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Maryland Teen Driving Guide

What parents need to know about the learn-to-drive process in Maryland: six steps, from the first class to the insurance call.

Requirements checked: October 2026, against official state licensing sources: Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA).

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  1. 1

    Driver’s ed in Maryland

    Requirement
    Required: a Maryland-certified driver education course with 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training (behind-the-wheel starts after the permit is issued).

    Online driver’s ed for Maryland

    Aceable offers state-certified online courses your teen can complete at home.

    DRVN may earn a referral fee if you enroll through this link.

    Find an online driver’s ed course
  2. 2

    Get a Maryland learner’s permit

    Minimum age
    15 years 9 months
    The test
    Vision screening and a knowledge test at a full-service MVA office appointment.
    What to bring
    Proof of identity (birth certificate, U.S. passport, or similar; dependents whose document lacks a parent's name also need proof of parental relationship), proof of Social Security number, and for applicants under 16 a school attendance form (DL-300 in a sealed envelope from the school, or DL-300A co-signed by a parent/guardian); appointment booked through myMVA.
  3. 3

    Practice driving with a parent

    Supervised hours
    60 hours, including 10 at night, with a supervising driver 21 or older who has held a license at least 3 years
    Time on the permit
    9 months (restarts if convicted of or given probation before judgment for a moving violation)

    Track every practice hour with DRVN

    Log hours and routes as you drive, follow lesson plans for each stage, and check off skills. Free.

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  4. 4

    Pass the road test

    Minimum age
    16 years 6 months
    The road test
    Behind-the-wheel test by required appointment at an MVA branch office; bring a valid learner's permit, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, the signed practice skills log, driver ed completion verification, and a licensed supervising driver.
  5. 5

    Know the rules for new drivers

    Restrictions
    Drivers under 18 may not drive midnight-5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ with 3 years' experience or traveling to or from work, school, volunteer, or athletic activities, and for the first 151 days may not carry passengers under 18 other than immediate family without a qualified supervising driver.
  6. 6

    Add your teen to your car insurance

    When
    Call your insurer as soon as your teen gets a permit. Some policies cover permit drivers automatically and others need them listed; rates usually rise once your teen is licensed.
    Save money
    Ask about good-student and driver-training discounts, and compare quotes before your teen gets the first license.

Checked October 2026 against official Maryland sources

Rules change. Confirm the details with Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) before you go.

Meeting the requirements is only the beginning.

Your state determines when your teen is legally eligible to drive. Readiness depends on the experience, judgment, and independence they demonstrate before they drive alone.

See how to evaluate readiness

Turn the required hours into useful practice.

DRVN helps parents plan practice, track driving experience, and see what their teen still needs to work on before driving alone.

See how DRVN works

Maryland city guides

Guides for the most popular Maryland cities.

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