FAQ LEARNER'S PERMIT, PROVISIONAL & FULL LICENSE

The Rookie Driver applies to all applicants, regardless of age, who have never held a license in Maryland or any other state or country. The program requires new drivers to gain more driving experience with a supervising driver. It encourages good driving behavior by imposing strict sanctions during each step of the licensing process, such as driver improvement classes or the suspension or revocation of licenses. 

The Rookie Driver graduated licensing system, applicants progress through three levels of licensing:

1. A Learner's Permit 

    2. A Provisional License

      3.  A Full Driver's License

Requirements:

Minimum age for applicants is 15 years and 9 months.

​​If under 16, you must provide a completed verification of your identity and/or school attendance form(#DL-300) to an MVA official during the learner’s permit application process. The attendance form must be presented to the MVA in a sealed, unopened envelope provided by the applicant's school or county home school coordinator, if home schooled.  A parent or guardian must co-sign the learner's permit application if the applicant is under 18.

Applicants must successfully pass a vision screening and a knowledge test prior to obtaining a learner's permit.  Applicants need to study the Maryland Driver's Manual, can attend one of Best Driving Academy's classes and, can also practice for their learner's permit using the Maryland Online Driver Test Tutorial to prepare for the permit knowledge test.

Applicants must obtain a valid learner's permit before any behind-the-wheel driver education training or driving on Maryland's roadways.

Restrictions on Learner’s Permit:

Learner's permit holders under 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone and all Bluetooth/hands-free devices while operating a motor vehicle, except to make an emergency 911 call.  Violations may result in a suspension of your driving privilege. While driving, learner's permit holders 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 the new driver at all times, with no other front seat occupants.

A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian, or mentor) must complete a practice skills log for the learner's permit holder, which is issued by the MVA when the learner's permit is issued. 

Best Driving Academy can also provide the skills logbook. 

New drivers must also present the completed certification page from the practice skills log book with the minimum number of practice hours according to their age classification as listed in the chart above, and their unexpired Maryland learner's permit when they arrive for their driving skills test appointment.

If a driver with a learner's permit is convicted of or given a probation before judgment (PBJ) for a moving violation, they are required to hold the permit for a minimum of 9 months following the date they were convicted of a moving violation, or granted the PBJ.  They must also meet all of the requirements for a provisional license before they are eligible to take a driving skills test.

If an applicant is under 25 years old when a first Maryland learner’s permit is obtained and then turns 25 afterwards, the MVA will permit the applicant to take a driving skills test if the permit has been held for at least 45 days (the 45 days may include the days the applicant held the permit before turning

25).  The applicant must have completed at least 14 hours of supervised driving and the required driver’s education program.  

An eligible supervising driver must have completed the certification page from the practice skills log.

Out-of-state driver’s education certificates are not typically accepted by the MVA.  Currently, the MVA has only approved certificates that are issued by the Delaware Board of Education that actually state that the certificate has been approved by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.  No other out-of-state certificates are currently accepted.

Parents Please Note: 

* If a new driver under 18 is cited for a moving violation, the MVA will notify the co-signer.

* Drivers under 18 may have their licenses suspended if the parent, guardian, or co-signer withdraws their consent. Contact the MVA for details.

Things to Remember:

* To obtain a learner's permit, please visit any of the MVA's full-service offices.  The MVA will mail your learner's permit to you. 

* Your driving skills test for a provisional license must be scheduled in advance. Go to https://mvascheduling.mva.maryland.gov/ to schedule an appointment.

Maryland requires all registered vehicle owners to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist, and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Please note that if your learner's permit expires, or you are not able to complete or pass the required skills tests before it expires, you will be required to reapply for a new permit.  

To do so, please:

• present your learner’s permit (if expired less than 1 year) and 
• pass the vision and knowledge tests and 
• pay the required fees  
• have your parent/guardian co-sign the application if you are a minor

A provisional license is the next stage of the Rookie Driver graduated licensing system process. You must have passed the Maryland driver skills test to obtain a provisional license. In the provisional phase, the driver gains experience by driving without supervision but with restrictions.  The restrictions include the use of a cell phone, transporting passengers, driving at night or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Minimum age is 16 years and 6 months
• You must successfully complete the requirements for a learner's permit with no convictions or probations before judgment for the required time period
• You must have completed the classroom and behind-the-wheel components of the Maryland driver's education program with an approved provider
• You must have completed all required practice driving under supervision and have a signed certificate, included in the Rookie Driver Practice Guide
• For more details, see the learner's permit page

All provisional drivers must maintain a clean driving record for 18 months before they are eligible for a full Maryland driver's license. With a provisional license, you may drive without a supervising driver. However, you may be subject to restrictions depending on your age.  

