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MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration

New Legislation and changes to the Driver Education Curriculum

Bulletin | February 13, 2026

Updated:

Date: August 30, 2024
Bulletin: Driver Education Program Providers
From: Business Licensing and Compliance

Purpose
In response to new laws, several changes have been made to the Driver Education Curriculum and the 3 Hour Alcohol and Drug Education curriculum.

Summary 

  • As of July 1, 2023, the use of recreational cannabis became legal in the state of Maryland. Slides 36 and 37 of the 3 Hour Alcohol and Drug Education curriculum have been altered to reflect that change, as well as communicate appropriate choices.
  • As of June 1, 2024, work zones are required to be equipped with new signage. There must be a sign indicating the beginning of a work zone and another indicating the end of the work zone. In addition, the work zone must display a sign with flashing blue lights that are active anytime the work zone itself is active. The Drivers Education curriculum was updated. Slide 24 in Unit 7 was added to convey this message and includes examples of signage.
  • As of October 1, 2024, the left lane of multi-lane highways in Maryland is primarily used for passing and not as a travel lane. The new law prohibits traveling in the left lane at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour below the general flow of traffic, which cannot exceed the posted speed limit. This information has been added to Unit 7, slide 37, in the talking points of the Drivers Education curriculum.
  • As of October 1, 2024, there are new sanctions for failing to yield the right of way to bicyclists lawfully operating in marked bike lanes, on road shoulders, or in crosswalks if that failure to yield results in a crash. The new sanctions include a possible fine of $2000.00, up to 2 months in prison, and 3 points on the offender’s driving record. The prison sentence may be imposed in place of or in addition to the fine. This information is represented in Unit 5, slide 12 in the Drivers Education curriculum.

These changes will be available for download on September 1, 2024. Log onto the website containing the curriculum and download all relevant units listed above. Replace the units currently in use with the new units.

School owners are responsible for assuring that all instructors are familiar with these changes.