Behind-the-Wheel Tests
On this page
The Maryland Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test measures your ability to safely operate a non-commercial Class C vehicle in real traffic conditions.
This page explains how to prepare, what to bring, and what to expect on test day.
How to Prepare for the Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test
Step 1: Complete All Practice and Eligibility Requirements
Before scheduling your driving test, you must:
- Hold a valid, unexpired learner’s permit
- Complete required practice driving hours
- Bring your signed skills practice log and certification page (if required)
- Have completed driver education, if applicable
If required, your supervising driver must accompany you to the test site.
Step 2: Understand the Test
The Behind-the-Wheel Driving Skills Test has two parts:
- A closed course portion — this checks your basic vehicle control skills. You may be asked to complete maneuvers such as:
- Reverse two-point turnabout
- Backing and turning
- Other low-speed control exercises
- A public road portion — this evaluates your ability to drive safely on real roads.
You must pass the closed course portion before continuing to the public road portion.
Step 3: Schedule Your Driving Test Appointment
Appointments are required for all behind-the-wheel driving tests. Schedule your appointment through myMVA Online Services.
Choose your location, date, and time carefully. Arrive early on test day - late arrivals may require rescheduling.
Step 4: Make Sure Your Test Vehicle Is Safe and Legal
You must provide a vehicle for the test.
The vehicle must:
- Be properly registered with front and rear tags
- Have working headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
- No windshield cracks that obstruct the driver's view or loose objects that could become hazards inside the vehicle
- Have safe tires that are properly inflated and adequate tread
- Have functioning brakes, horn, door handles and locks, and mirrors
- No dashboard warning lights on and at least half a tank of gas
- Allow the examiner access to the parking brake
- Have valid proof of insurance
- If you use a rental vehicle, your name must appear as an authorized driver on the rental agreement.
If the vehicle fails the safety inspection, the test will not be completed.
Step 5: Bring All Required Documents
On test day, bring:
- Your valid learner’s permit
- Vehicle registration for the vehicle you are using
- Proof of insurance
- Your signed practice skills log (if required) and verification of driver education completion (if applicable)
- A supervising driver with valid license
If required documents are missing, your test may be canceled.
Step 6: Demonstrate Closed Course Skills
The test starts with a closed course exercise to measure basic control of the vehicle. One required exercise is the Reverse Two-Point Turnabout, which evaluates your backing skills, use of mirrors and signals, steering, and general control.
You must complete this section within the allowed time. Taking longer than the allotted time (for example, exceeding three minutes on a maneuver) can result in automatic failure.
Step 7: Complete the Public Road Test
After passing the closed-course portion, you will drive on public roads.
The examiner will evaluate your ability to:
- Obey traffic signs and signals
- Brake, steer, and stop
- Maintain proper lane position
- Make safe turns and lane changes
- Use head and traffic checks
- Control speed especially around curves
- Demonstrate safe awareness of traffic conditions and intersections
The goal is to confirm that you can drive safely and responsibly in real traffic. The test will be terminated if too many basic driving errors are accumulated. If you test is terminated for any reason, you will be asked to pull over to a safe place and the examiner will drive the vehicle back to the MVA.
Step 8: After the Test
If you pass:
- Your results will be processed
- Your driver’s license will be issued or mailed to you
If you do not pass:
- You must wait at least one business day before retesting
- You must schedule a new appointment
- A retest fee may apply
Use the feedback provided to practice and improve before your next attempt.
Important Reminders
- Practice - preparation increases your chances of passing on your first attempt.
- Arrive early for your appointment
- Make sure your vehicle meets safety standards
- Bring all required documents
- Stay calm and follow instructions carefully
Behind the Wheel FAQ
A licensed driver must accompany you for your driving test. The licensed driver must drive you to the test location and remain behind the wheel until the examiner checks their license. No one other than the applicant, the examiner(s), and an MVA approved interpreter are allowed in the vehicle during the test.
MVA allows the use of approved foreign language interpreters during the Behind the Wheel driving test at the applicant’s expense.
Visit the Accessibility & Accommodations page for the list of approved interpreters.
Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing may request a sign language interpreter by calling 410- 768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 (TTY).
The MVA will schedule a sign language interpreter for the driving test at no cost to the customer.
New drivers must have successfully completed an approved driver education course. The Maryland driving school will electronically submit verification of completion.
New drivers must also present the completed skills practice log and completed certification page along with your unexpired Maryland learner’s instructional permit.
Out of country license holders must present a 3-hour Roadway Safety course certificate.
- Windows must roll up
- Heater and defroster must be operable
- Windshield wipers and washers must be operable and have washer fluid
- If weather conditions are extremely hot, front windows must operate properly.
Your driving test will be terminated immediately if you commit any unsafe action. Examples of some unsafe actions are listed below:
- Failure to wear glasses or contact lenses, if required.
- Failure to properly fasten safety belt (shoulder & lap belt, if equipped with both).
- Exceeding three minutes to complete the closed course exercise.
- Making contact and moving a Cone or Flag on the course.
- Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
- Failure to obey signs, signals, any other traffic law.
- If you are involved in an avoidable crash or if your vehicle makes contact with other vehicles, objects or pedestrians.
- If you commit any unsafe act or if another driver is forced to take evasive action in order to prevent a crash.
- If you put the vehicle over sidewalks or curbs.
- If you do not follow the examiner’s verbal instructions.
- If you impede the flow of traffic unnecessarily.
- If you remove both hands from the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion.
- If the examiner is forced to intervene; either physically or verbally to avoid a collision or unsafe act.
You will have 3 minutes to complete this exercise. You will be asked to drive past an area that represents a driveway or alley.
- You will be required to back your vehicle into the designated area on your right until the front of your vehicle clears the front set of cones.
- You will then be asked to exit the area to the right.
- You will be evaluated on your backing skills, visual skills, judgment of space, use of mirrors and turn signals, steering, braking, acceleration control and general driving skills
Yes, backup cameras and other standard vehicle safety features may remain active. However, you must still demonstrate proper use of mirrors and head checks.