Maryland MVA Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

To apply for a learner's permit in Maryland, you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old. There is no upper age limit — adults of any age who have never held a license can apply through a similar process, though the requirements differ slightly.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application to give consent. They will need to accompany you to the MVA or provide a notarized consent form.

Residency: You must be a Maryland resident. You'll prove residency at the MVA with documents like a utility bill, bank statement, or other official mail showing your Maryland address.

Driver education: If you're under 25 years old, you must complete an approved driver education course before you can get your learner's permit. More on this below.

Driver Education Requirements

Maryland requires driver education for all first-time applicants under the age of 25. The course must be completed at an MVA-approved driving school and includes:

You must complete both parts before you can take the knowledge test. When you finish, the driving school will provide you with a certificate of completion to bring to the MVA.

Adults 25 and older: If you're 25 or older, driver education is not required. However, you still need to complete 14 hours of supervised driving practice before taking the driving skills test.

Fees and What You Pay For

There is no MVA fee for taking the knowledge test. Unlike many other states, Maryland does not charge a separate testing fee at the MVA.

The main cost is the driver license fee, which is $9 per year. You pay for the years remaining until your license expires (typically until your next birthday in a cycle). For example, if your license will be valid for 5 years, you'll pay around $45.

Driver education costs: The driving school course is a separate expense and varies by school. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 or more for the full course (classroom + behind-the-wheel). Shop around and check that the school is MVA-approved.

Retakes: If you fail the knowledge test, there is no additional fee to retake it. You can retake the test as many times as needed (subject to waiting periods).

Documents You Need at the MVA

When you visit the MVA to get your learner's permit, bring the following:

Tip: Use the MVA's online Document Guide to verify your documents meet requirements before your visit.

Do You Need an Appointment?

The Maryland MVA accepts both appointments and walk-ins for knowledge testing. However, having an appointment is strongly recommended to reduce wait times.

You can schedule an appointment online through the MVA website. Walk-in wait times can vary significantly depending on the branch and time of day — appointments help ensure you're seen promptly.

What Happens at the MVA

Here's what a typical MVA visit looks like, in order:

The whole process typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on wait times. The test itself takes most people 15 to 30 minutes.

The Vision Test

The MVA vision screening happens at the service counter. You'll look into a vision testing machine and read letters or numbers. Maryland requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses).

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them on during the test. If you pass with corrective lenses, your permit will have a restriction requiring you to wear them while driving.

Photo and Fingerprint

Your photo is taken during document processing. This photo will appear on your learner's permit and eventually on your driver license. Maryland also collects a digital fingerprint (typically thumb) as part of their identity verification system. Come prepared — remove glasses and hats for the photo (unless worn for religious reasons).

The Knowledge Test

The Maryland knowledge test is divided into two parts that are taken together:

You must pass both parts to receive your learner's permit. If you fail either section, you'll need to retake that section (or both, depending on MVA policy).

The test is administered on a computer and is available in English and Spanish. You have a maximum of 20 minutes to complete the test.

All questions are based on the Maryland Driver's Manual. Study it thoroughly, especially the road signs chapter — the 100% requirement on signs is strict.

The Road Signs Test

Maryland's road signs test is notably strict. You'll see 10 questions about road signs, and you must get every single one correct to pass. Missing even one sign question means failing that section.

The questions typically show you a sign image and ask what it means, or describe a situation and ask which sign would appear. You need to know:

Because of the 100% requirement, many people fail on road signs even if they pass the general knowledge section. Make sure you memorize all the signs in the Maryland Driver's Manual before your test.

Passing Score and Results

When you finish the test, you'll see your results immediately on the screen. The MVA clerk will then inform you whether you passed or failed.

If you pass both sections, you'll proceed to get your learner's permit issued. If you fail either section, you'll need to retake the test after the required waiting period.

After You Pass

When you pass both parts of the knowledge test, the MVA will issue your learner's permit. You'll receive the permit before you leave the office — it's valid immediately, allowing you to start practicing driving that same day (with proper supervision).

How long must you hold the permit? You must hold your learner's permit for at least 9 months without any moving violations or alcohol/drug-related offenses before you're eligible to take the driving skills test.

During this time, you'll need to complete your supervised driving practice hours (60 hours for those under 25, 14 hours for those 25 and older).

If You Don't Pass

If you fail the knowledge test, here's what happens:

There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the test in Maryland. Each attempt is free. However, the waiting periods apply, so it's worth studying thoroughly before each attempt.

Study tip: If you failed the road signs section, focus heavily on memorizing all signs. The 100% requirement is the most common reason people fail the Maryland test.

Learner's Permit Rules

Your Maryland learner's permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. If it expires before you pass the driving skills test, you'll need to reapply and retake the knowledge test.

While driving with a learner's permit:

Maryland's Graduated Driver Licensing

Maryland uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system for new drivers under 18. After passing your driving skills test, you'll receive a provisional license with restrictions that phase out over time.

You must maintain a clean driving record for 18 consecutive months(no moving violations or alcohol/drug offenses) before you can upgrade to a full license.

If you're 18 or older when you get your first license, the provisional restrictions still apply for the first 18 months, except for the curfew restriction (which only applies to those under 18).

Curfew and Passenger Restrictions

If you're under 18 with a provisional license:

Penalties: Violating the curfew or passenger restrictions can result in a one-year license suspension. Take these restrictions seriously.

The Driver's Manual

The Maryland Driver's Manual is the official study guide for the knowledge test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this manual.

The manual covers Maryland traffic laws, right-of-way rules, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, alcohol and drug laws, and special driving situations. It's available online as a PDF and at MVA offices.

Pay special attention to the road signs chapter. Given the 100% requirement on the signs test, you need to memorize every sign in the manual — their shapes, colors, and meanings.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare, especially for the strict road signs requirement.

Official MVA practice: The Maryland MVA offers a Rookie Driver Tutorial with practice questions that simulate the real test experience.

DMV Question Bank: For more thorough preparation, take Maryland MVA practice tests on DMV Question Bank. Practice until you can consistently score 100% on road signs questions and above 90% on the general knowledge section.

A good study strategy: read through the manual once, then take practice tests to identify weak areas. Review those sections and test again until you're consistently passing.

Supervised Driving Requirements

After getting your permit, you'll need to complete supervised driving practice before taking the driving skills test:

Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid license for at least 3 years. They must sit in the front passenger seat beside you at all times.

Keep a driving log to document your practice hours. While Maryland doesn't always ask for it, having a record protects you and ensures you've truly met the requirements.

Quick Reference

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