How To Get A Full Driver's License In Maryland State

When you have successfully completed all of the requirements of the provisional license and held the license for the minimum time period required, the MVA will automatically convert your license to full driving privileges. An attachment card indicating the conversion will be mailed to you and should be carried with the provisional license. When you renew your license, you will receive a new one and no longer require the attachment.

Steps In Getting The Full Driver's License

While some states' application processes can be incredibly complicated, Maryland's application process is rigorous but simple. It is divided into three sections: learner's permit, provisional driver's license, and full driver's license.

Learner's Permit

In Maryland, regardless of age, every first-time driver must start with a learner's permit. You can drive with a permit under the supervision of a licensed driver. To obtain your permit, you must pass the vision test, which assesses your visual acuity, as well as the written knowledge test, which tests your knowledge of traffic rules and signs. The knowledge test has 25 questions, and you must answer 22 of them correctly to pass. The length of time you must hold your permit before moving on to the next stage, as well as the number of practice hours you must complete, will be determined by your age.
  • If you are under the age of 18, you must hold your permit for at least 9 months without any traffic violations and accumulate 60 hours of practice driving, at least 10 of which must be at night.
  • If you are between the ages of 19 and 24 (or 18 if you have completed high school), you must hold your permit for at least three months without any traffic violations and accumulate 60 hours of practice driving, including at least ten hours at night.
  • If you are 25 or older, you only need to keep your permit for 45 days without committing any traffic offenses. You must have 14 hours of driving practice, including at least three at night.

Provisional Driver’s License

You can apply for a provisional driver's license once you have completed the requirements during your instructional period. To be eligible, you must first:
  • Complete a Maryland Driver's Education Program successfully.
  • Hold your instructional permit for the required time period, with no traffic violations.
  • Fill out and sign a Practice and Skills log.
  • Have a current and valid permit.

Skill Driving Test

The Driving Skills test lasts approximately 20 minutes and assesses your knowledge of a vehicle, Maryland laws, and safe driving regulations. You must provide your own vehicle as well as proof of driver's insurance.

Restrictions

With a provisional license, you can drive unsupervised during the day, but there are some restrictions. If you are under the age of 21, you are not permitted to drive with ANY amount of alcohol in your system. Impaired driving laws apply to older drivers as well.
  • Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive with non-family members under the age of 18 unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver. This restriction is only in effect for the first 151 days if you have no violations on your record.
  • Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a qualified licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The only exceptions are if you are driving to work, participating in an official school activity, an organized volunteer program, or taking part in an athletic event or related training session. After the age of 18, you can drive at any time.
  • Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use wireless communication devices while driving. Not even hands-free versions.
  • You and your passengers, regardless of age or relationship, must always wear a safety belt or harness.

Special Provisions From Another State or County

Drivers with less than 18 months of experience and a license from another state or country are subject to special rules, regardless of age. The provisional license must be held for the minimum time periods specified below and must be free of moving violations:
  • Drivers who have been licensed for less than 6 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 18 months and be free of convictions.
  • Drivers who have been licensed for 6 to 12 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 12 months and be free of convictions.
  • Drivers who were previously licensed between the ages of 12 and 18 months must hold a Maryland provisional license for 6 months and be free of convictions.
If you are convicted of a moving violation, regardless of your age or experience, you must begin an 18-month period with no further moving violations. When the 18-month period is up, you are eligible to convert to a full driver's license.

Maryland's Full Driver's License

When you have held your provisional license without a violation for 18 months, it will automatically convert to an unrestricted MD driver's license. You will be mailed a card stating this, and you must keep it with your license at all times. When you renew your license, you will receive a proper unrestricted license. If you are convicted of a traffic violation, the 18-month countdown begins on the date of the court hearing or the day any license suspensions end.

Out-of-State License

You will not be required to downgrade to a provisional license if you have more than 18 months of driving experience with an out-of-state license. To obtain an unrestricted license, anyone with less than 18 months of experience must first complete the following provisional license periods (without traffic violations).
  • If you had an out-of-state license for less than 6 months, you must drive with a provisional license for 18 months if you have not been convicted of a crime.
  • If you had an out-of-state license for 6 to 12 months, you must hold a provisional license for a period of 12 months without a conviction.
  • If you had an out-of-state license for 12 to 18 months, you must keep your provisional license for 6 months without a conviction.
  • If you are convicted of a traffic violation, you must drive for another 18 months without a conviction before you can get your unrestricted license.
In Maryland, the process of obtaining a driver's license is lengthy. If you stick to the program and practice safe driving, you'll have your license in no time!