New drivers who were issued a Type I Learner's Permit through Maryland's Rookie Driver program are required to obtain a provisional license before receiving a full driver's license.  Persons with a driver's license issued by another state or another country are also required to obtain a provisional License if they have less than 18 months driving experience.  Descriptions of the application process are provided below for:

• New driver with a Type I Learner's Permit
• Inexperienced driver (less than 18 months) with an out-of-state license
• Inexperienced driver (less than 18 months) with an out-of-country 

The provisional license you receive will expire 60 days after your 21st birthday, or if you are 21 years of age or older, 8 years after the license is issued on the month and day of your birth.  While you are driving with a provisional license and are less than 18 years of age, the following restrictions apply:

• If you drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., you must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 years of age with at least 3 years driving experience unless you are driving:
  • To, from, or during employment;
  • To or from a school class or an official school activity;
  • To or from an organized volunteer program; or
  • To or from participation in an athletic event or related training session.
• For the first 151 days (5 months) that you have the provisional license, you cannot transport passengers less than 18 years of age;
  • Unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver; or
  • Unless all of the passengers are directly related family members (spouse, daughter/son, step-daughter/step-son, sister/brother, step-sister/step-brother) or other family members who live at the same address.
• You cannot use any wireless communication device (including cell phone) except to make an emergency 911 call.
• All of your passengers must wear proper restraints (e.g., seat belt).

Once you become 18 years of age, these restrictions no longer apply.

Notes:

1. The MVA will ONLY accept a Marriage Certificate that has been certified and issued by that jurisdictions proper government authority such as their Department of Vital Records/Statistics or their local or state court system.  A marriage license signed by a minister or other authorized officiant and issued by a church, etc. is a keepsake document and is NOT an official marriage document.  The local or state government authority will issue a marriage license granting the couple permission to get married by an authorized officiant.  The minister/officiant who solemnizes the marriage will complete and sign the actual marriage license that was issued by the proper government authority and then return it to the proper government authority who will verify and record the marriage/civil union in their files.  The married couple may then obtain a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate from this authority.
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3. Effective January 1, 2013 the State of Maryland will permit Same-Sex marriages to be performed in Maryland and the MVA will recognize these marriages/civil unions.  Customers who have entered into a same-sex marriage and present the necessary documentation will be processed the same as customers of opposite genders. The MVA will also continue to recognize a same-sex marriage that was performed in another jurisdiction that has passed and enacted legislation that permits same-sex marriages to be performed in their jurisdiction. 
4. Customers must also be sure to change their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) prior to coming to the MVA.  The license, learner’s permit or ID card will not be issued if the new desired name change does not match the SSA records and is not automatically verified by the SSA files.  It may take a minimum of 48 hours or longer for the SSA to update their records with your name change. Customers may obtain a Change of Address form (VR-154) at any MVA office, online or the form may be mailed to you.  To have the form mailed, please call the MVA Customer Service Center at 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY for the Hearing Impaired.
    

Fees:

• There is no additional fee for the provisional license if you are a new driver in the Rookie Driver program and have a valid learner's permit.
• There is a fee for the provisional license if you have a license from another state or another country.

Contact Information:

MVA
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:

What is the procedure for obtaining a provisional license if I have a Type I Learner's Permit through the MVA's Rookie Driver Program?

Note:   Effective October 1, 2012 an individual at least 25 years old who holds a (Graduated Licensing System - GLS) learner’s permit and has not been convicted of, or granted Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for a moving violation, is eligible to take a skills driving test after holding this permit for a minimum of 45 days if they:

1. Have completed a Maryland MVA approved standardized driver education program course.
2. Have completed an additional minimum of at least 14 hours of supervised behind the wheel driving (3 hours of which must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise) and have an eligible supervising driver complete a Practice Skills log and certification page .

