Maryland Graduated Driver’s License Program
In 2014, about 643 drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents that took the lives of 442 people. Of those drivers, 36 were under the age of 20 down from a ten-year high of 107 drivers in 2006. Part of this decline is due to the state’s implementation of a three stage program that allows new drivers extra time to gain the experience they need to be safe on the roads.
In phase one this program, teens aged 15 years and nine months can get their learner’s permit. They must have this permit for at least nine months, during which time they are to get at least 60 hours of supervised driving experience and 10 or more of those hours must be acquired at night. The driving supervisor must be at least 21 years of age and must have at least three years of licensed driving experience.
When the teen reaches 16 years and six months, they can take the road test for an intermediate, restricted license, provided they have no convictions or probation before judgment for moving violations.
During this second phase, the driver can be unsupervised except between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless travel is for school, sports, church, or job. For the first five months of having the restricted license, the driver is banned from having any passengers under the age of 18 unless they are immediate family members.
When the driver turns 18, they can get an unrestricted license with full privileges.
If you are convicted for using a wireless communication device, your license will be suspended for at least 90 days. Also, if you violate the passenger restriction or the night-time driving restrictions while on your intermediate license, your driving privileges will be suspended for 12 months.