Maryland Permit Driving Rules: No Solo Driving, All Roads, No Phone

Maryland has strict rules for learner's permit holders. You must be supervised at all times, log 60 practice hours, and follow specific passenger restrictions 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. No exceptions exist for short distances, low-traffic areas, or emergencies. Solo driving voids your permit and resets the 9-month clock.

• Supervisor must be 21 or older, hold a valid license for at least 3 years, and sit in the front seat
• Driving alone triggers a $500 fine, 5 points on your record, permit suspension, and complete restart of the 9-month holding period
• If you're under 16, you also need a School Attendance Certification (Form DL-300) to maintain your permit eligibility

A Columbia teen drove to Dunkin' Donuts alone while his mother slept. Pulled over for a broken taillight, he lost his permit, paid a $290 fine, and his 9-month clock reset to day one.

Your supervisor must remain alert and engaged throughout every drive. For detailed requirements on who qualifies as a supervising driver, see Maryland supervising driver rules. Complete consequences of driving without supervision are outlined at driving alone penalties.

Always have your supervisor sign your practice log immediately after each session. Unsigned logs get rejected at the MVA when you apply for your provisional license.

Maryland Permit Driving Scope: All Roads and Hours with Supervisor

You can drive on any public roadway in Maryland with your supervisor present. This includes freeways, interstates, and local roads at any hour.

• Practice on all roads: highways, interstates, residential streets, and business districts
• Drive during day or night hours, no curfew applies to permit holders
• You cannot drive alone to school, work, or any other location
• Cell phone use is completely banned if you're under 18 (even hands-free). If 18+, handheld use is prohibited

Maryland's rule on supervisor credentials caught a Baltimore family mid-practice: the parent's foreign driver's license came from a non-reciprocal country and was explicitly excluded from the approved supervisor ID list. The teen was turned away from logging hours, and the parent had to obtain a Maryland DL first: roughly 2 weeks. Verify your supervisor's license status before your first drive.

You must complete 60 practice hours before taking the skills test. Download the Rookie Driver Practice Guide to track your hours properly. Ten of those hours must be nighttime driving. Details on documenting these hours are at Maryland practice hours requirements.

Frankly, the 60-hour requirement seems arbitrary when you consider that driving competence varies wildly by individual, but Maryland isn't budging on this number.

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.

The supervisor must be the only person in the front seat. Total passengers cannot exceed 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. Log at least 10 hours of nighttime driving (30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise) as part of your 60-hour practice requirement
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. First-time applicants should also review Form DL-100A (Driver License Application) requirements early.

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 Fines and Record Consequences Follow Maryland Permit Violations?

Maryland permit violations carry fines between $90 and $500 depending on severity. Points are assessed against your driving record and remain for two years. Any major moving violation resets the entire 9-month GLS holding period.

• Driving alone: $500 fine, 5 points, permit suspension, complete restart of 9-month holding period
• Cell phone use (under 18): Up to $500 fine and potential 90-day suspension
• Seatbelt violation: $83 fine per unbelted person
• Supervisor texting: The supervisor gets ticketed for distracted driving as the licensed adult responsible for the vehicle

You can drive through drive-thrus and move a car in parking lots, but your supervisor must be present for any vehicle operation.

A Frederick learner received a ticket because his supervisor was using a phone for GPS. The officer cited the supervisor for inattention, which invalidated the logged practice hours from that trip and delayed the license process.