IN
Driving alone with a Maryland learner's permit can lead to fines, points and other consequences. A moving-violation conviction or PBJ for the supervision violation restarts the required 9-month violation-free holding period; the citation by itself does not.
Driving without the required supervisor violates Maryland's learner-permit supervision rule under Transportation Article §16-105 and carries 5 points. It is different from the separate offense of driving when you are not licensed or otherwise authorized under §16-101.
The total cost includes the citation, towing, impound fees, and a mandatory Driver Improvement Program course.
| Penalty Type | Estimated Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Citation | $290 - $500 | Preset fine is typically $290; statutory maximum is $500. |
| Driver Improvement Program | $50 - $100 | Mandatory course fee for drivers accumulating 5-7 points. |
| Impound & Storage | $280 - $600+ | Includes initial tow plus daily storage rates like $30/day. |
A 17-year-old in Baltimore was stopped on I-83 driving home from work. The officer impounded the car. The teen paid a $310 fine, a $275 tow fee, and $120 for three days of storage before a parent could retrieve the vehicle.
No. A Maryland learner’s permit does not create a work or school exception to the supervision rule. Whenever you drive on the permit, the qualified supervising driver required by Maryland law must be seated beside you. For work, school, practice, or another regular destination, arrange for a qualified supervisor or use another legal transportation option.
Maryland’s learner-permit supervision rule does not list a general emergency exception that allows ordinary solo driving. An urgent situation does not turn a learner’s permit into an unrestricted license.
If an emergency makes driving seem unavoidable, the safest legal option is to call 911 or arrange another qualified driver rather than assume the permit restriction disappears.
A solo-driving conviction or PBJ for the moving violation resets the required violation-free holding period to 9 months from the most recent violation. Previously completed valid practice hours do not automatically reset.
| After the Violation | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Violation-free holding period | Restarts to 9 months from the most recent qualifying violation. |
| Previously completed valid practice hours | Remain completed; they do not automatically return to zero. |
| Hours from a drive without qualified supervision | Do not count as valid supervised practice. |
Use Maryland's current Rookie Driver Practice Guide and log (RD-006) to record qualifying supervised practice.
For points and other moving-violation consequences, see the dedicated Maryland permit traffic-violations guide.
Follow the instructions printed on the citation. A court appearance is required when the citation is marked as a must-appear offense.
Other moving violations can also affect a learner's required violation-free period after a conviction or PBJ. The exact points and MVA action depend on the violation and disposition.
See the dedicated Maryland permit traffic-violations guide for speeding, wireless-device, DUI/DWI and other point consequences.
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