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The Maryland permit test is a 25-question MVA knowledge test that you must finish in 20 minutes with a score of 88% or better, which means at least 22 correct answers. This page is for Maryland learners and parents booking that test. It covers what to bring, the fee, retakes, and the rules that apply once you hold a learner’s instructional permit.
Key facts
- Minimum age: 15 years 9 months.
- Test: 25 questions, 20 minutes, 88% to pass, taken at an MVA office after a vision screening.
- Fee: no charge for the test itself; the first permit costs $65 as of November 2026.
- Permit validity: 2 years for a first-time driver.
How many questions are on the Maryland permit test?
The MVA test has 25 questions drawn at random, with a 20-minute limit and a pass mark of 88%. The MVA’s free Online Driver Test Tutorial also uses 25 questions. You can take its untimed version as often as you like, and its timed version lets you practice beating the clock. The MVA says about half of first-time test takers fail, so practice until you pass the timed version with room to spare.
Questions come from the Maryland Driver’s Manual. By law the exam checks your vision, your ability to read and understand traffic signs, and your knowledge of Maryland traffic law and safe driving practices (Transportation Article §16-110).
Can you take the Maryland permit test online?
No at-home test is described on MVA pages. You can fill in the pre-application and book your appointment online through a myMVA account. The vision screening and knowledge test then take place in person at a full-service MVA office. Practice tests are online and free.
What to bring to the MVA
- Proof of identity and lawful status.
- Proof of your Social Security number, such as your Social Security card. A current W-2, SSA-1099, non-SSA-1099 or a pay stub showing your name and number can also work.
- Proof of Maryland residency. The myMVA Online Document Guide lists what is accepted.
- Under 18: a parent or guardian to cosign your application. If you have no parent or guardian, or you are married, an adult employer or other responsible adult can sign.
- Under 16: a copy of your school attendance record. The MVA cannot issue the permit if it shows more than 10 unexcused absences in the previous semester.
- Glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, for the vision screening.
Maryland permit fees (as of November 2026)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test | No charge |
| Learner’s permit, never licensed before (includes later conversion to a license) | $65 |
| Learner’s permit, currently or previously licensed | $45 |
| Corrected permit | $30 |
Fees change. Check the MVA’s License and ID Fees page before you go. The MVA can also charge a fee if you miss a booked exam appointment.
What if you fail the Maryland knowledge test?
After a first failure you may retest the next business day if an appointment is open. After several failures, the MVA makes you wait seven calendar days between attempts.
Rules once you have your Maryland learner’s permit
- Supervisor: at least 21, licensed for at least 3 years for the type of vehicle, and seated beside you.
- Front seat: only the supervisor may sit there while you drive.
- Phones: under 18, no phone use at all while driving, hands-free included, except to call 911. At 18 or older on a permit, no handheld phone.
- Alcohol: under 21, any alcohol in your blood breaks your license restriction.
- Driving alone on a permit carries 5 points.
- A moving violation restarts the 9-month waiting period before your skills test (if you are under 19).
Next steps: driver education, the 60-hour Practice Skills Log and the skills test.
Common questions
How many questions can you miss on the Maryland permit test?
Three. 22 correct out of 25 is 88%.
How long is the Maryland permit test?
You have 20 minutes.
Is the Maryland permit test available in other languages?
The MVA has announced the test in 17 languages, including American Sign Language. Ask your MVA office which versions it offers when you book. If the test is offered in your language, the Driver’s Manual says you must take it at least 5 times before you may use an interpreter. Interpreters must be on the MVA’s approved list; the MVA charges no fee, but you pay the interpreter. Accommodations such as extra time, oral testing, screen readers and sign language support are available for customers with disabilities.
Can I get my permit at 15 in Maryland?
Only once you reach 15 years 9 months.
How long is a Maryland learner’s permit valid?
Two years for a first-time driver. If it runs out before you pass the skills test, you need a new one.
Can I drive in another state on a Maryland permit?
It depends on the other state’s rules. See driving with a permit in another state.
Back to the Maryland learner driver guide. Comparing states? See the permit test by state.
Sources
- Maryland MVA, “Knowledge Tests” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Maryland Online Driver Test Tutorial” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Learner’s Permit” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “License & ID Fees” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Maryland Learner’s Permit Exam Now Available In 17 Languages Including American Sign Language” (mva.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-103” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-103.1” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-105” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-107” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-110” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-111.2” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-402” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §21-1124” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §21-1124.2” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)