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Maryland driver handbook guide

Maryland driver handbook guide.

Use this guide to navigate the 22 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s Maryland course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 57 companion lessons.

Read the handbook in Roadwise Open source PDF
Handbook chapters
22
Source PDF pages
56
Companion lessons
57
Licensing agency
MVA

A way through the handbook

Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.

For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.

Chapter list

  1. Introduction Source p. 1
  2. Section 1: Driving Tests Requirements Source p. 7
  3. Section 2: Licensing Requirements and Process Source p. 9
  4. Provisional License and Driver's License Source p. 10
  5. Out-of-Country Licenses and Equity for All Customers Source p. 11
  6. Section 3: Basic Driving Source p. 13
  7. Passing and General Parking Rules Source p. 16
  8. Section 4: Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings Source p. 17
  9. Traffic Signs Source p. 20
  10. Pavement Markings Source p. 24
  11. Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions Source p. 27
  12. Highway-Railroad Crossings and Work Zone Safety Source p. 30
  13. Traffic Circles, Interstates, Funerals and Slow Vehicles Source p. 31
  14. Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors Source p. 33
  15. Section 7: Sharing the Road Source p. 37
  16. Motorcycles and Bicycles Source p. 39
  17. Mopeds, Scooters and Vehicle Technologies Source p. 41
  18. Section 8: Crashes and Traffic Stops Source p. 43
  19. Section 9: Other Restrictions, Violations and Penalties Source p. 47
  20. Penalties and Disability Parking Source p. 49
  21. Section 10: Other Important Information Source p. 51
  22. Rules and Tips for Bicyclists Source p. 53

What you will find in each chapter

Chapter 1 · source p. 1

Introduction

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Md_Mva
  • December 2025 Edition
  • Administrator’s Message
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 2 · source p. 7

Section 1: Driving Tests Requirements

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Vision Screening
  • B. Knowledge Test
  • C. Driving Skills Test
  • Driving Tests Requirements
  • D. Reportable Medical Conditions
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 3 · source p. 9

Section 2: Licensing Requirements and Process

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Licensing System
  • B. Learner’s Instructional Permit and Process
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 4 · source p. 10

Provisional License and Driver's License

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Violations
  • C. Provisional License
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 5 · source p. 11

Out-of-Country Licenses and Equity for All Customers

This chapter’s sections include:

  • D. Driver’s License a License
  • Minor’s License
  • G. Out-of-Country Licenses For Foreign Language Customers
  • For Customers with Disabilities
  • Disclosure Card
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 6 · source p. 13

Section 3: Basic Driving

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Drive Defensively
  • Visual Search/Driver Awareness
  • Risk Management
  • B. Right-of-Way
  • Basic Driving
  • C. Understanding Vehicle Speed
  • Speeding
  • Appropriate Speed for Conditions
  • D. Following Distance
  • E. Stopping Distance
  • F. Lane Driving
  • G. Turning
  • H. U-turn
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 7 · source p. 16

Passing and General Parking Rules

This chapter’s sections include:

  • I. Passing
  • J. General Parking Rules
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 8 · source p. 17

Section 4: Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Pavement Markings
  • 1. Steady Red Signal
  • Traffic Signals
  • 2. Steady Yellow Signal
  • 3. Steady Green Signal
  • 4. Steady Red Arrow Signal
  • 5. Steady Yellow Arrow Signal
  • 6. Steady Green Arrow Signal
  • 7. Flashing Red Signal
  • 8. Flashing Yellow Signal
  • 9. Flashing Red Arrow Signal
  • 10. Lane Use Signals
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 9 · source p. 20

Traffic Signs

This chapter’s sections include:

  • 1. 8-Sided Sign, White Letters on Red
  • 2. 3-Sided Sign, Red Letters on White
  • 3. Rectangular (4-Sided) Signs, Black on White
  • Overhead Lane Use
  • Mile Marker Signs
  • Route Marker Signs and Guide Signs
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 10 · source p. 24

Pavement Markings

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Single Broken - White
  • Single Broken - Yellow
  • Single Solid - White
  • Single Solid - Yellow
  • Broken - Yellow
  • Solid - White
  • Solid - Yellow
  • Solid plus Broken - Yellow
  • White
  • Word and Symbol Markings
  • Stop Line
  • Yield Lines drıver
  • Caucasian male Latin Male Latin female A drıver
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 11 · source p. 27

Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Driving in Reduced Visibility
  • When to Use Your Headlights
  • Low Beam or High Beam Headlights
  • B. Driving at Night
  • C. Driving in Fog
  • D. Driving in Inclement Weather
  • Driving on Snow/Ice
  • E. Skidding
  • F. Hydroplaning
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 12 · source p. 30

Highway-Railroad Crossings and Work Zone Safety

This chapter’s sections include:

  • G. Highway-Railroad Crossings
  • H. Work Zone Safety
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 13 · source p. 31

Traffic Circles, Interstates, Funerals and Slow Vehicles

This chapter’s sections include:

  • I. Traffic Circles (Roundabouts)
  • Access Highways For Vehicles Entering For Vehicles Exiting
  • Stopping
  • K. Funeral Processions
  • L. Slow Moving Vehicles
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 14 · source p. 33

Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving
  • Under 21 – Alcohol Not Allowed
  • Open Alcohol Container
  • (CDS) – Illegal and Prescription Drugs
  • Driving with Children
  • B. Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
  • C. Distracted Driving
  • Cell Phones
  • D. Drowsy Driving
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Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 15 · source p. 37

