Maryland Online Driver Education and Maryland Licensing Procedures

So you've taken your first step towards becoming a new driver in Maryland? Congratulations!

As you probably already know, driving is a valuable skill, but can also be extremely dangerous. Therefore, to help new teen drivers develop safe driving habits during their first few years behind the wheel, the State of Maryland has implemented a graduated driver license program for Iowa drivers who are under the age of 18.

We’ve summarized a few things you’ll need to know as you begin the process of becoming a licensed driver in Maryland.

Maryland Instruction Permit (aka--Learners Permit)

• You need to be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for an instruction permit in Maryland.
• When you're ready to get your instruction permit, make an appointment at the local MVA office. Remember to take the following items with you when you go to take your test:
• A completed School Attendance Certification Form (available on the Maryland MVA website) if you're under 16
• Your parent/guardian must co-sign your instruction permit application
• Valid forms of ID (for a complete list of acceptable ID's, please visit the Maryland MVA website)
• Proof of Residence in Maryland

After you receive your instruction permit (which is valid for 2 years), you may begin to practice driving, however, there are some restrictions:

• You must always have a licensed driver (who's been licensed for at least 3 years) sitting next to you in the front passenger seat actively supervising your driving.
• You may not use a cell phone or any other electronic communication device while you drive with an instruction permit

Violations of these restrictions may result in your instruction permit being suspended.

Maryland Provisional License

In order to be eligible to apply for a provisional license in Maryland, you must first meet the following prerequisites:

• Be at least 16 years and 6 months old
• Have had your Maryland instruction permit in good standing for at least 9 months
• Completed at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice (10 of which must have been done at night). Your parent/guardian will need to fill out and sign your practice skills log
• Completed a state-approved drivers education course

When you're ready, head back down to the local Maryland MVA office. Be sure to take your instruction permit and all the documents you took when you went to get your instruction permit. You will need to pass a road test before being issued a provisional drivers license.

With a provisional license, some restrictions still apply until you turn 18:

• During the first five (5) months, no passengers under 18 may ride with you (except family members), unless you have a licensed driver with at least three (3) years of driving experience supervising you in the front passenger seat
• You may not drive from 12 midnight to 5am unless you are going to or from your job, a school-sponsored event, a volunteer program, or a sporting event you're participating in (sorry, a spectator is not a participant!)

Maryland Auto Insurance & Financial Responsibility Laws

State law requires that you have at least a certain amount of auto insurance/liability coverage on any vehicle you drive. The minimum amount of liability coverage required in Maryland is as follows:

• $20,000--personal injury (1 person)
• $40,000--personal injury (2 or more persons)
• $25,000--property damage

Driving without auto insurance liability coverage is a crime. If you are found to be driving while uninsured, you risk losing your license and paying a hefty fine.

Maryland Drunk Driving Laws

Please know that Maryland has a Zero Tolerance Law regarding alcohol abuse. If you're under 21, and have a blood alcohol content of .02, you will face a heavy fine plus suspension of your driver's license (even though the a regular DUI limit is .08).

You probably have heard a lot already about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol, so we'll get right to the consequences.

The FIRST time you get busted for DUI in Maryland, you will face the following penalties:

• 1 year in prison (2 years if you were transporting a minor at the time)
• $1,000 fine
• Suspension of your license for at least 6 months

Further DUI violations will result in even more severe penalties, including extended jail time, fines, and the revocation of your driver's license.

Maryland Cell Phone & Text-Messaging Laws

Maryland currently prohibits teen-aged drivers from using cell phones or text-messaging devices while driving with an instruction permit or a provisional license.

Maryland Online Driver Education

For a list of approved drivers education courses offered in Maryland, please visit the Maryland MVA website.