Maryland uses the GLS (Graduated Licensing System),a program which requires new drivers to gain driving experience with a supervising driver. It encourages the development of safe driving skills by imposing certain limitations during each step of the licensing process. This decreases your chances of being involved in an automobile accident as a new driver.
Here is an overview of the licensing process step-by-step:
(1) Sign Up for an MVA-Certified Driver's Education course
You can take Driver's Ed at the age of 15. In Maryland, the law requires everyone to complete this course in order to obtain a new driver's license. This rule applies toall Maryland residents, regardless of age.
You do not need to take Driver's Ed before getting your learner's permit, but many students find that taking the class first helps them to pass the MVA learner's permit test later when they apply for a permit.
For complete information about the course, see Driver's Education Information.
To sign up for a class, simply call Greg's Driving School at 800-456-1255. |
(2) Obtain a Learner's Permit
You can apply for a learner's permit at the age of 15 and 9 months. In order to obtain your learner's permit, you will need to pass a written exam which will be administered at the MVA. You can get the study guides for this test in our Testing Resources section.
For more information on learner's permits, you can visit the MVA Learner's Permit information section of the MVA web site. |
(3) Fulfill All Practice Requirements
Maryland law requires that you have at least 9 months of driving practice with yourlearner's permit before you can apply for a provisional driver's license.
During the practice period, you are required to:
- Complete the 3 in-car lessons of the Driver's Education course
- Complete at least 60 hours of driving practice at home, and fill in those hoursin theMVA Skills Logbook
- Keep your learner's permit for at least 9 months with no traffic violations. If you receive a speeding ticket or other violation while you have yourlearner's permit,then the9-monthwaiting period will reset, and you will need to wait an additional9 months.
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(4) Obtain your Provisional Driver's License
You can apply for a provisional driver's license after you have had your learner's permitfor at least 9 months and fulfilled the practice requirements above.
In order to obtain your provisional license, you will need to pass a driving skills test at the MVA. The test will be conducted in your own car. An MVA examiner will sit in the passenger seat and ask you to perform various driving maneuvers.
The driving skills test consists of two parts. The first part of the test occurs on a test course at the MVA, and the examiner will instruct you to perform two maneuvers:parallel parking, and a two-point turnabout. For the second part of the test, you'll be driving on the road in regular traffic for 10 to 15 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform several maneuvers in traffic, such as turns and lane changes.
You can get the study guide for the driving skills test in our Testing Resources section.
Need extra practice for the driving skills test? Greg's offers supplemental lessonsto help you brush up on these maneuvers. Our instructors are very familiar with theMVA test. We will show you the best techniques to help you pass!
For more information about provisional licenses, visit the MVA Provisional Licenseinformation section of the MVA web site. |
(5) Fulfill Provisional Driving Requirements
Maryland law requires that you keep your provisional license for at least 18 months(a year and a half) before converting to a full driver's license.
When driving with your provisional license, the following restrictions apply:
- During the first 5 months, provisional license holders are not allowed to have friends under the age of 18 in the car, unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver. If no supervising driver is present, then the only passengers under 18 permitted are family members (for the first5 months.)
- Provisional license holders under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive after midnight unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver. There are some exceptions to this rule for certain work-related or school-related activities.
- In order to convert to a full driver's license, you must keep your provisional license for at least 18 months with no traffic violations. If you receive a speeding ticket or other violation while you have yourprovisional license,then the18-monthwaiting period will reset, and you will need to wait an additional18 months.
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(6) Obtain your Full Driver's License
Your provisional license will be converted to a full driver's license after you have kept your license for at least 18 months with no traffic violations.
For more information about full driver's licenses, you can visit the MVA Driver's License information section of the MVA web site. |
For locations, class schedules, and fees, see Driver's Education Information.
To sign up for a class or get more information, call800-456-1255.
