In Maryland you can apply for a learner's permit at 15 years 9 months if you are under 25. The knowledge test has 25 questions and a 20 minute time limit. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and the Maryland Driver's Manual.
Age and test format
The minimum age is 15 years 9 months for applicants under 25. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian signature and school attendance certification. You also take a vision screening. The knowledge test covers traffic laws, safe driving practices and road signs. The manual does not list a passing score, so ask the MVA for the current mark.
Practice hours and time with the permit
- Applicants under 25 need at least 60 supervised practice hours, with at least 10 at night.
- Teens under 18 hold the permit at least 9 months without a violation.
- Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed for at least 3 years.
- A first-time permit can last up to 2 years.
Keep the Practice and Skills Log up to date. It is much easier to write down each drive than to remember months later.
Rules you should know
- School buses: when red lights flash, stop at least 20 feet from the front or back of the bus. The exception is a road divided by a physical barrier when the bus is on the other side.
- Following distance: the MVA recommends 3 to 4 seconds in good conditions.
- Blood alcohol: .08 or higher is driving under the influence, and anyone under 21 may not drink any alcohol.
- Headlights: turn them on when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead and whenever you use your wipers.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicycle.
- Under 18, you may not use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except to call 911.
Maryland's move-over law covers any vehicle stopped with its lights flashing, not just police cars. Fines start at $110 and one point.
Why details matter
Test writers like numbers: distances, ages, hours, and limits. When you read the manual, highlight every number and make a one-page summary. Review it before each practice test.
A simple study plan
- Read the Maryland Driver's Manual in short sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right of way or the graduated license rules.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, documents and testing locations with the Maryland MVA at mva.maryland.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your MD visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. You have 20 minutes for 25 questions, so there is time to be careful. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.