What you need to bring and where to go
To get a Maryland driver's license, you visit a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The MVA is the only place that issues Maryland licenses — you cannot explore by mail or online. You will take a written test on road rules, a vision test, and a driving test before the license is issued.
The entire process usually takes several weeks from your first visit to receiving your card in the mail, because the MVA mails licenses to your address rather than handing them over at the office. Plan for at least two visits: one for the written and vision tests, and a second appointment for the driving test.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an MVA office in person with a valid ID, proof you live in Maryland, and proof of your Social Security number before you can take any test.
- The written test covers Maryland traffic laws and road signs, and you must score at least 70 percent to pass.
- You will need to schedule a separate appointment for the driving test, which is usually weeks after you pass the written test.
- Your license arrives by mail at the address you provide, so allow two to three weeks after you pass the driving test before it reaches you.
Documents you must bring to the MVA
Bring one document from each of these three categories: proof of identity, proof of Maryland residency, and proof of your Social Security number. The MVA will not let you test without all three.
For proof of identity, bring a valid U.S. passport, a passport card, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a permanent resident card. A Social Security card alone does not count as proof of identity. If you bring a birth certificate, it must be an official certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born — a photocopy or hospital copy will not work.
For proof of Maryland residency, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, a property tax bill, or a government-issued document with your current Maryland address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency counts. A credit card statement does not.
For proof of your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.
The written test and vision screening
At your first MVA visit, you will take a written test on Maryland traffic laws and road signs. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 18 correctly to pass. You can retake the test the same day if you fail, but you must wait one day before a third attempt.
The MVA provides a study guide called the Maryland Driver's Manual, available free on the MVA website and in print at any MVA office. The manual covers everything on the test: speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking rules, what different road signs mean, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. Most of the test questions come directly from this manual.
You will also have a vision screening at this visit. The screener will check whether you can read letters and numbers on a chart from a certain distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision screening, you will be told to see an eye doctor and bring a vision report back to the MVA before you can take the driving test.
Scheduling and taking the driving test
After you pass the written test, the MVA will give you a temporary permit that lets you drive with a licensed adult in the car. You then schedule a separate appointment for the driving test, which may be weeks away depending on how busy your local MVA office is. You can schedule online through the MVA website or by phone.
At the driving test, an MVA examiner will sit in your car while you drive for about 20 minutes. You will be tested on basic skills: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. The examiner will ask you to do things like pull into a parking space, back up, make a three-point turn, and drive on regular streets. You must bring your own car, and it must be registered and insured. The car must also pass a safety inspection — the MVA will check the brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and mirrors.
If you fail the driving test, you can retake it after one day has passed. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, but each attempt costs money and requires a new appointment.
Cost and how long it takes
A Maryland driver's license costs $70 and is valid for eight years. If you are under 21, the license costs $40 and is valid for five years. You pay this fee at your first MVA visit when you take the written test.
The timeline from your first visit to receiving your license in the mail is usually four to six weeks. The written and vision test can happen at your first appointment. The driving test happens at a later appointment, which may be two to four weeks away. After you pass the driving test, the MVA mails your license to you, which takes another one to two weeks.
If you need a license faster, some MVA offices offer rush processing for an extra fee, but this is not available at all locations. Call your local MVA office to ask whether rush processing is available and what it costs.
If you already have a license from another state
If you have a valid driver's license from another state and you are moving to Maryland, you can exchange it for a Maryland license without retaking the written and driving tests. You still need to visit an MVA office in person with proof of identity, proof of Maryland residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You will have a new vision screening and a new photo taken. The exchange takes about the same amount of time as a new license — four to six weeks for the card to arrive by mail.
If your out-of-state license has expired, you will have to take the written test and driving test again, just as if you were getting a license for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online or by mail?
No. You must take the written test in person at an MVA office. The MVA does not offer online or mail-in testing for driver's licenses.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can retake the driving test after one day has passed. You must schedule a new appointment and pay the fee again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it.
Do I need to bring my own car for the driving test?
Yes. The car must be registered, insured, and pass a safety check. The examiner will check the brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and mirrors before the test begins.
How long is a Maryland driver's license valid?
A license is valid for eight years if you are 21 or older, and five years if you are under 21. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires.
Can I renew my license online?
You can renew online if your license is not expired and you have not had any major changes to your address or name. If your license is expired or you need to update your information, you must visit an MVA office in person.