Apply for a License (Drivers 18+) in Maryland

URGENT: MVA Issues REAL ID License Recall

The Maryland MVA announced a recall on thousands of driver's licenses marked as REAL ID-compliant due to drivers not having filed the required documents to qualify for a REAL ID. Any recalled license is not considered valid and can be confiscated by law enforcement if a driver is pulled over. Affected residents MUST visit an MVA office as soon as possible with appropriate REAL ID documents.

To see if your license is under recall, visit the MVA's REAL ID lookup.

Applying for a New Driver's License in Maryland

In Maryland, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) requires you to complete their graduated licensing system (GLS) in order to obtain your new driver's license.

This is a requirement for new drivers regardless of your age.

Read below for more information about the GLS, how to transfer an out-of-state driver's license, and how to apply for your first driver's license.

MD REAL ID Driver's Licenses

The Maryland MVA began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in place of standard driver’s licenses in 2011*. After October 1, 2021, the REAL ID is the only credential that will allow you to continue to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. For details on the REAL ID Act, visit the MVA's comprehensive guide.

*Immigrants to the U.S. without required citizenship documents are eligible for a non-compliant driver's license. The MVA provides details on eligibility and application.

New to Maryland?

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

You have 60 days to transfer your out-of-state driver's license to a new Maryland driver's license when you move to the state.

The type of Maryland driver's license you can apply for will be determined by how long you've been licensed for:

  • 18 months or longer: Regular driver's license.
  • Less than 18 months: Provisional driver's license.

Regular Driver's License

Q: Can I use my MD license to board an airplane?

A: Yes! Maryland has issued REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards since 2011. That means your driver's license is approved as federal identification for activities like domestic travel and entering federal facilities.

To get a new Maryland driver's license, you must go in person to your local MVA office and:

  • Present your current driver's license OR a certified driving record from your previous state.
  • Pay the fee of $9 per year (your driver's license will be valid from 5 to 8 years).
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Prove your age and identity, with documents such as:
  • Prove your Social Security number, with documents such as:
    • Your Social Security card.
    • A W-2 or 1099 dated within the last 18 months.
    • A pay stub dated within the last 18 months.
  • Provide 2 documents to prove you are a Maryland resident, such as a:
    • Utility bill.
    • Bank statement.
    • Mortgage agreement or rental contract.
      • NOTE: These items must show your name and address, and each document must be from a different company.

The MVA website has an interactive online document guide to help you apply for your new driver's license.

Maryland Provisional Driver's License

If you've been licensed for fewer than 18 months, you must get a provisional driver's license.

Apply for a provisional driver's license by visiting a Maryland MVA branch office in person and:

  • Present your current out-of-state driver's license OR certified driving record.
  • Pay the $30 fee.
  • Pass the vision screening.
  • Pass the driving test.
  • You must schedule the driving skills test in advance using the MVA's central scheduling system.
  • Provide proof of identity and age; e.g.:
    • Valid birth certificate.
    • Current U.S. passport.
    • Permanent resident card.
  • Provide your Social Security number, with proof such as:
    • Your Social Security card.
    • A W-2 (must be from within the last 18 months).
    • A paystub dated within the last 18 months.
  • Submit 2 documents proving your Maryland residency that show your name and address, such as:
    • A utility bill.
    • Your bank statement.
    • Your rental contract or mortgage agreement.
      • Each document needs to have been issued by a different company.

See the Motor Vehicle Administration's website for a guide to acceptable documents.

Provisional Driver's License Period

You must hold your provisional driver's license for a specified period of time before you can obtain your full driver's license:

  • 18 months, if you've had a driver's license for less than 18 months.
  • 12 months, if you've had a driver's license for at least 6 to 12 months.
  • 6 months, if you've had a driver's license for at least 12 to 18 months.

If you are convicted of a moving violation during this time, your provisional period starts over for 18 months.

See “Apply for a MD Driver's License" below for information about how to transition to a full driver's license.