• Provisional drivers under the age of 21 may not drive with any measurable alcohol in their systems.  Older drivers must comply with Maryland's impaired driving laws.  
• Provisional license holders under the age of 18:
  • ​may not drive with passengers under the age of 18, other than immediate family members, for the first 151 days, without a qualified supervising driver.
  • may not drive between 12 midnight and 5 AM unless:
    • a supervised, licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has 3 years of driving is with them.
    • you are driving to or from a job, official school activity, organized volunteer program or are participating in an athletic event or related training session.
  • may not use any wireless communication device, including a hands-free device.
  • must use a safety belt, every trip, every time.  All passengers must use safety belts or child safety seats.

Any conviction or probation before judgment with a provisional license will restart the 18 month time period one must hold the license.  The time period is restarted from the date of the conviction or probation before judgment, or the date the license was restored after a suspension or revocation. 

In addition to the points and fines that may come from a moving violation, provisional drivers are also subject to additional sanctions:

• for the first offense, the driver must attend Best Driving Academy  Driver Improvement Program
• for two or more offenses, a suspension will be imposed:
  • for drivers under 18:
    • 30 days suspension for the 2nd conviction with an employment and education restriction for 90 days after the removal of the suspension
    • 180 days suspension for a 3rd conviction and the completion of a young driver improvement program with an employment and education restriction for 180 days after the removal of the suspension
    • revocation of the license for a 4th or subsequent conviction.  All tests must be retaken for reinstatement
    • if you accumulate 5 or more points in a 12 month period, a 6 month suspension will result for the first offense and a 1 year suspension for a 2nd or subsequent accumulation of 5 points.
    • any conviction for high risk driving will result in a 6 month suspension for the first offense and 1 year for a 2nd or subsequent high risk offense.  High risk driving is speeding, racing, reckless, aggressive or negligent driving.
  • for drivers older than 18:
    • 30 days suspension for a 2nd conviction
    • 180 days suspension for a 3rd or subsequent conviction

Sanctions for violating a license restriction:

• Anyone who violates an alcohol restriction must participate in the ignition interlock program or face a 6 month suspension.  A second violation of an alcohol restriction will result in the revocation of your license.
• Any conviction for violating the restriction on using a wireless communication device can result in a 90 day suspension. 
• Anyone violating the passenger or night time restrictions on their licenses will be suspended for one year.

​
Parents Please Note: 

• If a new driver under 18 is cited for a moving violation, the MVA will notify the adult who co-signed the application.
• Drivers under 18 may have their licenses canceled if the parent, guardian or co-signer withdraws their consent.
  

When you have successfully completed all the requirements of the provisional license, and held the license for the minimum requested time period, the MVA will automatically convert your license to the full privileges of a driver's license.

An attachment card will be mailed to you, indicating the conversion and should be carried with the provisional license.  Once you renew your license, you will be issued a new one and will no longer need the attachment.  

Provisional License Requirements for Drivers Holding Licenses from another State or Country:

Special provisions apply for drivers, regardless of age, who have less than 18 months of experience and hold a license from another state or country.

• The provisional license must be held for the minimum time periods specified below and remain free of moving violation convictions:
  
  • drivers previously licensed less than 6 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 18 months and be conviction-free.
  • drivers previously licensed 6 to 12 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 12 months and be conviction-free.
  • drivers previously licensed between 12 and 18 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 6 months and be conviction-free.
• If you are convicted of a moving violation, regardless of your age or experience, you will be required to restart an 18-month time period with no additional moving violations.  You become eligible to convert to a full driver's license when the 18 months have been completed. 
  

A U.S. Armed forces military operator's permit or license is not acceptable proof of a driver's license.  If you cannot provide proof of ever holding a driver's license, you will need to apply as a new driver and complete all of the required graduated licensing requirements.

• Minimum age is 18 years and 0 months.
• Drivers must hold a provisional license for a minimum of 18 months and be conviction-free during that period.
• If under 21, the applicant's license and record must be alcohol-free.
• When provisional license holders successfully meet all requirements, the MVA automatically converts the license to a full driver's license status. An attachment card showing the conversion to a full license is mailed to the driver. The card should be carried with the Provisional license to show the change in licensing status. The attachment card is no longer needed when the provisional license expires. The driver comes in for a license renewal, pays the renewal fee and then is issued a full license.

• If a new driver under 18 is cited for a moving violation, the MVA will notify the cosigner.
• Drivers under 18 may have their license suspended if the parent, guardian, or cosigner withdraw their consent. 

• The State of Maryland requires all registered owners to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist, and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.