Maryland Drivers Education

Like many states, Maryland has adopted a graduated license procedure (known as the Rookie Driver Program) that is designed to ensure that new drivers learn to be safe drivers. A learner's permit allows a new driver to begin the learning process of operating a motor vehicle.

Requirements

  • You must be 15 years and 9 months of age.
  • If you are under 16, you must provide a completed Learner's Permit School Attendance Certification form during the learner's permit application process and if you are home schooled you must obtain certification from the home school coordinator for your jurisdiction.
  • Your parent or guardian must co-sign your learner's permit application if you are under 1.
  • You are required to submit sources of proof of age, identity, and Maryland residence.
  • You must pass all required tests.
  • While driving, you must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 years or older, and has held a license for a minimum of 3 years. The person must be seated beside you at all times, with no other front seat occupants.
  • Your qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian, or mentor) must complete a Practice Skills Log for you which is issued your learner's permit.
  • Your Learner's permit is good for 1 year from the date you receive it.
  • If you are under 18 you are prohibited from using a wireless communication device (including a cell phone) while operating a motor vehicle, except to make an emergency 911 call. Any violation may result in a suspension of your driving privilege.
  • You must have your learner's permit for a minimum of six months, maintain a conviction-free driving record during this time period, and complete a standardized driver education course before you will be eligible for a provisional license.

A provisional license is the next stage of the Rookie Driver graduated licensing system process. After gaining experience driving with your learner's permit for 6 months, maintaining a conviction-free driving record and completing a standardized driver education course, you are eligible for a provisional license.

Requirements

  • You must be 16 years and 3 months.
  • you must submit a driver education certificate, as proof you have successfully completed a standardized driver education course.
  • A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian, or mentor) must submit a completed and signed Practice Skills Log documenting a minimum of 60 hours of supervised driving for you. A supervising driver is a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, with at least 3 years of driving experience. At least 10 of the practice hours must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise.
  • Your driver's skills test for a provisional license must be scheduled in advance and you must pass a skills test administered either in traffic or on a course.
  • If you are under 18 you are only authorized to drive without supervision between the hours of 5 am to midnight. From midnight to 5 am you must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is 21 or older, and has held a license for a minimum of 3 years.
  • If you are under the age of 18, during the first 5 months (151 days) of the provisional period, are not allowed to have passengers under the age of 18, a qualified supervising driver is in the car or the passengers are your direct family members. Direct family members can be a spouse, daughter, son, stepdaughter, stepson, sister, brother, stepsister, or stepbrother.
  • Convictions or "Probation Before Judgment" (PBJ) for moving violations while holding a provisional license will require the completion of a driver improvement program and/or the suspension/revocation of your driver's license. Convictions also restart the 18-month minimum waiting period.
  • In addition there may be administrative sanctions imposed.
  • Provisional license holders under 18 and all the passengers in the vehicle they are driving must use seat belts at all time.

Restrictions on Time

While you are under the age of 18 you may not drive 12 midnight and 5 a.m. unless:

  • You are accompanied or supervised by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, with at least 3 years of driving experience.
  • You are driving to, from, or during employment.
  • You are driving to or from an official school activity.
  • You are driving to or from an organized volunteer program.
  • You are driving to or from participation in an athletic event or related training session.

Once you are 18, you are no longer bound by these restrictions and may drive at any hour.

  • You must hold a provisional license for a minimum of 18 months and be conviction-free during that period.
  • If you are under 21, your license and record must be alcohol-free.
  • once you successfully meet all requirements, the Motor Vehicle Administration automatically converts your license to full driver's license status.

Things to Remember

  • Obtain a free copy of the Maryland Driver's Handbook and How to Apply brochure. Each offers valuable information for new drivers.
  • The State of Maryland requires all registered owners to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist, and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.