Maryland Driver's Manual Notes

Driving Tests Requirements

• Vision Screening:

  • Binocular vision required.

  • Visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye.

  • Continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees.

  • Glasses or contacts must be worn if required to meet vision standards.

• Knowledge Test:

  • 25 questions, 20 minutes to complete.

  • Tests knowledge of motor vehicle laws, safe driving practices, and traffic signs.

• Driving Skills Test:

  • Appointment required.

  • Vehicle must have up-to-date license plates, registration, and proof of insurance.

  • Vehicle must be safe to drive with no windshield cracks affecting visibility and at least a half tank of gas.

• Reportable Medical Conditions:

  • Drivers must report any medical condition that could affect their ability to drive.

Licensing Requirements and Process

• Rookie Driver/Graduated Licensing System (GLS):

  • Applies to those without a prior license.

  • Progresses from Learner’s Permit to Provisional License to Driver’s License.

• Learner’s Instructional Permit:Type 1: For those without a driver's license. Type 2: For those with a driver's license applying for a different class.

  • Applicants younger than 25 must complete a Maryland Driver Education Program and practice driving at least 60 hours with a supervising driver (10 hours at night).

  • Applicants 25 and older must complete a Maryland Driver Education Program and at least 14 practice hours with a supervising driver (3 hours at night).

• Provisional License:

  • Requires successful completion of driver education program, a valid Learner’s Permit, and passing the driving skills test.

  • Restrictions apply (e.g., passengers, nighttime driving).

• Driver’s License:

  • Requires being at least 18 years old and holding a Provisional License for at least 18 months without moving violations.

• Co-Signer (for Minors):

  • Required for applicants under 18; can be a parent, legal guardian, or spouse (if 18 or older).

• Out-of-Country Licenses:

  • Require vision screening, knowledge test, driving skills test, and a three-hour alcohol and drug education program.

Basic Driving

• Drive Defensively:

  • Maintain vehicle control and be aware of surroundings.

  • Manage risk by adjusting speed, position, and direction.

• Right-of-Way:

  • Yield to drivers at or arriving first at an intersection, or to the right if arriving simultaneously.

  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in an intersection.

• Vehicle Speed:

  • Posted speed limit is the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions.

  • Adjust speed for adverse conditions (e.g., curves, slippery roads).

• Following Distance:

  • Minimum of 3 to 4 seconds under ideal conditions.

• Lane Driving:

  • Drive in a single lane and avoid changing lanes in an intersection.

• Turning:

  • Signal before turning and check surroundings.

• U-Turns:

  • Check if U-turns are allowed; yield to oncoming traffic.

• Passing:

  • Pass on the left when safe; use turn signals.

  • Do not pass in no-passing zones, on hills or curves with obstructed views, or within 100 feet of intersections or railroad crossings.

• General Parking Rules:

  • Park in designated areas, close to the curb, and set the parking brake.

Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings

• Traffic Signals:

  • Steady Red: Stop.

  • Steady Yellow: Signal is changing; proceed if unable to stop safely.

  • Steady Green: Proceed with caution.

  • Flashing Red: Stop, yield, and proceed when clear.

  • Flashing Yellow: Slow down and proceed with caution.

• Traffic Signs:

  • Red: Stop, yield, do not enter.

  • Yellow: General warning.

  • Orange: Construction warning.

  • Green: Destinations, directions.

  • Blue: Services.

  • Brown: Recreation areas.

  • Shapes indicate the type of sign (e.g., octagon=stop, triangle=yield, diamond=warning).

• Pavement Markings:

  • White lines: Separate lanes moving in the same direction.

  • Yellow lines: Separate lanes moving in opposite directions.

  • Solid lines: Discourage or prohibit lane changes.

  • Broken lines: Permit lane changes.

Driving Situations and Conditions

• Reduced Visibility:

  • Use headlights (low beams in fog).

  • Follow road edge lines for guidance.

• Driving at Night:

  • Use headlights; increase following distance.

  • Avoid staring into oncoming headlights.

• Driving in Fog:

  • Reduce speed; use low beam headlights.

• Driving in Inclement Weather:

  • Increase following distance; reduce speed.

  • Avoid sudden braking and steering.

• Skidding:

  • Release accelerator or brake.

  • Steer in the direction of the skid.

• Hydroplaning:

  • Take foot off the gas; do not brake.

  • Keep vehicle going straight and slow down.

• Highway-Railroad Crossings:

  • Look and listen for trains; stop if lights are flashing or gates are down.

• Work Zone Safety:

  • Obey speed limits and watch for changing conditions.

• Traffic Circles (Roundabouts):

  • Yield to traffic already in the circle.

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

• Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving:

  • Driving under the influence impairs judgment and coordination.

  • Maryland considers drivers to be driving under the influence of alcohol when their blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher.

  • It is against the law to drive with an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of the vehicle

  • It is against the law for people under 21 years old drink any alcohol.

• Aggressive Driving and Road Rage:

  • Avoid behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes.

• Distracted Driving:

  • Avoid activities that take eyes, hands, or mind away from driving (e.g., cell phone use).

  • Illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving.

  • If you are under 18 years old, you may not use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.

• Drowsy Driving:

  • Drowsiness impairs reaction time and awareness.

  • Take breaks, rest, or change drivers if feeling tired.

Sharing the Road

• Pedestrian Right-of-Way:

  • Stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

• Emergency Vehicles:

  • Yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles with sirens and flashing lights.

  • Move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles.

• Large Trucks and Buses:

  • Be aware of large blind spots (“No Zones”).

  • Give trucks ample room to turn.

• School Buses:

  • Stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights.

• Motorcycles:

  • Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as any other driver on the road.

  • Look twice before changing lanes or merging into traffic.

  • Do not share a lane with a motorcycle.

• Bicycles:

  • Bicyclists are vehicles, according to Maryland law, and are allowed to use the road and must obey all traffic signals. You must drive carefully near bicyclists.

  • Give bikes at least 3 feet.

• Mopeds and Scooters:

  • Watch for mopeds and scooters because their size makes them very difficult to see.

• Understanding Vehicle Technologies:

  • Be familiar with the technologies on any vehicle you are about to drive and use them safely and effectively.

  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems” (ADAS) vehicle technologies are features that make driving safer.

Crashes and Traffic Stops

• Crashes:

  • Stop at the scene and provide assistance if anyone is injured.

  • Exchange information with other drivers involved.

  • Call 911 if there are injuries, vehicles cannot be moved, or if a driver is under the influence.

• Roadside Emergencies:

  • Move vehicle off the road if possible.

  • Use caution and stay alert.

• Traffic Stops:

  • Pull over safely and follow officer’s instructions.

• Move Over Law:

  • Move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles or slow down if unable to move over.

Other Restrictions, Violations, and Penalties

• Restrictions:

  • Driving restrictions may be imposed based on license type or violations.

  • Graduated license holders under 18 have seat belt, passenger, and nighttime driving restrictions.

• Drug and Alcohol Test – Implied Consent:

  • Drivers consent to drug or alcohol testing if requested by law enforcement.

• Obtaining a False or Forged Identification Card, Driver’s License or Learner’s Instructional Permit:

  • May be fined and/or sent to prison under federal and state Law.

• Administrative Actions:

  • The MVA may suspend, revoke, refuse, or cancel your license if you violate motor vehicle laws.

• Penalties for Minors:

  • FIRST offense requires you to complete a driver improvement program.

  • SECOND offense will result in a 30-day suspension of your driver’s license followed by a 90-day restriction that limits your driving to employment and educational purposes only.

  • A THIRD offense will result in a 180- day suspension of your license, require attendance at a driver improvement program for young drivers, and an employment and education only restriction for 180 days.

  • A FOURTH or MORE offenses will result in your license being revoked. You must pass all licensing tests to get your license back.

• Penalties for Adults:

  • The MVA may suspend or revoke licenses for violations.

  • Penalties increase with repeat offenses.

• Use of Disability Parking Spaces, License Plates and Placards:

  • If you illegally use disability parking spaces, disability license plates, and disability placards.

Other Important Information

• Medical Conditions:

  • Drivers must report medical conditions that may affect driving ability (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy).

• Supervising Driver:

  • Must be at least 21 years old and licensed for at least three years.

• Organ Donor:

  • Maryland residents can give the gift of life and health to someone else by donating organs or tissues after death.

  • Anyone 18 years old or older may be an organ donor.

• Insurance Requirements:

  • It is against the law to drive without vehicle insurance!

  • All vehicles must be insured for personal injury and property damage.

• Child Safety Seats:

  • All children under age 8 must ride in a child safety seat, unless the child is 4’9” or taller.

  • Children younger than 2 must ride in a rear- facing child safety seat that meets federal guidelines until they reach the height or weight specified by the manufacturer.

• Air Bags:

  • Follow safety guidelines for proper use.

• Braking with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS):

  • Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) help prevent your wheels from locking up so you can control your car.

• Wearing of Headsets, Earphones and Earplugs Prohibited:

  • You may not drive with earplugs, headsets, or earphones in both ears. Hearing aid devices are allowed.

• Parallel Parking:

  • Parallel parking is no longer required when you take your driving test.

• Rules and Tips for Bicyclists:

  • Expect to find bicyclists: • On all types of roads (except interstate highways, and bridges and tunnels with tolls).

• Electric Low Speed Vehicles (Definitions):

  • Electric Bicycles. Are operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor.

• Vision Screening:

  • Visual acuity: 20/40 in each eye; 140 degrees continuous vision.

  • Remember: Eye chart image.

  • Wear glasses/contacts if needed.

• Knowledge Test:

  • 25 questions, 20 minutes.

  • Remember: Road signs and law book image.

  • Covers laws, practices, signs.

• Driving Skills Test:

  • Current registration/insurance.

  • Remember: Car dashboard image.

  • Safe vehicle (no windshield cracks, half tank of gas).

• Reportable Medical Conditions:

  • Remember: Medical form image.

  • Report conditions affecting driving.

• Rookie Driver (GLS):

  • Learner’s Permit → Provisional License → Driver’s License.

