Licensing & State Laws

Are you legally allowed to drive without supervision now? Learn more about Maryland's three-stage licensing process. 

Learner’s Permit

When you turn 15 years and 9 months, you can apply for a learner’s permit in the state of Maryland. To do so you must visit a full service Motor Vehicle Administration office, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian must cosign your application. If you are younger than 16 you must submit a completed Learner’s Permit School Attendance Certification form. You must pass a written driver’s knowledge test and a vision test to receive an instruction permit. 

• DMV Practice Questions – Take this sample test to determine if you’re ready to take the state driving test.

With a learner's permit, you may drive when accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years or older, who has at least 3 years of driving experience sitting in the front seat. You must obtain at least 60 hours of certified practice driving, including at least 10 hours at night. A practice driving skills log must be kept (signed by an adult) and submitted to the MVA. You must hold the permit for a minimum of 9 months, maintain a conviction-free driving record during this time period, and complete a standardized driver education course before becoming eligible for a provisional license.

Provisional License

When you turn 16 years and 6 months and you have held a learner's permit for 9 months, you are eligible for a provisional license. You must submit a completed and signed Practice Skills Log documenting a minimum of 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night), and pass a driving skills test administered either in traffic or on a course.

• Keep track of your practice driving with the AAA Driving Log.

With a provisional license, you’re only allowed to drive unsupervised between 5 a.m. and midnight, with exceptions granted for employment, school activities, volunteer programs or athletic events/training. During the first 5 months of the provisional period, you are not allowed to have passengers under age 18, unless the passengers are direct family members or relatives living at your address. You’re exempt from the night and passenger limits if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older who has 3 years of experience. You and all your passengers must use seat belts or other proper restraints. You must hold your provisional license for a minimum of 18 consecutive months without a violation before converting to a full license.

Full License

When you turn 18, you are eligible for a full unrestricted license if you have held your provisional license for a minimum of 18 months and have been conviction-free during that period. The MVA automatically converts the license to full driver's license status. 
 

For more information about teen driver licensing in Maryland, visit the Motor Vehicle Administration.  

Additional resources:

• Parent-Teen Driving Agreement – Signing a formal agreement with your parents helps in many ways.
• DMV Practice Questions – Take this sample test to determine if you’re ready to take the state driving test.
• Driver-ZED – Offered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Driver-ZED is a computer-based program to help you practice driving on your PC.