How long do you have to have your permit in Maryland?

Q: How long does it take to get your license in Maryland?

To obtain your drivers license in Maryland, youll need to apply for a learners permit, pass a test to get your provisional license, then drive for 18 months before you get your full license.

Table of Contents Show

Restrictions on Learner’s Permit:
Can you drive at 15 in Maryland?
How long do you have to hold your provisional license in Maryland?
How long does it take to get your license in Maryland?
Can I get my license at 18 without a permit?

Maryland's Graduated Licensing System

A learner's permit allows a new driver to begin the learning process of operating a motor vehicle.

Requirements:

Minimum age for applicants is 15 years and 9 months.

If under 16, you must provide a completed

verification of 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.

All applicants are required to present documents to the MDOT MVA. For Minor Applicants: Additional proof of parental relationship or dependency is also required, such as a tax return or health insurance card/policy. For a complete list of documents you can bring and to schedule your appointment, visit our Online Document Guide.

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 and can also practice with the Maryland Online Driver Test Tutorial to prepare for the 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 along with every learner's permit.

Age	Age 18 or under	18 years old	Ages 19-24	25 and older
Minimum holding period before provisional license can be issued	9 months	3 months	3 months	45 days
Minimum holding period before provisional can be issued, if Individual was convicted of, or granted probation before judgement for, a moving violation	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	14 hours of practice with experienced driver 3 hours at night
Supervised practice driving hours	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	60 hours of practice driver with experienced (who’s 21 and held a valid license for at least 3 years) 10 hours at night	14 hours of practice with experienced driver 3 hours at night
Driver Education	30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel	30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel	30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel	30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel

New drivers must also present the completed certification page from the

practice skills log (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. Your permit will be mailed to you.
Your driving skills test for a provisional license must be scheduled in advance. Go to here 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

Everything You Need to Know About Maryland's Graduated Licensing System
Rookie Driver Home

Home School Coordinators

Home School Coordinators List

Can you drive at 15 in Maryland?

Generally. Generally the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration can only issue a learner's permit to anyone who has reached 15 years and 9 months; issue a provisional license to anyone who has reached 16 years and 6 months; and issue a license to anyone who has reached 18 years old.

How long do you have to hold your provisional license in Maryland?

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.

How long does it take to get your license in Maryland?

To obtain your driver's license in Maryland, you'll need to apply for a learner's permit, pass a test to get your provisional license, then drive for 18 months before you get your full license.