Note:

1. If the applicant has been convicted of or given a PBJ for a moving violation, they are required to hold the permit for a minimum of 9 months following the most recent date the individual was convicted of, or granted a PBJ for a moving violation, and meet the rest of the above mentioned GLS requirements before they are eligible to take a driving skills test.
2. If an applicant is under 25 years old when they obtain their first GLS learner’s permit and then turns 25 afterwards, the MVA will permit the applicant to take a driving skills test if they have held the permit at least 45 days (the 45 days may include the days the applicant held the permit before they turned 25 as well as afterwards), they have completed at least 14 hours of supervised driving as described above as well as the required driver’s education program and have an eligible supervising driver complete a Practice Skills Log and certification page for them.
3. If the applicant has been convicted of or given a PBJ for a moving violation, they are required to hold them permit for a minimum of 9 months following the most recent date the individual was convicted of, or granted a PBJ for a moving violation, and meet the rest of the above mentioned GLS requirements before they are eligible to take a driving skills test.

You must first drive with the learner's permit "conviction-free" for a minimum of 9 months before applying for a provisional license.  "Conviction-free" means that you have not received Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for or been convicted of a moving violation.  Also your permit must not have been suspended or revoked.
Note:  If your driving privilege is suspended or revoked, the time period that it is suspended or revoked does not count toward the minimum nine (9) month waiting period.

During the time that you are driving with the learner's permit, a supervising driver must accompany you and complete a Practice and Skills Log( (included in the Rookie Driver Skills Log and Practice Guide) showing the details of each practice driving session.  At least 60 hours of practice driving must be documented, 10 of which are at night (beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise).  If you are applying for a class M (motorcycle) license and are less than 18 years of age, you must take the Basic Rider course offered though the MVA's Motorcycle Safety Program, in addition to completing the Practice and Skills Log.

In addition, you must complete a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) approved certified Driver’s Education Course consisting of a minimum of 30-hours classroom instruction and 6-hours behind the wheel instruction training.  The Maryland driving school will electronically submit verification of completion to the MVA.  You can take this course at any time prior to taking your skills test, but you must have a valid learner’s permit to take the course.  New drivers must also present the completed skills practice log and completed certification page along with their unexpired Maryland learner’s instructional permit.  Note:  if you are applying for a class M (motorcycle) license and this will be your first (GLS) license, you must still complete the standardized driver’s education course that class C applicants are required to complete.

Note:  Out-of-State Driver's Education certificates certificates are not typically accepted by the MVA.  Currently, the MVA has only approved certain specific certificates issues by the Delaware Board of Education, that physically state that the certificate has been Approved by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.  No other out-of-state certificates are currently accepted 

When you have completed all of these requirements, you are ready to take your driving test at a full service MVA branch office.  See Skills Test for details about what you need to bring.  Upon successful completion of your skills test, your provisional license will be issued.  You must hold the provisional license, "conviction-free" of a moving violation, for at least 18 months before you can apply for a full Maryland Driver's License.

Note:  If your learner's permit expires or you are not able to complete/pass the required skills tests before it expires, you will be required to reapply for a new permit, pass the Vision and Knowledge tests and pay the required fees.  If you are a minor you will need to have your parent/guardian co-sign the application.

What is the procedure for obtaining a provisional license if I have a driver's license issued by another state and have held it for less than 18 months?

First, gather the documents that you will need to present to the MVA:

• Your driver's license or proof of your licensure;
• Proof of your age
  • If you need a class B, C or M license - you must be at least 16 years, 6 months
  • If you need a class A license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months;
• Proof of your identity and residency;
• Glasses or contact lenses if needed, or a completed and signed Vision Screening Form (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information);
• Payment for the provisional license (cash, check, American Express, MasterCard or Visa credit card).

Second, visit any MVA full-service branch office; no appointment is needed.  If you are less than 18 years old, a parent, step-parent or legal guardian must accompany you and sign the DLS application.  An MVA Customer Agent in the office will:

• Take your photograph.  See note below for MVA's Photo Guidelines;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form; and
• Have you sign the license application.  See MVA Signature Guidelines.
• Verify that you need a provisional license and meet all eligibility requirements.

