Driving Tests

Moving to Maryland? Transfer Your Driver’s License in 60 Days

informational·how to guide·Published May 12, 2026

How long do I have to get a Maryland license after I move?

You have 60 days after you become a Maryland resident to get a Maryland driver’s license, and 30 days to transfer a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Make a “New to Maryland” appointment in myMVA, bring original documents, pass a vision screening and surrender your old license. The MVA says that failure to meet the deadline may result in penalties.

Where the Maryland new resident facts come from

The deadlines, exchange rules and document list come from the MVA pages for new Maryland residents and for getting a Maryland driver’s license or ID card. The 60-day rule for a license from your former state and the military exemption are in Maryland Transportation Article § 16-102. The vision rules come from the MVA Vision Tests & Requirements page, the MVA Maryland Driver’s License page and the Maryland Driver’s Manual. The test rules come from Transportation Article § 16-110 and COMAR 11.17.14.04, the provisional periods from § 16-111 and the MVA provisional license page, and the one-license rule from § 16-111.1. These facts are current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Maryland MVA (mva.maryland.gov) before you drive.

How to transfer your license to Maryland

1
Make a “New to Maryland” appointment
In myMVA, choose the appointment type that fits you, such as “Driver's License Only” or “Driver's License, Title, and Registration”. One visit can cover your license and your vehicle title and registration.
2
Check that your license can be exchanged
Compare your license with the table below before you go. A license that cannot be exchanged needs a different path, such as the full set of tests or a learner’s permit.
3
Fill out the Pre-Application
The MVA Pre-Application helps you gather the information and documents that you must bring to the appointment.
4
Collect your original documents
Bring originals only. The MVA does not accept copies, scans or photocopies. The list is in the documents section below.
5
Plan your vision screening
Get it from MVA staff at your appointment, or from your eye doctor before the visit. The vision section below explains both options.
6
Surrender your old license
At the appointment, you give the MVA your current license in exchange for the Maryland license.

Which out-of-state licenses can you exchange in Maryland?

Which out-of-state licenses can you exchange in Maryland?
Your license	Can you exchange it?	What happens
Valid U.S. driver’s license	Yes	You exchange it for a Maryland license at your appointment
Valid U.S. license, licensed for less than 18 months in all	Yes	You get a Maryland provisional license first
U.S. license that expired within the past 12 months	Yes	You exchange it for a Maryland license
U.S. license that expired more than 12 months ago	No	You must pass the knowledge test, skills test and vision test
Suspended out-of-state license	No	The MVA does not exchange it
Out-of-state learner’s permit	No	It cannot become a Maryland learner’s permit
You never had a driver’s license	No	You apply for a Maryland learner’s permit

Do I have to take a test to get a Maryland license?

A valid out-of-state license is on the MVA list of licenses that you can exchange. Maryland regulation COMAR 11.17.14.04 lists a valid out-of-state license as an exception to the Maryland knowledge test, and Maryland law lets the MVA waive any license exam for a valid license from another state.
The vision screening still applies: the law lets the MVA waive it only for a corrected license. If your license expired more than 12 months ago, you must pass the knowledge test, the skills test and the vision test.

What documents do I bring to the MVA?

Your current out-of-state driver’s license. Without the card, bring a certified driving record from the licensing agency that is not more than 30 days old.
Proof of age and identity, for example a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a Permanent Resident Card or a Certificate of Naturalization.
One proof of your Social Security number, such as your original Social Security card, a W-2 form or pay stub with your name and full number, or an SSA-1099.
Two proofs of Maryland residency with your name and Maryland address, for example a residential rental contract, mail from your utility about your account, a credit card statement, or a Maryland vehicle registration card or title. The name must match your proof of age and identity.
If you are under 18: proof of a parental relationship or that you are a dependent, such as a tax return or a health insurance card.
Not sure what fits your case? The myMVA Document Selector tool helps you choose.

How does the Maryland vision screening work?

You must pass a vision screening within the previous 24 months. MVA staff can check your vision at your appointment. An authorized MVA vision certification provider can send your eye exam results directly to the MVA, and other eye doctors can complete the MVA vision screening form.
An unrestricted license without corrective lenses needs vision in both eyes, 20/40 or better in each eye and a continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees. If you need glasses or contacts to meet the standard, you may get a restricted license and must always wear them when you drive. Try our free question on following a vision restriction.

How long do you hold a Maryland provisional license after a move?

How long do you hold a Maryland provisional license after a move?
How long you were licensed	What you get in Maryland	Minimum time on the provisional license
Less than 6 months	Provisional license	At least 18 months
6 months to less than 12 months	Provisional license	At least 12 months
12 months to less than 18 months	Provisional license	At least 6 months
18 months or more	Maryland driver’s license	None: the MVA may skip the permit and the provisional license

Does the provisional license apply to adults who move to Maryland?

Yes. These provisional periods apply regardless of age to drivers with less than 18 months of experience on a license from another state or country. The provisional license must stay free of moving violation convictions. A conviction for a moving violation restarts an 18-month period with no more moving violations.
Some provisional limits depend on your age. For the full list, see our guide to Maryland provisional license rules.

Which special rule fits your situation?

You are on active duty in the uniformed services, or you are a dependent of a member

Maryland law (Transportation Article § 16-102) does not require a Maryland license while you carry a license from your state of domicile that covers the class of vehicle you drive.

Your license is from another country

The exchange rules in this guide are for U.S. licenses. See our guide to exchanging a foreign driver’s license in Maryland and the MVA International Movers page.

A family member needs a Maryland ID card, not a license

A valid out-of-state U.S. ID card can be exchanged for a Maryland ID card. An expired out-of-state ID card cannot be exchanged.

Key takeaways

Get your Maryland license within 60 days of becoming a resident. Transfer a CDL within 30 days.
Book a “New to Maryland” appointment in myMVA. One visit can cover your license, title and registration.
Bring originals: your license, proof of age and identity, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Maryland residency.
If you were licensed less than 18 months, you start with a Maryland provisional license. The minimum time is 6 to 18 months, based on your experience.
Next step: review Maryland road rules on the free Maryland Class C practice test.

Moving to Maryland: common questions

Can I drive on my old license after I move to Maryland?

Yes, for a short time. Maryland law (Transportation Article § 16-102) lets a new resident drive during the first 60 days of residency with a valid license from the former state. The license must cover the class of vehicle that you drive, and you must be at least the age that Maryland requires for that class. After 60 days, you need a Maryland license.

Does the 60-day deadline also apply to my car title and registration?

Yes. The MVA says that you must get your Maryland driver’s license and your Maryland vehicle title and registration within 60 days of becoming a Maryland resident. In myMVA, choose the “Driver's License, Title, and Registration” appointment to take care of all three in one visit.

Can I keep my old state license too?

No. Maryland law allows only one current driver’s license for each person, and the MVA must take any license from another jurisdiction before it issues yours. You give up your out-of-state license at the appointment. For questions about your case, call the MVA Customer Service Center at 410-768-7000.

Can I transfer my out-of-state license to Maryland online?

You start online, but you finish at an MVA branch. Schedule your appointment online with the MVA appointment scheduler, at the MVA branch that is convenient for you, and fill out the MVA Pre-Application to gather your documents. At the appointment, you show your original documents and surrender your old license in exchange for the Maryland license.