Maryland Learner's Permit Driving Rules: Supervision, Roads, Passengers and Phones

Maryland learner's permit holders must be supervised whenever they drive, complete the practice hours required for their age group, and follow the permit's passenger and phone rules before advancing to a provisional license.

What Happens If a Maryland Permit Holder Drives Without a Supervisor?

A qualified supervising driver must occupy the front passenger seat during every Maryland permit drive. Short trips to school, work, stores, or other destinations are not exceptions to the supervision rule.

• Supervisor must be 21 or older, have been licensed for at least 3 years in Maryland or another state for the class of vehicle being driven, and sit beside the learner
• Driving without the required supervision carries a preset $290 fine and 5 points
• If a moving violation results in a conviction or probation before judgment, the Rookie Driver holding-period rule can require 9 months from the most recent violation before provisional-license eligibility

For the full supervisor qualifications, see Maryland supervising driver rules. Detailed solo-driving consequences belong in the dedicated driving alone penalties guide.

Where and When Can You Drive With a Maryland Learner's Permit?

You can drive on Maryland public roads, including highways and interstates, when the required supervising driver is seated beside you. The learner's permit itself does not impose a nighttime curfew when you are properly supervised.

The required practice total depends on age. Drivers under 25 generally complete 60 hours, including 10 at night; drivers age 25 or older complete 14 hours, including 3 at night. See the dedicated Maryland practice hours requirements page for the full rule and logging details.

Can a Maryland learner's permit holder use Bluetooth, hands-free calling, or phone GPS?

No. Maryland MVA's learner-permit rule prohibits cell-phone use while driving, including hands-free or Bluetooth use, except for a 911 emergency call. If you need phone-based navigation, set it before moving and avoid handling or using the phone while driving.

Can Maryland Permit Holders Carry Passengers While Driving?

Maryland learner's permit holders may carry passengers while practicing, with no limit on passenger count. The supervising driver must remain in the front passenger seat at all times and cannot be displaced by other riders. Total passengers cannot exceed the available seatbelts.

Once you upgrade to a provisional license, passenger rules tighten considerably during the first five months. Download Form VL-015 (Provisional License Application) when you're ready to advance.

Can Maryland Permit Holders Drive at Night and on Highways?

Maryland learner's permit holders may drive at night, on highways, and on all public roads at any hour as long as a qualified supervising driver is in the front seat. No time restrictions or road-type bans apply to permit holders.

1. Complete the nighttime practice required for your age group: 10 hours if under 25, or 3 hours if age 25 or older
2. Practice freeway merges and exits during low-traffic hours first, try I-70 west of Frederick before tackling I-95 during rush hour
3. Nighttime visibility is completely different than daytime driving; don't skip this practice

A Baltimore teen panicked during a late-night merge onto I-95 because they'd only practiced on local roads. Their supervisor had to grab the wheel, creating a dangerous situation.

Download the Maryland Driver's Manual for complete guidance on night driving techniques and freeway safety.

Schedule your MVA skills test appointment online the moment you're eligible. Busy locations like Gaithersburg or Glen Burnie have 2-3 month wait times.

What Happens If You Break Maryland Learner's Permit Driving Rules?

Different violations have different fines and point consequences, so this page keeps only the rules directly tied to permit driving.

• Driving without the required supervisor: preset $290 fine and 5 points
• Moving violation conviction or PBJ: can trigger the Rookie Driver rule requiring 9 months from the most recent violation before provisional-license eligibility
• Cell-phone use: learner's permit holders may not use a phone while driving, including hands-free, except for a 911 emergency call

For full citation, point, and suspension details, use the dedicated Maryland traffic-violation and driving-alone guides rather than treating every permit violation as having the same penalty.