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Maryland driving lesson · Getting Your License

The Provisional License

A 2-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Getting Your License
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
10

The Provisional License is the middle stage. You can drive alone, but with restrictions such as limits on passengers and night driving, while you prove you can drive without violations.

Provisional Driver's License

A license for new drivers who have never held one. It permits driving without supervision, but with restrictions.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
18 months

Minimum time you hold a Provisional License before a regular Driver's License

Handbook p. 10 ↗

To move from a permit to a Provisional License you must:

  • Have completed a Maryland-approved driver education program
  • Have a valid, unexpired Learner's Instructional Permit
  • Have held the permit without violations for the required time
  • Have no moving-violation convictions or PBJs during that time
  • Submit a signed Practice and Skills Log (60 hours, or 14 if you are 25+)
  • Pass the driving skills test
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

Your permit must be valid and unexpired when you upgrade. An expired permit does not qualify.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

A conviction or a probation before judgment for a moving violation during your permit period keeps you from graduating on schedule.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Put it into practice

You finished driver ed and logged 60 hours, but your permit expired last week. You can't take the step to a Provisional License yet, because one requirement is a valid, unexpired permit.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is a key feature of a Provisional Driver's License?
  1. It requires a supervising driver at all times
  2. It only allows daytime driving on weekdays
  3. Unsupervised driving, with restrictions
  4. Unrestricted driving at any hour

Answer: Unsupervised driving, with restrictions

A Provisional License lets you drive unsupervised, but with restrictions such as limits on passengers and night driving.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
How long must you hold a Provisional Driver's License before being eligible for a regular Driver's License?
  1. At least 9 months
  2. At least 6 months
  3. At least 24 months
  4. At least 18 months

Answer: At least 18 months

You must hold the Provisional License for at least 18 months before you can graduate to a full Driver's License.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
What must you submit to graduate from a Learner's Permit to a Provisional License?
  1. A signed Practice and Skills Log
  2. A doctor's note
  3. A copy of your school transcript
  4. A certificate of insurance

Answer: A signed Practice and Skills Log

You must submit a signed Practice and Skills Log showing you completed the required practice hours.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
You can graduate to a Provisional License even if you were convicted of a moving violation during your required holding period.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

You must not have been convicted of, or granted probation before judgment for, any moving violation during the required holding period.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
What must you NOT have been convicted of during your permit holding period to graduate to a Provisional License?
  1. A parking ticket
  2. A vehicle registration lapse
  3. A minor equipment violation
  4. Any moving violation

Answer: Any moving violation

You must not have been convicted of, or granted probation before judgment for, any moving violation during your permit holding period.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
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