New Apprentice Testing Procedure and Test Content
Updated:
Date: October 18, 2023
Bulletin: Driver Education Program, Apprentice Instructor Testing
From: Business Licensing and Compliance Division
As everyone is aware, we have been making changes to the apprentice test procedure and content in response to industry concerns. Now that all the changes to the written test have been completed and successfully updated in the law room test environment, the follow testing procedures are being instituted. (1)
Procedure
Effective October 23, 2023, the Apprentice Permit Knowledge Test will only be administered at the MVA branch law rooms. This change reinstates the process in effect before March 2023.
The basic skills evaluation will be administered by MVA Compliance Inspectors only and at the candidate’s employing school. The basic skills test will include the practical skills test, which has three parts and may be administered in any order that best meets needs.
- Simulated classroom presentation – 20 minutes
- Behind-the-Wheel driving audit – 20 minutes
- Simulated Behind-the-Wheel lesson – 10 minutes
Candidates must first pass the knowledge test to qualify for the basic skills test. If a candidate fails the knowledge test, they must schedule and retake the knowledge test until they pass. Candidates must wait at least 7 days before being retested. As a reminder, a candidate that fails any combination of the knowledge or skills testing components 5 times must wait at least 1 year before pursuing the apprentice permit again.
Test Content
The content of the knowledge test has been reviewed and updated. All test questions are taken from only 2 sources.
- The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 11.23.01 and 11.23.02
- The Maryland Driver’s Manual
All curriculum-related questions have been removed from the test.
(1) This bulletin updates a March 22, 2023, bulletin