Charlie's Driving School

Maryland Rookie Driver Program

How to Get Your Maryland Driver's License

Maryland uses the Graduated Licensing System (GLS). If you have never held a license, at any age, you move through three stages: learner's permit, provisional license, then full driver's license. Each stage builds experience before you drive on your own.

View Driver's Ed Classes (301) 500-7433

What do you want to learn about?

The 6 stepsLearner's permitPractice and wait timesProvisional licenseFull licenseHow Charlie's helps

Stage 1

Learner's Permit

Drive only with a qualified supervising driver.

Stage 2

Provisional License

Drive on your own, with restrictions, for at least 18 months.

Stage 3

Full License

Restrictions lifted after a clean record.

Start here

The 6 steps to your license

  1. 1

    Sign up for an MVA-approved driver's education course

    Maryland requires every new driver to complete driver's education: 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. You must be at least 15 years old to enroll in a driver's education program. Once enrolled you can start the classroom portion before you have a permit, and many students find it helps them pass the permit knowledge test. You must have a valid learner's permit before behind-the-wheel training begins.

  2. 2

    Get your learner's permit

    You can apply at 15 years and 9 months old. At an MVA appointment you will pass a vision screening and a knowledge test, then your permit is mailed to you. A permit lasts up to 2 years.

  3. 3

    Complete your practice requirements

    While you hold your permit you must finish driver's education, keep the permit for the minimum time for your age with no violations, and log your supervised practice hours in the MVA Practice and Skills Log.

  4. 4

    Pass the driving skills test

    The test is taken at the MVA in the car you bring. Part one is a closed-course maneuver; part two is 10 to 15 minutes on the road in regular traffic. Your signed Practice and Skills Log is submitted with your application.

  5. 5

    Drive with your provisional license

    You may now drive without a supervising driver, but with restrictions. You hold the provisional license for at least 18 months with a clean record.

  6. 6

    Receive your full driver's license

    When you are at least 18 and have kept a clean record for 18 months, the MVA automatically upgrades your provisional license. A card showing the change is mailed to you; carry it with your provisional license.

Stage 1

Getting your learner's permit

You need a Type 1 Learner's Instructional Permit before you can start behind-the-wheel training or drive on Maryland roads.

What to bring to the MVA

  • Proof of identity: Birth certificate, U.S. passport, Permanent Resident card, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
  • Proof of Social Security number: Social Security card, a pay stub showing your SSN, or a W-2 or 1099 showing your SSN.
  • If you are under 16: A school attendance form: DL-300 from your school or home school coordinator in a sealed envelope, or DL-300A co-signed by a parent or guardian.
  • If you are under 18: A parent or legal guardian must co-sign, and you must show proof of the relationship, such as a birth certificate with their name.

Make an appointment at any full-service MVA office through your myMVA account. Study with the Maryland Driver's Manual.

Rules while you hold a permit

  • A qualified supervising driver must be with you at all times: at least 21 years old and licensed for at least 3 years.
  • Your supervising driver sits in the front passenger seat. No other front-seat passengers are allowed.
  • No cell phone use of any kind while driving, even hands-free. The only exception is calling 911 in an emergency.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign your application.

Between stages

Practice hours and wait times

Your age decides how long you must hold the permit and how many supervised hours you need. Night hours run from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise.

Under 18Permit: 9 monthsPractice: 60 hours (10 at night)
18 with a high school diploma or GEDPermit: 3 monthsPractice: 60 hours (10 at night)
18 without a diploma or GEDPermit: 9 monthsPractice: 60 hours (10 at night)
19 to 24Permit: 3 monthsPractice: 60 hours (10 at night)
25 and olderPermit: 45 daysPractice: 14 hours (3 at night)

A violation resets the clock.

At any age, if you are convicted of, or given probation before judgment for, a moving violation, you must hold your permit for at least 9 months after the most recent date. The same applies after a suspension.

Record every practice hour in the MVA Practice and Skills Log. Your signed log is required when you apply for the driving test. Need more time behind the wheel? Our remedial training sessions give you extra instructor-led practice.

Stage 2

Your provisional license

To graduate from the permit you need: completed driver's education, a valid permit held for the required time with no violations, a completed and signed Practice and Skills Log, and a passing driving skills test.

Passengers

Under 18: for the first 151 days, no passengers under 18 unless they are immediate family, or a qualified supervising driver is with you.

Night driving

Under 18: no unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m., except to or from a job, organized volunteer program, school activity, or athletic event.

Phones and devices

No wireless devices at all while driving, including hands-free.

Seat belts

Everyone in the car wears a seat belt or child safety seat, every trip.

Drivers 18 and older with a provisional license must still follow all traffic laws and may not drive with any measurable alcohol if under 21. Drivers under 18 need a parent, guardian, or co-signer's permission, who may withdraw consent at any time.

Penalties to know about

  • Breaking the passenger or night-driving restriction: license suspended for 1 year.
  • Using a wireless device: license can be suspended for 90 days.
  • Any measurable alcohol if under 21: ignition interlock or 6-month suspension after a first violation, revocation after a second.
  • First moving violation: you must attend a Driver Improvement Program.
  • 5 or more points in 12 months: 6-month suspension the first time, 12 months after that.
  • Any conviction or probation before judgment restarts your 18-month clean-record clock.

Stage 3

Your full driver's license

The last stage needs no test. You become eligible when you are:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Holding a provisional license for at least 18 months
  • Free of moving-violation convictions and probation before judgment for the past 18 months

The MVA switches your license automatically and mails you a card. A conviction restarts the 18 months.

Licensed in another country?

You must pass a vision screening, knowledge test, and driving skills test, and complete an MVA-approved 3-hour roadway safety program. If your license is not in English, bring an International License or an approved English translation. Spanish-speaking applicants can ask about our interpreter service for the driving test, and our 3-Hour Roadway Safety Program covers the class requirement.

We're with you at every step

How Charlie's helps

36-Hour Driver's Education

The MVA-required class: 30 hours of classroom plus 6 hours behind the wheel. Pick your class dates.

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Extra Practice

Instructor-led behind-the-wheel sessions to build confidence before your driving test.

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Driving Test Services

Rent a vehicle for your MVA test, with or without an MVA-certified interpreter.

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3-Hour Roadway Safety

Required for applicants with an out-of-country license.

Learn more

This guide summarizes the Maryland MVA Driver's Manual and the MVA's Teens & New Drivers pages. Rules and fees can change, so confirm current requirements with the MVA before your appointment. Questions about our classes? Call (301) 500-7433.