Maryland MVA Driving Test: What to Bring and What the Test Includes
What do I need for the Maryland driving test, and what is on it?
For the Maryland MVA driving skills test, make an appointment first. Bring your unexpired learner's permit, the signed certification page of your practice log, a supervising driver who is 21 or older, and a safe vehicle with current plates and registration, proof of insurance and at least a half tank of gas. The test has a course at the testing location and driving on public roads.
Where the Maryland driving test facts come from
The bring list, the vehicle rules and the booking steps come from the Maryland Driver's Manual (DL-002) of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The test format and the log rules come from COMAR 11.17.14.12 to 11.17.14.14. The exam, wait time and practice-hour rules come from Transportation Article section 16-110 and section 16-105. MVA pages on driver education, the provisional license, the learner's permit and the noncommercial driving test add the insurance card and permit details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Maryland MVA (mva.maryland.gov) before you drive.
Who takes the Maryland driving skills test?
Every new driver must pass the driving skills test to move from the learner's permit to a provisional license, the second step of the Maryland Rookie Driver program. Under Maryland law, the exam includes a demonstration that you can exercise reasonable control when you drive a motor vehicle. Before you take the test, you must finish an MVA-approved driver education course: at least 30 hours in the classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel. Your driving school sends proof to the MVA electronically.
What to bring to the Maryland driving test
- Your unexpired Maryland learner's permit.
- The completed certification page of your practice log. It shows your name, your permit number and the signature of a parent, guardian or mentor.
- A supervising driver who comes with you to the test site and has a driver's license with him or her.
- A vehicle that you provide, with current license plates and registration.
- Proof that the vehicle is insured: a paper, plastic or electronic insurance card.
Vehicle checklist for the Maryland driving test
| Item | Rule for the test vehicle |
|---|---|
| Plates and registration | Current plates and current registration |
| Insurance | Proof that the vehicle is insured, on paper or on a phone |
| Condition | Safe to drive |
| Windshield | No cracks or other things that could affect your ability to see |
| Fuel | At least a half tank of gas |
| Vehicle type | A car, station wagon, light truck or other motor vehicle (not a motorcycle) under 26,001 pounds GVWR. You may not use an autocycle. |
Who must come with you to the Maryland driving test?
A supervising driver must come with you to the test site. A supervising driver is at least 21 years old, has held a license for at least three years to drive the same class of vehicle, and sits beside you when you practice. Under Maryland law, this person must have his or her driver's license at the test. Check our free question on choosing a supervising driver before test day.
What is on the Maryland driving skills test?
The noncommercial Class C test has two parts: a special course at the testing location and driving on public roads. The examiner checks the skills that MVA-approved driver education schools teach. Under COMAR 11.17.14.12, the test can include maneuvers on a test course, driving in traffic, a simulated or computer-assisted test, or a combination of these. The best way to prepare is to complete all of your required practice hours.
How to get ready for your Maryland driving test
- 1Finish driver education
Complete the 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours with an MVA-approved school.
- 2Log your practice hours
Under 25, log at least 60 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night. At 25 or older, log at least 14 hours, 3 of them at night. See our guide to Maryland practice hours and the skills log. Then get the certification page signed.
- 3Wait the minimum permit time
At 18 with a high school diploma or its equivalent, or at 19 to 24, hold the permit for 3 months. Other drivers under 19 hold it for 9 months. At 25 or older, hold it for 45 days. A moving violation conviction or probation before judgment can push your date to 9 months after the most recent one.
- 4Book the appointment
Go to mva.maryland.gov and select Make an Appointment, or call 410-768-7000. TTY users can call 1-800-492-4575.
- 5Check the vehicle the day before
Check the plates, registration, insurance card and windshield. Fill the tank to at least half.
- 6Arrive with your papers
Bring the unexpired permit, the signed certification page and your supervising driver.
Key takeaways
- Book the test first at mva.maryland.gov or at 410-768-7000.
- Bring your unexpired learner's permit, the signed log certification page and a supervising driver who is 21 or older.
- Your vehicle needs current plates and registration, proof of insurance, a clear windshield and at least a half tank of gas.
- The test uses a course at the testing location and public roads.
- Next step: review the rules of the road on the free Maryland Class C practice test.
Maryland driving test: common questions
Can my parent sit in the car during the Maryland driving test?
No. Only you and the person who gives the test may be in the vehicle. The one exception is an interpreter that the MVA approves, if you need one. Your parent or other supervising driver must still come with you to the test site.
Can someone else drive me to the driving test?
Yes. Maryland law lets any person who may drive that class of vehicle drive you to the test site and to the point where the examiner starts the test. That person must have a valid driver's license with him or her. The MVA manual says that a supervising driver must come with you to the test site, so ask the MVA which rule applies to your test.
Can I show my insurance card on my phone at the driving test?
Yes. The insurance card can be on paper, plastic or in an electronic format, and you must have access to a current card during the whole test. If you cannot open the digital copy, you must show a paper copy, so print one too. Our free question on how a Maryland driver may carry the insurance card covers this rule.
What happens if I fail the Maryland driving test?
Make a new appointment for the skills test with the MVA. Watch your permit date: a permit for a first license expires 2 years after it is issued. If it expires before you pass, you must apply for a new permit. Our guide to Maryland learner's permit rules explains the permit steps.
What if I feel sick on the day of my driving test?
Reschedule your appointment. The Maryland Driver's Manual tells you to reschedule your test if you are not feeling well. To pick a new date, go to mva.maryland.gov and select Make an Appointment, or call the MVA at 410-768-7000.
Which MVA offices give the Maryland driving test?
The MVA says that all MVA full service branch offices give the non-commercial Class C driving skills test, on a course and on a public road. You cannot just walk in: every driving test needs an appointment. Book your test date and office before you go, and bring your permit, the signed log page and your supervising driver.
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