New drivers with a provisional license obtained through the Maryland's Rookie Driver Program, and persons with a driver's license issued by another state or another country that has been held for at least 18 months, are eligible to receive a full Maryland Driver's License.  Separate descriptions of the application process are provided below for:

• New driver with a provisional license
• Experienced driver (18 months or more) with an out-of-state license
• Experienced driver (18 months or more) with an out-of-country 
• If you have a license from another state or another country but have held it less than 18 months, you must first obtain a provisional license.

Note:   U.S. Armed Forces Military Operators Permits/Licenses presented by Active Military Personnel are NOT acceptable as proof of having or having held a current/previous license, unless they are 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.

Fees:

• There is no fee for a full Maryland Driver's License if you currently hold a Maryland provisional license that was issued on or after July 1, 2004.  If the provisional was issued before July 1, 2004, there is a $5 fee.
• There is a fee for a Maryland Driver's License if you currently hold a license issued by another state or another country.
• A dual class license requires two license fees; one for each class (e.g., car and motorcycle).

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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Notes:

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

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

Contact Information:

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

For telephone questions:

What is the procedure for obtaining a full Maryland Driver's License when I have a Maryland Provisional License?

You must drive for a specified, minimum period of time with your provisional license without being convicted of a moving violation and without having your provisional license suspended or revoked for other reasons.  The time period you must drive with the provisional license depends upon how much driving experience you have had:

• If you are a new driver - 18 months.
• If you have an out-of-state or an out-of-country license and have held it:
  • less than 6 months - 18 months
  • more than 6 months but less than 12 months - 12 months
  • more than 12 months but less than 18 months - 6 months.

Note that if you are convicted of a moving violation (including Probation Before Judgment) or have had your provisional license suspended or revoked, you will be required to continue driving with the provisional license for a new 18 month time period.  Also note that while you have a provisional license, you must comply with certain driving restrictions and requirements:

• If you are less than 21 years old, you must not violate the alcohol restrictions established by law.
• If you are less than 18 years old:
  • All passengers must wear a seat belt.
  • You cannot use any wireless communication device (including cell phone) except to make an emergency 911 call;
  • You cannot drive between 12 midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless you are:
    • Accompanied and supervised by a licensed driver, 21 years or older, with at least 3 years of driving experience; or
    • Driving to, from, or during employment; or
    • Driving to or from a school class or an official school activity; or
    • Driving to or from an organized volunteer program; or
    • Driving to or from participation in an athletic event or related training session;
• For the first 5 months (151 days), all passengers must be at least 18 years old unless a qualified supervising driver is also present or the passengers are all direct family members.  Your direct family includes:
  • Spouse
  • Son/daughter or step son/step daughter
  • Brother/sister or step brother/step sister
  • Other relative who live at the same address as you.

Once you have driven the required period of time with your provisional license, the MVA will automatically send you a conversion card to show that you have a full driver's license; the card must be kept with your provisional license until the license expires.  If you do not wish to carry the conversion card, you may visit an MVA branch office and pay the Driver's License Duplicate fee to receive a full driver's license.  If your conversion card is lost or never received, you must obtain a corrected license and pay the Driver's License Duplicate fee.

What is the procedure for obtaining a Maryland Driver's License when I have a driver's license issued by another state and have held it for 18 months or longer?

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

• Your current driver's license, or proof of your licensure;
• Proof of your age
  • If you need a class B or C license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months (see not below)
  • If you need a class A license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months;
  • If you need a class M license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months unless you have satisfactorily completed a Motorcycle Safety Course approved by the MVA.
    Note:  A provisional license may be issued to noncommercial applicants who are at least 16 years, 6 months.
• Proof of your identity and residency;
• Glasses or contact lenses if needed (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information);
• Payment.

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

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

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.

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.

When you are finished, the MVA employee will collect the fee owed and issue your Maryland Driver's License.

Notes:

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

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

• Your current driver's license, or proof of your licensure;
• Proof of your age
  • If you need a class B or C license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months (see note below)
  • If you need a class A license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months;
  • If you need a class M license - you must be at least 18 years, 0 months unless you have satisfactorily completed a Motorcycle Safety Course approved by the MVA.
    Note:  A provisional license may be issued to noncommercial applicants who are at least 16 years, 6 months.
• Attend and present Certification of a 3-Hour Alcohol and Drug Education Program.
• Proof of your identity and residency
• Payment.

Second, visit any MVA full-service branch office in the vehicle that you will be driving; you will not need to make an appointment. When you arrive, the MVA employee will: 

• Take your photograph.  See MVA Photo Guidelines note below;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening form; and
• Ask you various questions to verify that you are eligible for the full license.
• Have you sign the application following the MVA Signature Guidelines.

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.

Each applicant for an MVA License, Learner's Permit, Moped Permit or Identification Card MUST sign their usual signature and comply with the MVA Signature Guidelines.

When the employee finishes these steps, he or she will direct you to a room where you will be given acomputer generated test of your driving knowledge, if required.

Upon successful completion of the knowledge 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 driver's license will be issued.  In certain situations, your license may be mailed to you.

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 are not required to schedule a skills test appointment.  Customers are taken on a walk in basis only. 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, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany.
• U.S. Territories:  American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands.  Also, the Panama Canal Zone, if the applicant was born prior to September 30, 1979.
• Countries: Licenses from the Republic of Korea (South) and the Federal Republic of Germany must be valid, NOT EXPIRED or "ALL" tests (Vision, Knowledge (law) & Skills) are required.

Notes:

1. France:  License must be Valid or Expired less than one (1) year or "ALL" tests are required. Can transfer 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 driver's license.
2. 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.  The driver's license from the Republic of Korea (South) must be returned to the customer. This agreement does not apply to learner's permit or commercial driver's licenses.
3. 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.