Behind-the-Wheel Tests
Welcome to the new MVA.Maryland.gov!
You’ve reached the new website for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Thanks for visiting!
Important reminders
Practice before your test. Preparation increases your chances of passing on your first attempt.
On test day, arrive early. Make sure your vehicle meets safety standards, and bring all required documents.
During your test, stay calm and follow instructions carefully.
The Maryland behind-the-wheel driving test measures your ability to safely operate a noncommercial Class C vehicle in real traffic conditions.
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.
Learn more about Maryland's graduated licensing system for new drivers.
How to schedule your driving test
Appointments are required for all behind-the-wheel driving tests. Schedule your appointment through your myMVA account.
Choose your location, date and time carefully. Arrive early on test day. Late arrivals may require rescheduling.
What to bring to your driving test
Your vehicle
You must provide a vehicle for the test. If you use a rental vehicle, your name must appear as an authorized driver on the rental agreement.
The vehicle must have:
- Valid registration with front and rear tags
- Valid proof of insurance
- Safe, properly inflated tires with adequate tread
- Working headlights, brake lights and turn signals
- Working brakes, horn, mirrors, and door handles and locks
- A parking break that the examiner can access
- At least half a tank of gas
- No windshield cracks that block the driver's view
- No loose objects that could become hazards inside the vehicle
- No serious dashboard warning lights on, such as Check Engine or ABS/Brake lights.
If the vehicle fails the safety inspection, the test will not proceed.
Your required documents
On test day, bring:
- Your valid learner’s permit
- Your signed practice skills log (if required)
- Verification of driver education completion (if applicable)
- Vehicle registration for the vehicle you are using
- Proof of insurance
- A supervising driver with valid license
If required documents are missing, your test may be canceled.
What to expect during your driving test
The Behind-the-Wheel Driving Skills Test has two parts.
- Closed course — checks your basic vehicle control skills
- Public road — evaluates your ability to drive safely in real traffic
You must pass the closed course portion before continuing to the public road portion.
Closed course driving
The test starts with a closed course exercise. . You may be asked to complete maneuvers such as backing, turning, and other low-speed control exercises.
One required exercise is the reverse two-point turnabout. The examiner will evaluate 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.
Public road driving
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 awareness of traffic conditions and intersections
The goal is to confirm that you can drive safely and responsibly in real traffic.
If too many basic driving errors are accumulated, the test will be stopped. You will be asked to pull over to a safe place, and the examiner will drive the vehicle back to the MVA.
After your driving test
If you pass:
- Your results will be processed
- Your driver’s license will be mailed to you and will arrive in 7-10 business days
If you do not pass:
- You must wait at least one business day before retesting
- You must schedule a new appointment
Use the feedback provided to practice and improve before your next attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Behind the Wheel FAQ
Yes. A licensed driver must drive you to the test location and remain behind the wheel until the examiner checks their license. During the test, only you, the examiner(s), and an MVA-approved interpreter are allowed in the vehicle.
Spoken language interpreters: MVA allows approved interpreters during the behind-the-wheel driving test at your expense. Visit the Accessibility & Accommodations page for the list of approved interpreters.
Sign language interpreters: If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may request a sign language interpreter at no cost. Call 410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 (TTY) to request one for your driving test.
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.
Your vehicle must be prepared for the conditions. The following must be working:
- Windows that fully roll up
- Heater and defroster
- Windshield wipers, washers and washer fluid
You will be tested in the conditions present unless the MVA closes for safety reasons. If the MVA needs to close due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will be contacted to reschedule.
Your driving test will be stopped right away if you do anything unsafe.
Examples of unsafe actions include:
- Not wearing required glasses or contact lenses
- Not properly fastening your seatbelt
- Taking more than three minutes to complete the closed course exercise
- Making contact with 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 or any other traffic law.
- Being involved in an avoidable crash or makeing contact with other vehicles, objects or pedestrians.
- Committing any unsafe act or forcing another driver to take evasive action to prevent a crash
- Driving over sidewalks or curbs.
- Not following the examiner’s verbal instructions
- Impeding the flow of traffic unnecessarily
- Removing both hands from the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion
- Requiring the examiner to intervene physically or verbally to avoid a collision or unsafe act
You will be asked to drive past an area that represents a driveway or alley. Follow these steps:
- Back your vehicle into the designated area on your right until the front of your vehicle clears the front set of cones.
- Exit the area to the right.
The examiner will evaluate your backing skills, visual skills, judgment of space, use of mirrors and turn signals, steering, braking, acceleration control and general driving skills. You will have three minutes to complete the exercise.
Yes, backup cameras and other standard vehicle safety features may remain active. However, you must demonstrate proper use of mirrors and head checks.
You need to have a valid learner’s permit to take your test. If you forget it, you can reschedule your test or obtain a duplicate permit at the MVA before your test.
Be sure you have all the documents you need for identity, Maryland residency, including proof of relationship to your parent/guardian. You can either use the myMVA Online Document Guide or the list you receive when you schedule your appointment.
Questions? We can help.
Contact us if you have questions or need more information.