MVA Signature Guidelines:

Each applicant for an MVA License, Learner’s Permit, Moped Permit or Identification Card MUST sign their usual signature (actual legal name only) on the MVA product application certifying that the statements made in it are true.  The usual signature must consist of their “Actual Legal Name” and may NOT contain additional titles, verbiage, information or anything else such as:

     1). Mr. or Mrs.  etc.

     2). Dr. or Esquire or Reverend/Pastor, etc.

     3). Nick Names that are not a shortened version of the first name as noted below.

     4). Artwork, Characters, Symbols or additional Marks of any kind such as: Smiley Faces, Flowers, etc.

     5). Additional Names not verified on/by their ID documents (or approved by the MVA) or additional  

          Comments or Notes, etc.

 Note:  The applicant may sign a shortened version of their first name instead of using the full name such as:

              a). “Nick” for Nicholas

              b). “Bob” for Robert

              c). “Sam” for Samantha

The MVA agent and or supervisor may require the applicant to resign the application if they sign the application using anything other than their actual legal name.  The MVA reserves the right to refuse the issuance of the MVA product if the applicant fails to sign or refuses to sign the application using their actual legal name as described above.

  MVA Photo Guidelines:  Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.

The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:

1). Face Paint

2). Cosmetics

3). Cosmetic Contacts

4). Facial Contortions

5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing

6). Hands, etc.

If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.

If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.

References:

1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires.

When you are finished, the MVA Customer Agent will collect your current driver's license and then issue your provisional license.

What is the procedure for obtaining a provisional license if I have a driver's license issued by another country and have held it for less than 18 months?

First, gather the documents that you will need to present to the MVA:

• Your driver's license, or proof of your licensure;
• Proof of your age
  • If you need a class B, C or M license - you must be at least 16 years, 6 months
  • If you need a class A license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months;
• Proof of your identity and residency - If you are an exchange student or from another country, you may first have to meet with an MVA Document Examiner to validate the documents proving your identity;
• Glasses or contact lenses if needed, or a completed and signed Vision Screening Form (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information);
• 3 Hour Alcohol and Drug Program completion certification from an approved provider (completed in Maryland);
• Payment for the provisional license (cash, check, American Express or MasterCard or Visa credit card).

Second, visit any MVA full-service branch office; no appointment is needed.  If you are less than 18 years old, a parent, step-parent or legal guardian must accompany you and sign the DLS application.  An MVA Customer Agent in the office will:

• Take your photograph.  See MVA's Photo Guidelines;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form; and
• Have you sign the license application.  See MVA Signature Guidelines.
• Verify that you need a provisional license and meet all eligibility requirements.

After you complete these steps, you will be given a test of your driving knowledge, if required.  Upon successful completion of the law test, you will be directed back to an MVA Customer Agent to determine if a skills test is required.

Upon successful completion of your skills test, your provisional license will be issued.

Notes:   

1. If you are not currently licensed by one if the below countries or U.S. Territories, you may be required to take a skills driving test.  If you have a learner's permit you will be required to schedule a skills test appointment once you have passed the Vision and Knowledge tests. All other customers are accepted on a walk-in basis only.  Click here for additional information on scheduling a test appointment or you may call 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY for Hearing Impaired for assistance. You must provide a safe test vehicle for the driving test.  If this vehicle is a rental vehicle your name MUST appear on the rental contract as an approved driver of that vehicle or the test will be cancelled and you will need to set up another test appointment date.
2. Knowledge and skills test are NOT required if you are converting/transferring a valid driver's license, or a license that has been expired less than one (1) year and is issued by one of the following countries or U.S. Territories:

• Countries:  Canada, Yukon Territory, or France
• U.S. Territories:  American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and the Panama Canal Zone if you were born prior to September 30, 1979.
• Countries:  Republic of Korea (South), and the Federal Republic of Germany must be valid, NOT EXPIRED or "ALL" tests (Vision, Knowledge & Skills) are required.