Types of Maryland Driver's Licenses

The Maryland MVA offers several types of non-commercial driver's licenses:

  • Class A: Allows you to drive a non-commercial vehicle of any weight (except motorcycles).
  • Class B: Allows you to drive any non-commercial vehicle or combination of vehicles (except motorcycles and tractor-trailer combinations).
  • Class C: Commonly known as a regular driver's license. Allows you to drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a total weight of less than 26,001 lbs.
  • Class M: Allows you to operate a motorcycle. See our page, Motorcycle License in Maryland for more information.

Your driver's license will be valid for 5 to 8 years.

For details about commercial driver's licenses, see our page on Applying for a New CDL in Maryland.

New Driver's License Eligibility

If you're a new driver, you must participate in the Maryland MVA's rookie driver program, which has several stages:

  • Learner's permit.
  • Provisional license.
  • Full driver's license.

Maryland Learner's Permit

You can apply for a learner's permit in person at your local MVA branch. You'll need:

  • Payment for the $50 fee (includes provisional and full driver's license conversion).
  • To pass the vision screening.
  • To pass the written permit test.
  • Proof of your age and identity, such as your:
    • Birth certificate (original or certified copy).
    • U.S. passport.
    • Permanent resident card.
  • Proof of your Social Security number, such as:
    • Your Social Security card.
    • A W-2 dated within the last 18 months.
    • A paystub dated within the last 18 months.
  • 2 documents to prove you are a Maryland resident, such as a:
    • Utility bill.
    • Bank statement.
    • Mortgage agreement or rental contract.
      • NOTE: These items must show your name and address, and each document must be from a different company.

The Maryland MVA website has a complete guide to acceptable documents for new driver's license applicants.

To help you prepare for the written test the MVA offers an Online Driving Tutorial. If you want to ensure passing on your first try, we suggest using an online practice test from our certified partner.

Learner's Permit Restrictions

With your learner's permit, you can drive ONLY while supervised by a licensed driver who:

  • Is at least 21 years old.
  • Has had their driver's license for at least 3 years.
  • Is sitting next to you.

Driver's Ed and Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

If you're 25 years old or older, you can move on to your provisional driver's license once you:

If you're under 25 years old, see our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Maryland page for learner's permit requirements.

Maryland Provisional Driver's License

If you're under 25 years old, you will have different requirements to fulfill before moving on to your provisional driver's license. See our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Maryland page.

If you're 25 years old or older, you will be eligible for a provisional driver's license once you:

  • Have held your learner's permit for 45 days.
  • Have completed Driver's Ed.
  • Have completed at least 14 hours of driving practice, including 3 hours at night.
  • Pass the driving test.

If you receive any traffic convictions while you have your provisional driver's license you will receive the following penalties:

  • Mandatory completion of a driver improvement class: 1st conviction.
  • Driver's license suspension for 30 days: 2nd conviction.
  • Driver's license suspension for 180 days: 3rd conviction (and subsequent convictions).

Apply for a New Provisional Driver's License

You must apply for a provisional license in person at an Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration branch office.

First, you have to schedule your driving skills test in advance using the MVA's Central Scheduling System.

When you go to the Maryland MVA office, you'll need:

Once you've held your provisional driver's license for 18 months, it will be automatically converted to a full driver's license. During this time you must not receive any moving violation convictions. If you are under 18 years old your license will still have restrictions.

New Maryland Driver's License

Your provisional license will automatically become a full driver's license once you've held it for 18 months.

NOTE: If you are under 21 years old, you must have no alcohol convictions to be eligible for a full driver's license. If you receive any moving violation convictions while you have your provisional driver's license, your waiting period of 18 months will be re-started.

The Maryland MVA will mail you an update card that shows you are a fully licensed driver. Carry the card with your provisional driver's license.

When your provisional driver's license expires, you will need to renew your driver's license and receive a regular Maryland driver's license.

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