (quoting Patuxent Oil Co. v. County Comm'rs of Anne Arundel County, 212 Md. 543, 548, 129 A.2d 847, 849 (1957) (quoting 1 W.H. Anderson, Actions for Declaratory Judgments §§ 17 (2d ed.1951))). Moreover, we are confronted with the issue of a possible conflict between statutes applicable to petitioner and applied by respondent, and their dispute as to the proper application of the statutes is a recognition of the existence of a contested case and, indeed, places the issues squarely before us. Thus, our review is appropriate because there is either an actual existing controversy, or antagonistic claims which indicate inevitable litigation, or when a party asserts a legal status or right and there is a denial by an adversary party, and the court is satisfied that such a decree will serve to terminate the controversy. Eberts v. Congress'l Country Club, 197 Md. 461, 465, 79 A.2d 518, 519 (1951).