Photo: >Author G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Maryland driving test, which the MVA calls the behind-the-wheel or driver skills test, has two parts: a closed course and a drive on public roads. You must pass the closed course before you go out on the road. This page is for Maryland permit holders getting ready for the test. It explains who can book it, what the car needs, what to bring, and what happens if you fail.
Are you eligible to take the Maryland skills test?
Check all three before you book (Transportation Article §16-105(d)):
| Your age | Minimum permit time | Driver education | Logged practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 19 | 9 months from the permit date or your last moving violation, whichever is later | 30 hours classroom + 6 hours behind the wheel | 60 hours, 10 at night |
| 18 with a diploma or equivalent, or 19 to 24 | 3 months from the permit date, or 9 months after your last moving violation, whichever is later | 30 + 6 hours | 60 hours, 10 at night |
| 25 or older, no moving violations | 45 days | 30 + 6 hours | 14 hours, 3 at night |
| 25 or older, with a moving violation | 9 months after the most recent violation | 30 + 6 hours | 14 hours, 3 at night |
Under 16 years 6 months, you cannot get a provisional license, whatever your permit date. Details: driver education and the Practice Skills Log.
Test day checklist: what to bring
- Your unexpired Maryland learner’s permit.
- The completed, signed Practice Skills Log and its certification page.
- The vehicle’s registration and proof of insurance.
- A supervising driver with a valid license. The MVA asks them to stay until the examiner has checked their license.
- Any identity or residency documents listed when you booked or in the myMVA Online Document Guide.
Before the test starts, you and the responsible adult sign an MVA “Certification of Insurance & Authorization to Operate Vehicle” form.
Maryland test vehicle requirements
You supply the car. The MVA can refuse to test you if the car is not ready. It needs:
- Working lights, brakes, wipers, heater, defroster, horn and mirrors.
- No dashboard warning lights on, such as Check Engine or ABS or brake warnings.
- Properly inflated tires with enough tread.
- At least half a tank of gas.
- Maryland plates fixed securely on the front and rear.
Only you and the examiner may be in the car during the test, plus an MVA-approved interpreter if you need one. An automatic parking feature may not be used during the test. Back-up cameras and audio back-up warnings are allowed. You may not take the test in an autocycle (§16-110).
What happens during the Maryland driving test
- Paperwork and vehicle check. The examiner checks your documents and the car.
- Closed course. Low-speed control maneuvers away from traffic. The December 2025 Maryland Driver’s Manual lists pull-in parking and back-in parking in a 10 by 20 foot space, and a three-point turn in a 16 by 20 foot space. Parallel parking is no longer required on the test. Another paragraph of the same manual still mentions a reverse two-point turn, so confirm the current list with the MVA when you book and practice all of them.
- Road drive. Only after you pass the closed course. The examiner watches how you handle normal traffic: signaling, observation, lane position, speed, stops and right of way.
What the examiner looks for
- Full stops at stop signs and before turning right on red. Learn the right-on-red rules.
- Right of way at intersections and four-way stops, and for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Observation: mirror and over-the-shoulder checks before you pull out, change lanes or reverse.
- Speed control: at or under the limit and right for conditions. See the basic speed law.
- Smooth control in tight spaces without hitting curbs or cones.
Ask the MVA if you want the full list of automatic failures for the Class C test. Common mistakes are covered in why people fail the driving test.
If you fail the Maryland skills test
You book a new appointment. The MVA’s Behind-the-Wheel Tests page says to wait at least one business day before retesting. Its separate Class C special instructions say that after a first or second failed attempt, you wait at least 7 days between each later test. Check which rule applies to you when you rebook.
After you pass
You surrender your permit and get a provisional license. It carries night, passenger, seat belt and phone restrictions while you are under 18. See Maryland provisional license rules.
Common questions
Does the Maryland driving test have parallel parking?
No. The December 2025 Driver’s Manual says parallel parking is no longer required, although driver education still teaches it. You are tested on pull-in parking, back-in parking and a three-point turn instead. See also road tests by state.
Can I use a driving school car for the Maryland test?
The law only requires you to provide a suitable vehicle. Whatever car you bring must meet the checklist above, with registration and insurance papers.
Who can drive me to the test?
Any licensed driver can drive you there. If you drive yourself on your permit, a qualified supervisor (21 or older, licensed for 3 years) must be with you.
Can I use a backup camera?
Yes. Back-up cameras and audio warnings are allowed, but automatic parking is not.
Do I need the log if I am 25 or older?
Yes. You need 14 logged hours, 3 of them at night, plus driver education.
Back to the Maryland learner driver guide.
Sources
- Maryland MVA, “Behind-the-Wheel Tests” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Behind the Wheel Drivers Test Special Instructions” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Provisional Driver’s License” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-103” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-105” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-110” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-111” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)