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Learner's Permits for Beginner Drivers in Maryland

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

Obtaining a learner's permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in Maryland. You are eligible to apply for a learner's permit if you are at least 15 years and nine months old and:

  • you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
  • you are a new resident of Maryland who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than one year.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL LEARNER'S PERMIT

  1. Download a copy of the Maryland Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local MVA office.
  2. If you are under 16 years of age, you must provide a completed Learner's Permit School Attendance Certification). If you are home schooled bring certification from your home school coordinator.
  3. If you are under 18 years of age, your parent/guardian or an adult employer of the applicant must co-sign the application.
  4. Visit your local MVA full service office to submit the application. You must bring with you:
  5. proof of age of identity, age and Maryland residency, as specified by the MVA. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
  6. Your Social Security card.
  7. Cash or check made payable to Motor Vehicle Administration for the here. Credit cards are also accepted (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).
  8. You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued a learner's permit, which is valid for two years.
When driving with a learner's permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older who has held a license for at least three years. This person must sit beside you. If you are under 18, you are not permitted to use a cell phone while driving.

THE PROVISIONAL LICENSE

You are eligible for a provisional license if you are at least 16 years and three months of age provided you meet the following requirements:
  1. You have held a learner's permit for six months.
  2. You submit a driver education certificate proving you have successfully completed a standardized driver education course.
  3. You have completed 60 hours of supervised driving, ten of which was at night. A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian or mentor) must submit a completed and signed Practice Skills Log.
You must schedule an appointment for your driving skills test by calling (888) 212-4709. If you pass the road test, you will be issued a provisional license. The provisional driver's license in Maryland includes the following restrictions:
  1. Provisional drivers are not permitted to drive between 12 am midnight and 5 am unless accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older who has held a license for at least three years.
  2. If under 18 years of age, during the first five months of provisional period, you are not allowed to have passenger under 18 unless accompanied by a supervising driver. This does not apply if passengers are immediate family members.
  3. If convicted for moving violations, you will have to complete a driver improvement program and restart the 18 month waiting period for the full license.
  4. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.

THE UNRESTRICTED LICENSE

A full, unrestricted license may be issued when you are at least 17 years and nine months old. A junior driver's license may be changed to a regular, non-commercial driver's license, provided you meet all of the following requirements:
  1. You have held a provisional driver's license for at least 18 months.
  2. You have not been convicted of any traffic violation during the last 18 months.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION