You’re eligible to get a Maryland learner’s permit once you turn 15 years and 9 months—here’s our guide to everything you need to know before you get to the MVA office.
is 15 years and 9 months old, so you need to be at least this old to apply for a learner’s permit. You also need to pass a vision screening and a knowledge test, plus show proof of identity and a school attendance verification form.
You need to be 15 years and 9 months old in Maryland before you’re eligible for a learner’s permit.
You do not have to take driver’s ed before you get your permit in Maryland.
To get your permit, you’ll need to pass a written test based on the Maryland Driver’s Manual. You’ll also need to pass a vision exam.
Bring proof of identity, your social security card, two proofs of residence, and proof of parental relationship. If you’re under 16, you’ll also need a verification of identity and/or school attendance form.
As a permitted driver, you’ll have special rules to follow, like not using a cell phone (at all) while you’re driving, only driving with a licensed driver who’s at least 21, and completing a practice log.
How to get a Maryland learner’s permit
Some states let you learn to drive as soon as you turn 15. Others let you do it as soon as you’re 14, while some make you wait six months from your 15th birthday to get a learner’s permit. However, the
a great 15th birthday present. Especially as it’s free.
It covers the basics of driving, plus traffic signals, driving conditions, dangerous behaviors, crashes, restrictions, violations, and penalties, plus information on sharing the road with other users.
It’s essential to have studied the manual before applying for your learner’s permit because part of the application process is to successfully pass a knowledge test based on its contents. You can take free practice tests with the
with the Maryland MVA and schedule an appointment at your local office to arrange a learner’s permit.
When you go to the appointment you’ll need to take these documents for staff to process your application:
Proof of identity - This would be a passport or birth certificate that shows your name and date of birth
Social security card
Two documents showing your Maryland residence address - This can be a credit card statement, a medical bill, a high school report card, or college/university communications
Completed verification of identity and/or school attendance form if under 16.
Proof of parental relationship or dependency - This can be a tax return or health insurance card or policy.
If you’re under 18 you will need a parent or guardian to co-sign your permit application and pay a $50 fee, which also includes the cost of conversion to a full license.
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Maryland learner’s permit regulations
Once you have your learner’s permit, you’re able to start learning to drive, but there are some restrictions on how you can do this. If you’re under 18 for example, you are prohibited from using a cell phone even with a Bluetooth or hands-free kit while driving, except to call 911.
You must also only drive with a qualified supervising driver in the passenger seat who is over 21 and has had a license for more than 3 years. No one else is allowed to sit in the front seat next to you while you are driving. This supervising driver also needs to complete a
, which you will have received from the MVA with your permit.
To move up to a provisional license, under-18s need to have held their learner’s permit for at least 9 months (this drops to 3 months for over-18s and just 45 days for over-25s) as well as completing 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which need to be at night. You also need to have completed 30 classroom hours of driver’s education and 6 hours behind the wheel.
If your learner’s permit expires before you have completed or passed the required skills tests, you’ll need to re-apply for a new permit, pass the vision and knowledge tests again, and pay the fees again.
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