Who Needs To Take Maryland Drivers Education?

You have hit those teen years and now you are ready to get behind the wheel in Maryland and obtain your driver's license for the very first time. It can be a confusing process, so you might be wondering who needs to take Maryland drivers education? Coastline Academy takes on that topic today, as we look into the rules for Driver's Ed when it comes to Maryland drivers.

The Rookie Driver Program

In Maryland, they take part in The Rookie Driver Program for all applicants, regardless of age, who have never held a license in Maryland or any other state or country. The program requires new drivers to gain driving experience under the supervision of an experienced driver. It also encourages good driving behavior by imposing specific restrictions and strict sanctions during each step of the licensing process. In The Rookie Driver graduated licensing system, applicants progress through three levels of licensing:

1. A Learner’s Permit
2. A Provisional License
3. A Full Driver’s License

First Up: Learner's Permit

In Maryland, applicants must hold a valid learner’s permit BEFORE behind-the-wheel driver education or supervised driving on Maryland highways. Learner’s permits are valid for two years from the date they are issued. The requirements to obtain a learner's permit are:

• Minimum age is 15 years and 9 months.
• If the applicant is under 16, they must provide a completed Learner’s Permit School Attendance Certification form (DL-300).
• If the applicant is under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign the learner’s permit application.
• Applicants must pass a vision screening and a knowledge test.
• While driving, learner’s permit holders must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 or older and who has held a license for a minimum of three years. The person must be seated beside the new driver at all times with no other front seat occupants. Practice Logs are available to guide practice in several driving situations and conditions.
• A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian or mentor) must complete a Practice Log for the learner’s permit holder which is issued by the MVA along with every learner’s permit.

Requirements For Maryland Learner's Permit

After getting your learner's permit, there are certain requirements you must follow, depending on your age:

• Age 18 or under (without HS Diploma or its equivalent) - Must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Age 18 years old (with HS Diploma or its equivalent) - Must hold permit for 3 months before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Ages 19-24 - Must hold permit for 3 months before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 60 supervised practice driving hours with 10 of those hours being done at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Ages 25 and older - Must hold permit for 45 days before provisional license can be issued. If individual was convicted of or granted Probation Before Judgement for a moving violation, they must hold permit for 9 months before provisional license can be issued. Must complete 14 hours of driving practice with supervising driver, which includes 3 hours at night. Must complete Maryland Certified Driver Education program, which consists of 30 classroom hours and 6 hours behind the wheel.

Who Needs To Take Maryland Driver's Ed?

As you can see from the list above, the Maryland MVA requires all new Maryland drivers, regardless of age, to successfully complete a certified Driver Education Program course that includes 30 hours of classroom learning and six hours of behind-the-wheel training.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.