Driving Tests Requirements
The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) requires all driver license applicants to pass vision screening, a knowledge test, and a driving skills test. Vision screening requires binocular vision with visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye and a continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees.
The MVA knowledge test consists of 25 questions with a 20-minute time limit testing Maryland motor vehicle laws, traffic signs, and safe driving practices. For the driving skills test, applicants must bring an insured, properly registered, and safe vehicle accompanied by a qualified supervising driver.
Licensing Requirements and Process
Applicants for a Class C noncommercial driver license must present proof of age, identity, legal presence, Social Security number, and two documents proving Maryland residency. Maryland enforces the Rookie Driver Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for all new drivers.
Under the GLS program, applicants at age 15 years and 9 months may apply for a Learner's Instructional Permit with parental co-signature if under 18. Permit holders must complete a 36-hour driver education course (30 hours classroom plus 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction), log 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night), and hold the permit for at least 9 months (or 3 months for applicants 25 and older). At age 16 years and 6 months, drivers who pass the skills test advance to a Provisional License subject to a night curfew (12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) and a passenger restriction prohibiting non-family passengers under 18 for the first 5 months; full licensing is granted at age 18 after 18 months of conviction-free provisional driving.
Basic Driving
Before operating a vehicle, drivers must conduct pre-trip checks, adjust seat positioning, and adjust mirrors to minimize blind spots. Drivers should maintain proper hand positioning at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock or 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock on the steering wheel.
Maintaining spatial management requires scanning ahead and preserving a minimum three-to-four second following distance under normal conditions. When reversing, turn your body and look directly through the rear window over your right shoulder while moving at a slow walking speed.
Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings
Traffic control devices regulate right-of-way and communicate essential safety warnings. Octagon red signs indicate mandatory stops, downward triangles demand yield, pennant signs placed on the left side of the road mark no-passing zones, and diamond signs warn of upcoming hazards. Work zone warning signs feature orange backgrounds, and traffic fines are doubled in active construction zones.
Steady red traffic signals require a complete stop; right turns on red are permitted after stopping unless prohibited by signs. Flashing red signals function as a stop sign, while a flashing yellow arrow permits turns after yielding. Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions, solid white lines mark lane boundaries, and shared center left-turn lanes are reserved strictly for making left turns.
Driving Situations and Conditions
Maryland statutory speed limits establish maximum speeds under ideal driving conditions: 15 mph in mobile home parks, 30 mph in urban residential or business districts, 50 mph on rural undivided highways, 55 mph on divided highways, and 65 to 70 mph on interstate highways. Maryland's basic speed law requires driving at a safe, reasonable speed for current road and weather conditions regardless of posted signs.
Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise, during fog or rain, and whenever windshield wipers are in continuous use; high beams must be dimmed within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and 200 feet when following behind another vehicle. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 mph on wet pavement. Under Maryland's Move Over Law, motorists approaching stationary emergency, utility, tow, or service vehicles with flashing lights must yield by changing lanes or slowing down to a safe speed.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Impaired (DWI) carry severe criminal penalties and license suspensions in Maryland. The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) threshold is 0.08 percent or higher for DUI, 0.07 percent for DWI, 0.02 percent (zero tolerance) for drivers under 21, and 0.04 percent for commercial drivers.
Under Maryland's Implied Consent Law, chemical test refusal results in an automatic 270-day license suspension for a first offense (and 2 years for subsequent offenses) plus mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation. Maryland law strictly prohibits holding a handheld mobile phone to talk, text, or read electronic messages while driving.
Sharing the Road
Motorists must share Maryland roadways safely with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, commercial trucks, and school buses. Drivers must yield right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks.
When passing a bicyclist, Maryland law requires leaving at least three feet of clearance. Commercial trucks have large blind spots called 'No-Zones' extending 20 feet in front of the cab and 200 feet behind the trailer. Drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights; on divided highways separated by a physical median, opposing traffic is not required to stop.
Crashes and Traffic Stops
In motor vehicle crashes, drivers must stop immediately, activate emergency flashers, render assistance to injured persons, and exchange license and insurance details. Crashes resulting in injury, death, or total property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported to law enforcement.
During a law enforcement traffic stop, pull safely to the right shoulder, turn on interior lights at night, keep both hands visible on the steering wheel, and follow the officer's instructions.
Other Restrictions, Violations and Penalties
The Maryland MVA maintains a demerit point system for traffic convictions. Points remain active on a driver's record for two years.
Accumulating 3 to 4 points results in a warning letter; 5 to 7 points requires completing a Driver Improvement Program (DIP); 8 to 11 points leads to license suspension; and 12 or more points results in driver license revocation.
Other Important Information
Drivers must report specified medical conditions (including seizure disorders, loss of consciousness, or cardiovascular conditions) to the MVA Medical Advisory Board.
Vehicle owners must maintain continuous liability insurance coverage. Littering on Maryland highways carries severe penalties, including fines up to $1,500 and up to 30 days imprisonment.