How To Apply For Maryland Drivers License As A Teen

If you are looking into getting your driver's license in Maryland, you may be wondering what that process will look like for you. For Maryland, new teen drivers applying for their drivers license will take part in the Graduated Licensing System called The Rookie Driver Program. If you follow the steps below, you will get behind the wheel and gain that freedom you are looking for with your driver's license.

The Rookie Driver Program

The Rookie Driver Program 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 driving experience under the supervision of an experienced driver. It also encourages good driving behavior by imposing specific restrictions and strict sanctions during each step of the licensing process. In 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

First Step: Learner's Permit

When obtaining a learner's permit, it allows a new driver to begin the learning process of operating a motor vehicle while under the supervision of an experienced driver. Applicants must hold a valid learner’s permit BEFORE behind-the-wheel driver education or supervised driving on Maryland highways. Learner’s permits are valid for two years from the date they are issued. The requirements to obtain a learner's permit are:

• Minimum age is 15 years and 9 months.
• If the applicant is under 16, they must provide a completed Learner’s Permit School Attendance Certification form (DL-300).
• If the applicant is under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign the learner’s permit application.
• Applicants must pass a vision screening and a knowledge test.
• While driving, learner’s permit holders must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 or older and who has held a license for a minimum of three years. The person must be seated beside the new driver at all times with no other front seat occupants. Practice Logs are available to guide practice in several driving situations and conditions.
• A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian or mentor) must complete a Practice Log for the learner’s permit holder which is issued by the MVA along with every learner’s permit.

Learner's Permit Holder Requirements

Depending on your age, there are certain requirements that learner's permit holders must follow:

• Age Age 18 or under (without HS Diploma or its equivalent) - Must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• 18 years old (with HS Diploma or its equivalent) - Must hold permit for 3 months before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Ages 19-24 - Must hold permit for 3 months before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Ages 25 and older - Must hold permit for 45 days before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 14 hours of driving practice with supervising driver, which includes 3 hours at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.

Second Step: Provisional License

After successfully completing all the requirements for the learner's permit, new drivers in Maryland are now eligible for a provisional license. The requirements for a provisional license in Maryland are as follows:

• Minimum age is 16 years and 6 months.
• Applicants must successfully complete a standardized driver education course including 30 hours of in-class and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Driver education providers electronically submit the applicant’s course completion information directly to the MVA.
• Applicants must pass a skills test administered both on a closed course and in traffic. The driver's skills test for your provisional Class "C" or Class "M" license must be scheduled in advance. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Provisional License Restrictions

If you are younger than 18, the following restrictions apply to you when holding a provisional license:

• You are only authorized to drive without supervision between the hours of 5 am to midnight. From midnight to 5 am you must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver.
• You are not allowed to have passengers under the age of 18 during the first 5 months (151 days) of the provisional period, unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or the passengers are direct family members.
• Everyone must be properly restrained by a seat belt or in a child safety seat.
• You are prohibited from using a wireless communication device (including hands-free devices) while operating a motor vehicle, with the exception of a 911 emergency call. Use of a GPS device is permitted.

Convictions or “Probation Before Judgement” (PBJ)

If you receive any convictions or Probation Before Judgement (PBJ) for moving violations while holding a provisional license, you are required to complete a driver improvement program and/or suspension/revocation of your driver’s license. A conviction or PBJ will also restart the 18-month minimum holding period. In addition to other sanctions applied by the courts, the following sanctions are also imposed:

• 1st Conviction = Driver improvement program
• 2nd Conviction = 30-day suspension of license
• 3rd Conviction = 180-day suspension and completion of a young driver improvement program
• 4th Conviction = Revocation

Third Step: Full Driver's License

The final step in The Rookie Driver graduated licensing system is obtaining your full driver's license. The requirements for your full driver's license are:

• Minimum age is 18 years.
• If younger than 21, the license will carry an alcohol restriction.
• Once 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 is 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.

It may seem like a lengthy process, but as you work your way through it the time will fly by. You will be a fully licensed driver in Maryland before you know it.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's license journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.