Maryland learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Maryland doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years, 9 months
To pass the knowledge test
22 of 25 correct (88%)
Fees
$65 total
Supervised driving
60 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
25 questionsSources 123
Passing score
22 of 25 correct (88%)Sources 123
Time limit
20 minutesSources 123
Permit and test fees
$65 totalThe knowledge test is free; the $65 Type I learner's permit (for people never licensed) also covers the later conversion to a full license.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 years, 9 months15 years and 9 months for a Type 1 Learner's Instructional Permit (applicants under 25); under 18 requires parent/guardian co-signature; under 16 requires school attendance certification (DL-300).Sources 245
Supervised driving
60 hours (10 at night)Sources 245
Hold your permit
9 months minimumSources 245
Test languages
17 languagesEnglish, Spanish, American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, YorubaSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
May retest the next business day after the first failure (if an appointment is available)after failing two or more times, must wait at least seven calendar days before retesting.Sources 123
Vision standard
Binocular visionvisual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye; continuous field of vision of at least 140 degreesSources 245

From permit to full license

  • Graduated Licensing System (Rookie Driver): Learner's Instructional Permit (15 y 9 m; supervised by a qualified driver 21+ in the front seat, no cell phone use) -> Provisional License -> full license.
  • Under 18 must hold the permit at least 9 months violation-free, complete the Maryland Driver Education Program (30 h classroom + 6 h behind-the-wheel) and 60 practice hours (10 at night); ages 18 (with diploma/GED) to 24 hold 3 months; 25+ hold 45 days with 14 practice hours (3 at night).
  • Provisional licensees under 18: no non-family passengers under 18 for the first 151 days without a supervising driver, no driving midnight-5 a.m. (limited exceptions), no wireless device use.
  • Provisional license held at least 18 months with a clean record before a full license.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration website: mva.maryland.gov.

Sources

  1. mva.maryland.gov: knowledge tests
  2. mva.maryland.gov: 148
  3. mva.maryland.gov: license id fees
  4. mva.maryland.gov: learners permit
  5. mva.maryland.gov: provisional license

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