All About Provisional Driver's License In Maryland State
Before they can experience the freedom of the open road, Maryland drivers must first obtain an instruction permit, followed by a provisional license.
To obtain a provisional driver's license in Maryland, you must meet the following requirements: you must be at least sixteen years and six months old. Applicants must complete a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration-certified and authorized standardized driving education course.
Learn more about Maryland's driver's license requirements, including the various restrictions and procedures involved.
Maryland Rookie Driver Licensing System
According to Maryland law, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration can only issue a learner's permit to those who are 15 years and 9 months old, a provisional license to those who are 16 years and 6 months old, and a license to those who are 18 years and 6 months old.
The Instructional Permit
A Maryland resident can obtain an instruction permit at 15 and 9 months. For instruction permit approval, they must submit an application, application fee, and proof of identification to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office. A parent or guardian must sign the application, and applicants under 16 must provide proof of private or public school attendance. The MVA may deny the permit if the applicant has more than ten unexplained school absences on their record. The applicant must pass a vision and written exams covering local traffic laws.
The driver is only permitted to operate a vehicle under the supervision of a qualified adult once the MVA issues the permit. Adults over 21 who have held a driver's license for at least three years are eligible.
The Provisional Driving Permit
The provisional driver's license is the first step toward obtaining a full one. Other than being a new driver, there are times when you will need to apply for a provisional license.
- New Drivers: Anyone who has obtained and completed all of the requirements for a Type 1 Learner's Permit.
- Out-of-State Driver: If you moved to Maryland from another state and have had your driver's license for less than 18 months.
- Out-of-Country Driver: If you moved to Maryland from another country and have only been driving for 18 months.
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration can help you get a provisional license. This website contains all the information you need, including the locations of every MVA office in the state.
Applying For Provisional Driver's License
Teens in Maryland can apply for a provisional license when they reach the age of 16 and a half. They must supply the following:
- A driving log with at least 60 hours of supervised driving time. Ten hours must be completed at night, and a parent or guardian must sign the log book.
- Proof of completion of a driver education course that has been approved. The certificate must show that the driver spent 30 hours in class and six hours driving with a certified instructor.
The applicant must complete and pass the MVA's road test. The road test typically consists of a controlled driving environment in which the driver is tested on their ability to follow basic traffic signs, complete a three-point turn, parallel park, and drive safely in reverse.
From 5 a.m., a driver with a provisional license can drive alone to midnight. Drivers with a provisional license cannot transport any non-family member passenger under 18 without adult supervision for the year's first half. According to the MVA, new drivers who violate the provisional license restrictions risk losing their license until they reach the age of 18.
The Practice Skill Log
For any provisional license applicant, the practice skills log is a document that details 60 hours of supervised driving. To complete the practice skills log, a qualified licensed driver must do the required supervised driving. This could be a parent, guardian, or qualified driving instructor.
Ten hours of the 60 hours must be completed at night. New drivers should practice driving at night, at dawn, and at dusk. These ten hours must be recorded between thirty minutes before sunset and thirty minutes after sunrise.
Rules On Maryland Provisional License
A provisional license has some rules and restrictions you should be aware of.
- If you are under the age of 18, there is a strict driving curfew in effect - provisional license holders under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. While driving, you are prohibited from using your cell phone, including hands-free devices. Furthermore, you are not permitted to drive with non-family members under 18 unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver, but this restriction is lifted after 151 days if you have no violations on your record.
- 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.
- Finally, the driver and passengers must always wear a safety belt or harness.
Exceptions
The restrictions are subject to five exceptions.
- The driver is on his way to, from, or performing official work duties.
- The driver is on their way to or from an official school activity.
- The driver is on his way to or from an organized volunteer program.
- The driver is on their way to or from an athletic event or training session.
- The driver is accompanied by a qualified licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least three years of driving experience.
When you receive your full Maryland license, these rules and restrictions will be lifted.
Moving Violations
Suppose you are convicted of a moving violation while driving with a Maryland provisional license. In that case, you will face additional sanctions on your license and the usual fines and penalties. Furthermore, the waiting period before receiving your full driver's license will be reset.
These are the penalties that can be imposed for each moving violation.
- If you are convicted of your first moving violation, you will be required to take a driver improvement course.
- If you are convicted of a second moving violation, your license will be suspended for 30 days.
- If you are convicted of your third Moving Violation, your license will be suspended for 180 days, and, depending on the severity of the violation, it may be revoked. Your license may be revoked if you receive an additional violation after your third conviction.
The Expiration Of Provisional License
The MD provisional license will expire automatically based on your age.
- Drivers Under 21: Your license will expire 60 days after your 21st birthday.
- Drivers Over 21: Your license will expire 8 years after it is issued on your birthday.
In Maryland, you must drive with a provisional license for at least 18 months without receiving any moving violations. If you receive a moving violation, your 18 months will reset. Your license will be automatically upgraded after the 18 months have been completed.
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