Notes:

1. France:  License must be Valid or Expired less than one (1) year or "ALL" tests are required.  You can transfer noncommercial Class "B" license (equivalent to Maryland noncommercial Class "C" license) from France, to a Maryland noncommercial class "C" only.  This agreement does not apply to learner's permits, motorcycle licenses or commercial driver's licenses. 
   Note:  The driver's license from France must be surrendered to the MVA before the Maryland license is issued.  The MVA will return this license to the proper authorities in France to advise them that you now hold a Maryland's driver's license.
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3. Republic of Korea (South):  License must be VALID, NOT Expired or "ALL" tests are required.  You can transfer Republic of Korea (south) noncommercial license equivalent to a Maryland Class A, B, or C driver's license. This agreement does not apply to learner's permits or commercial driver's licenses.
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5. Federal Republic of Germany:  License must be VALID, NOT expired or "ALL" tests are required.  You can transfer Federal Republic of Germany noncommercial class "B" license (equivalent to Maryland noncommercial class "C" license.)  The customer must be 18 years of age or older, and be eligible for a Maryland Provisional or Full noncommercial class "C" license only.  This agreement does not apply to learner's permits, motorcycle licenses or commercial driver's licenses. 
   Note:  The driver's license from the Federal Republic of Germany must be surrendered to the MVA before the Maryland license can be issued.  The MVA will return this license to the proper authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany to advise them that you now hold a Maryland driver's license.
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7. Customers must also be sure to change their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) prior to coming to the MVA.  The license, learner’s permit or ID card will not be issued if the new desired name change does not match the SSA records and is not automatically verified by the SSA files.  It may take a minimum of 48 hours or longer for the SSA to update their records with your name change. Customers may obtain a Change of Address form (VR-154) at any MVA office, online or the form may be mailed to you.  To have the form mailed, please call the MVA Customer Service Center at 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY for the Hearing Impaired.

U. S. Armed Forces Military driver's license

U.S. Armed Forces Military Operators Permits must be accompanied by acceptable proof that the holder currently has or has held a driver’s license in a U.S. State or country (valid or expired).  If the applicant is unable to provide acceptable proof of ever holding a license from another state or country, they must be processed as a NEW driver and must complete all of the required GLS licensing requirements.

Veteran Status Code:  Effective January 1, 2013 if you are able to present certain United States Military Veteran documentation (original or certified copy issued by the appropriate department/agency) certifying your veteran status you may apply to add a “W” restriction code indicating that you are a U.S. Veteran onto your Maryland driver’s license or identification card (ID card).  You can add this “W” restriction code when you are processed for a license or ID card Renewal, Correction or New product.

1. In choosing to add this code to the driver’s license or ID card, you consent to being contacted by the appropriate Executive Branch agencies regarding your eligibility for State or Federal Veteran’s benefits. 
2. “Veteran” means an individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
3. If you do not have one of the below acceptable proof of veteran status documents indicating a discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable, you will need to contact the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Service Office to obtain documentation verifying your status as a veteran.  You may call 1-800-446-4926 or visit the MDVA website at http://www.mdva.state.md.us/about/serviceProgram.html for information and assistance.   

The acceptable proof of veteran status documents are:

1. DD-214 Military Discharge Certificate, or;
2. Honorable Discharge Certificate, or;
3. Letter from U.S. Military Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or; 
4. Letter from the Maryland Veterans Administration Service Program

The acceptable documents must show the Veteran status as:

1. Honorable, or;
2. General, or;
3. General Under Honorable Conditions, or;
4. Discharged or Released under conditions other than Dishonorable

Fee:  There is a fee if the applicant chooses to add or remove this designation onto their license or ID card as a correction.

Note:   

1. The conversion to an 8-year driver’s license and identification card will be implemented over the next few years.  During this phase-in period, individuals renewing their noncommercial driver’s license or identification card will receive a product with a validity period of a maximum of 5 to 8 years.  Because the expiration date of the license or identification card is determined by a computer generated selection process, the fee required to renew will vary.  This fee is prorated (for each year the product is valid) based on the period of validity of the license or identification card which may be for a maximum of 5-8 years.
2. Commercial driver’s licenses will continue to be valid for a maximum of 5-years.