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, 5 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.

Fees:

• There 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?

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.

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, instead of completing the Practice and Skills Log.

In addition, you must complete a Maryland licensed and approved certified driver's education course that includes at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of driving experience.  You can take this course at any time prior to taking your skills test, even before you apply for the learner's permit.  Note, that if you are applying for a class M (motorcycle) license and this will be your first license, you must still complete the driver's education course. 

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.

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 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 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
• Verify that you need a provisional license and meet all eligibility requirements.

Note:  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 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
• Verify that you need a provisional license and meet all eligibility requirements.

Note:  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.

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.  You may be required to schedule a skills test appointment once you have passed the Vision and Knowledge tests if the MVA is not able to fit you in on the same day.  Click here for additional information on scheduling a test appointment or you may call 1-800-950-1682 (in-state) or 1-301-729-4550 (out-of-state) 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.  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.
2. Republic of Korea (south):  License must be VALID, NOT Expired or "ALL" tests are required.  Can transfer Republic of Korea (south) noncommercial license equivalent to a Maryland Class A, B, or C driver's license. The driver's license from the Republic of Korea (South) must be surrendered to the MVA before the Maryland license is issued.  The MVA will return this license to the proper authorities in Korea to advise them that you now hold a Maryland driver's license. This agreement does not apply to learner's permits or commercial driver's licenses.
3. Federal Republic of Germany:  License must be VALID, NOT expired or "ALL" tests are required.  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.

U. S. Armed Forces Military driver's license

Notes:

1. Maryland does not transfer U.S. Armed Forces Military driver's licenses.  You must have a valid or expired license from Maryland, another state, or another country.
2. Military License Holders:  If you can ONLY present proof of holding a U.S. Armed Forces Military driver's license and have never had a license from another state or country (or can not provide acceptable proof of this previous licensure) then you MUST be processed as a "NEW" driver and are required to obtain a Type 1 Graduated Licensing System (GLS) learner's permit and must meet all of the eligibility requirements to obtain your first GLS license.