Section 7: Sharing the Road

This chapter’s sections include:

  • C. Large Trucks and Buses
  • A. Pedestrian Right-of-Way
  • Crossing at Crosswalks
  • B. Emergency Vehicles
  • D. School Buses
  • No-Zones
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 16 · source p. 39

Motorcycles and Bicycles

This chapter’s sections include:

  • E. Motorcycles
  • F. Bicycles
  • Expect Bicyclists on the Road
  • Right-of-Way
  • Bicyclists on Sidewalks
  • Following a Bicyclist
  • 3 Feet and Driveways
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 17 · source p. 41

Mopeds, Scooters and Vehicle Technologies

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Driving at Night
  • Watch for Children
  • G. Mopeds and Scooters
  • H. Understanding Vehicle Technologies
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 18 · source p. 43

Section 8: Crashes and Traffic Stops

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Crashes
  • B. Roadside Emergencies
  • Find a Safe Place
  • C. Traffic Stops
  • D. Move Over Law
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Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 19 · source p. 47

Section 9: Other Restrictions, Violations and Penalties

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Restrictions
  • Seat Belt Restriction
  • Passenger Restriction
  • Nighttime Restriction
  • Wireless Device Restriction
  • Consent or Learner’s Instructional Permit
  • D. Administrative Actions
  • Suspension of Driver’s License
  • Revocation of Driver’s License
  • Cancellation of Driver’s License
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 20 · source p. 49

Penalties and Disability Parking

This chapter’s sections include:

  • E. Penalties
  • Penalties for Minors
  • Penalties for Adults
  • License Plates and Placards
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 21 · source p. 51

Section 10: Other Important Information

This chapter’s sections include:

  • A. Medical Conditions to Report to MVA and Responsibilities
  • C. Organ Donor
  • D. Register to Vote
  • E. Insurance Requirements
  • F. Seat Belt Law
  • G. Child Safety Seats
  • H. Air Bags
  • System (ABS)
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 22 · source p. 53

Rules and Tips for Bicyclists

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Earplugs Prohibited
  • K. Parallel Parking
  • Three-Point Turn
  • M. Rules and Tips for Bicyclists
  • Electric Bicycles
  • Types of Electric Bicycles
  • Electric Low-Speed Vehicles
Open this handbook chapter

Turn the reading into a study routine

The Maryland course groups the source material into 9 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.

Unit 1 · 7 lessons

Getting Your License

Tests, permits, and the graduated system

  1. Vision, knowledge & driving skills tests
  2. Applying & the Graduated Licensing System
  3. Learner's permits: types & who can apply
  4. Practice hours & how long to hold your permit
  5. The Provisional License
  6. The full Driver's License & co-signers
  7. Out-of-country licenses, interpreters & accommodations

Unit 2 · 6 lessons

Basic Driving Rules

Right-of-way, speed, following distance, passing

  1. Defensive driving & right-of-way
  2. Speed limits & safe speed
  3. Following & stopping distance
  4. Lane driving, turning & U-turns
  5. Passing rules
  6. General parking rules

Unit 3 · 8 lessons

Signs, Signals & Markings

What every shape, color, and line means

  1. Traffic control devices & steady signals
  2. Arrows, flashing signals & lane-use signals
  3. Crosswalk (pedestrian) signals
  4. Sign shapes & colors
  5. Regulatory signs
  6. Warning signs
  7. Guide, route & service signs
  8. Pavement markings

Unit 4 · 8 lessons

Driving Conditions

Weather, railroads, work zones, highways

  1. Reduced visibility & headlight rules
  2. Night driving & fog
  3. Rain, snow & ice
  4. Skids & hydroplaning
  5. Railroad crossings
  6. Work zones
  7. Traffic circles & interstate driving
  8. Funeral processions & slow-moving vehicles

Unit 5 · 4 lessons

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Alcohol, aggression, distraction, drowsiness

  1. Alcohol, drugs & driving
  2. Aggressive driving & road rage
  3. Distracted driving & cell phones
  4. Drowsy driving

Unit 6 · 8 lessons

Sharing the Road

Pedestrians, trucks, buses, motorcycles, bikes

  1. Pedestrians & crosswalks
  2. Emergency vehicles & large trucks
  3. Truck & bus no-zones
  4. School buses
  5. Motorcycles
  6. Bicycles: sharing the lane
  7. Bicycles at intersections, at night & children
  8. Mopeds, scooters & driver-assist technology

Unit 7 · 5 lessons

Crashes & Traffic Stops

What to do when something goes wrong

  1. Crashes with injuries & when to call police
  2. Minor crashes, unattended property & animals
  3. Roadside emergencies
  4. Traffic stops
  5. Maryland's Move Over Law

Unit 8 · 5 lessons

Restrictions & Penalties

GDL rules, implied consent, and violations

  1. GDL restrictions: belts, passengers, night & phones
  2. Implied consent & false IDs
  3. Suspension, revocation & cancellation
  4. Penalties for Provisional License violations
  5. Disability parking spaces, plates & placards

Unit 9 · 6 lessons

Other Important Rules

Medical, insurance, seats, parking tests, bikes

  1. Medical conditions, supervising drivers & organ donation
  2. Insurance, seat belts & child safety seats
  3. Air bags, anti-lock brakes & headsets
  4. Driving test maneuvers: parking & three-point turn
  5. Rules & equipment for bicyclists
  6. Electric bicycles & electric low-speed vehicles