Behind-the-Wheel Training in Maryland

Maryland Driver's Training

All new drivers must complete behind-the-wheel driving practice as a component of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) rookie driver program/graduated licensing system (GLS).

The MD MVA behind-the-wheel requirements include both driver training during your Driver's Ed course and supervised practice with a licensed adult.

The safe driving experience and knowledge you'll gain during the supervised driving portions of the Maryland rookie driver program will help you ace your road test and get on the road with your new driver's license.

On this page you'll find information about the supervised behind-the-wheel training requirements and the next steps towards your unrestricted driver's license.

MD Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

The Maryland DMV behind-the-wheel requirements for all new drivers consist of:

  • 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driver's training as part of a Driver's Ed course, PLUS:
    • 60 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice (10 hours at night), if you're a new driver under 25 years old.

If you are a new driver who is 25 years old and over you must have:

  • Held a permit license for a minimum of 45 days.
  • Completed 14 hours of supervised practice driving.
  • Comleted 6 hours behind the wheel training as part of the approved driver's education requirements.

You can begin your supervised driver's training requirements when you are at least 15 years and 9 months old by obtaining your learner's permit and enrolling in a Driver's Ed program.

For more information, please visit our pages on those topics:

Maryland Driver's Training Course

Behind-the-wheel driver's training in Maryland is a component of your MD driver's education program.

In addition to 30 hours of classroom instruction, your course will include at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with your driving instructor.

For a complete list of approved Driver’s Ed schools, please visit the Maryland MVA website.

Your driving school should notify the Maryland DMV once you complete both the classroom and in-car portions of your Driver's Ed course.

Supervised Behind-the-Wheel Practice

While you hold your learner's permit, you'll also need to practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and has held a driver's license for at least 3 years. Your required hours will depend on your age.

  • Under 25 years old: 60 hours, including 10 hours completed at night.
  • 25 years old or older: 14 hours of practice driving with including 3 hours completed at night.

You and your driving supervisor will need to keep track of your driving practice with the Rookie Driver Skills Log & Practice Guide (Form RD-006), which you will receive with your learner's permit.

When you complete your MD behind-the-wheel practice, you'll need to submit the driving log with the signature of your parent/legal guardian or driving mentor.

After Driver's Training - Your Provisional License

You will be eligible to advance from your learner's permit to a provisional license if you:

  • Are at least 16 1/2 years old.
  • Have held your Maryland learner's permit for at least 9 months.
    • 45 days only if you are 25 years old or older.
  • Have completed the classroom and behind-the-wheel components of your driver's education course.
  • Have completed your supervised driving practice.
  • Have not been convicted of any traffic violations.

Once you meet the requirements above, you'll need to schedule your driving test on the Maryland MVA website.

For more information, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) or Applying for a New License (Drivers 18+) pages.

Find more teen-related driving information at Practice Tests and Driver Education on this site.

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Forms

RD-006
New Driver & Coach Practice Guide with Driver Logs
Refer to this MVA guide and fill out the practice log when a new driver gets behind-the-wheel.
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