  • Remember: License progression diagram.

• Learner’s Permit:

  • Under 25: Driver Education Program + 60 hours practice (10 at night).

  • 25 and older: Driver Education Program + 14 hours practice (3 at night).

  • Remember: Practice hours log image.

• Provisional License:

  • Restrictions (passengers, night driving).

  • Remember: Restricted driving sign.

• Driver’s License:

  • 18 years old; Provisional License for 18 months (no violations).

  • Remember: Standard license image.

• Co-Signer (for Minors): Required under 18.

  • Remember: Parent/guardian signature.

• Out-of-Country Licenses: Vision, knowledge, skills tests + alcohol/drug education.

  • Remember: International driver's license image.

• Drive Defensively: Control vehicle, be aware, manage risk.

  • Remember: Defensive driving diagram.

• Right-of-Way: Yield to drivers/pedestrians.

  • Remember: Yield sign image.

• Vehicle Speed: Obey speed limits, adjust for conditions.

  • Remember: Speed limit sign.

• Following Distance: 3-4 seconds minimum.

  • Remember: Distance marker on road.

• Lane Driving: Stay in lane, avoid changing in intersections.

  • Remember: Lane lines image.

• Turning: Signal, check surroundings.

  • Remember: Turn signal icon.

• U-Turns: Check if allowed, yield.

  • Remember: U-turn sign.

• Passing: Pass on left when safe; no passing zones/hills/curves/intersections.

  • Remember: No passing zone sign.

• General Parking: Designated areas, curb, parking brake.

  • Remember: Parking sign.

• Traffic Signals:

  • Red: Stop.

  • Remember: Red light image.

  • Yellow: Caution.

  • Remember: Yellow light image.

  • Green: Proceed.

  • Remember: Green light image.

  • Flashing Red: Stop, yield.

  • Remember: Flashing red light image.

  • Flashing Yellow: Caution.

  • Remember: Flashing yellow light image.

• Traffic Signs:

  • Red: Stop, yield, do not enter.

  • Remember: stop sign

  • Yellow: Warning.

  • Remember: warning sign

  • Orange: Construction.

  • Remember: construction sign

  • Green: Directions.

  • Remember: directions sign

  • Blue: Services.

  • Remember: services sign

  • Brown: Recreation.

  • Remember: recreation sign

• Pavement Markings:

  • White: Same direction lanes.

  • Remember: White lane divider

  • Yellow: Opposite direction lanes.

  • Remember: Yellow Lane divider

  • Solid: No lane changes.

  • Remember: Solid lane divider

  • Broken: Lane changes allowed.

  • Remember: Broken lane divider

• Reduced Visibility: Headlights (low beams in fog).

  • Remember: Foggy road image

• Driving at Night: Headlights, increase distance.

  • Remember: Night driving image

• Driving in Fog: Reduce speed, low beams.

  • Remember: Foggy conditions

• Driving in Inclement Weather: Increase distance, reduce speed, avoid sudden moves.

  • Remember: Rainy road image

• Skidding: Release accelerator/brake, steer into skid.

  • Remember: Car skidding image

• Hydroplaning: Take foot off gas, don't brake, steer straight.

  • Remember: Hydroplaning car image

• Highway-Railroad: Look/listen for trains, stop if lights/gates.

  • Remember: Railroad crossing image

• Work Zone: Obey speed limits, watch conditions.

  • Remember: Construction zone image

• Traffic Circles: Yield to traffic in circle.

  • Remember: Roundabout image

• Alcohol/Drugs: Impairs driving; .08 BAC limit.

  • Remember: DUI image

• Aggressive Driving: Avoid speeding, tailgating, unsafe lanes.

  • Remember: Road rage image

• Distracted Driving: No cell phones (especially under 18).

  • Remember: No cell phone use while driving

• Drowsy Driving: Take breaks.

  • Remember: drowsy driver image

• Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Stop for pedestrians.

  • Remember: Pedestrian crossing sign

• Emergency Vehicles: Yield, move over/slow down.

  • Remember: Emergency vehicle

• Large Trucks/Buses: Be aware of blind spots.

  • Remember: Blind spot diagram

• School Buses: Stop 20 feet from flashing lights.

  • Remember: School bus image

• Motorcycles: Same rights as drivers, don't share lane.

  • Remember: Motorcycle sharing a lane with another car

• Bicycles: Legal vehicles, give 3 feet.

  • Remember: Car passing bicycle with 3 feet

• Mopeds/Scooters: Watch for them.

  • Remember: Moped

• Crashes: Stop, assist, exchange info, call 911 if needed.

  • Remember: Car crash

• Traffic Stops: Pull over, follow instructions.

  • Remember: Police car pulling someone over

• Move Over Law: Move over for emergency vehicles.

  • Remember: Car moving over for emergency vehicle

• Implied Consent: Agree to drug/alcohol test if asked.

  • Remember: Sobriety test

• Insurance: Required by law.

  • Remember: insurance card

• Child Safety Seats: Under 8 must use, under 2 rear-facing.

  • Remember: child in car seat