Maryland Drivers License

NEW DRIVERS: maryland drivers license

Proof of identity and residency are required of all applicants for a new Maryland driver’s license, learner’s permit or identification (ID) card; please use the online document guide to assist you with what to bring to the MVA.( maryland drivers license )

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will verify the information provided on your application to determine eligibility.

All applicants for a driver’s license are checked with the National Driver Registry. If your license is suspended, revoked, canceled or refused, you are not eligible for a Maryland driver’s license.

Drivers must meet certain vision requirements. Visit the MVA’s vision requirements page for additional information.

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is now printing/mailing one of the most secure driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and identification (ID) cards in the nation. All cards are now delivered through the mail within 4-7 business days. The new cards incorporate cutting-edge security features to help protect against identity theft and fraud. The new cards also meet all state and federal standards and are REAL ID compliant. As always, we encourage customers to Skip the Trip and renew their driver’s license or ID card via web, kiosk and mail. The MVA’s online services can be found here. Much more information on our new secure cards, including how to expedite delivery of the new products, can be found here.

Immigrants with temporary lawful status in the U.S. will be issued a limited term driver’s license or ID card, valid for the duration of their lawful status in the U.S.

If you are seeking a Maryland driver’s license and have a foreign license that is not suspended or revoked, please complete the 3-hour alcohol and drug education program and present the license before taking your driving skills test. If you do not have a foreign license, you will need to obtain a learner’s permit, complete the Maryland Driver Education Program and meet other requirements before taking your driving skills test.

Immigrants, presenting foreign documentation without valid accompanying United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation, can obtain a federally noncompliant Maryland driver’s license or ID card. Please visit the online document guide for more detailed instructions.

RENEWALS FOR ELIGIBLE DRIVERS

To improve customer service and reduce wait times, certain customers under the age of 40, who are eligible, must renew their driver’s license online, or by mail or MDOT MVA Kiosk.

Due to federal requirements, certain customers will be notified upon renewal to provide MDOT MVA with required documents. If you have already been notified, Click here to create your checklist and schedule an appointment to visit an MDOT MVA branch office.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR LICENSE CORRECTION

To request a change of address card, a corrected driver’s license or ID card, please complete the transaction online here or by MVA kiosk.

An additional fee applies for new, corrected licenses or ID cards. A change of address card is sent at no extra cost, as an attachment, which should be stored with the license or ID card. The new license, ID card or attachment card will be mailed.

DUPLICATE DRIVER’S LICENSE OR ID CARD

Please request a duplicate driver’s license or ID card online with the new online option her​e​ or by MVA kiosk. These transactions are no longer handled over the counter and the duplicate driver’s license or ID card is mailed to the address on record at the MVA.

MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD REFERRALS

For the safety of all drivers, the MVA’s Medical Advisory Board must consider your medical status as part of your license request. Please be assured that all medical information is kept confidential and is only reviewed by the MVA’s Medical Advisory Board physician.

All drivers are required to report medical conditions to the MVA, including:

1. Diabetes that has caused a low blood sugar episode requiring assistance from another person in the last 6 months
2. Epilepsy
3. Seizure
4. A heart condition that has caused a loss of consciousness in the past 6 months
5. Stroke
6. A condition that causes you to have dizzy spells, fainting, or blackouts
7. Sleep apnea or narcolepsy
8. A history of traumatic brain injury
9. A condition that causes weakness, shaking, or numbness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet that may affect your ability to drive
10. A hand, arm, foot, or leg that is absent, amputated, or has a loss of function that may affect your ability to drive
11. An eye problem which prevents a corrected minimum visual acuity of 20/70 in at least one eye or binocular field of vision of at least 110 degrees
12. Alcohol use problem
13. Drug use problem
14. A mental health condition that may affect your ability to drive
15. Schizophrenia
16. Dementia

A corrected license can be issued for changes to one’s name, address, height, or weight, to add or remove an organ donor designation, to add or remove certain restrictions or to add a veteran status designation. 

• ​Change your address: You may do so online with myMVA​ or at an MVA self-service kiosk. 
• Change Organ donor designation: You may do so online with myMVA or at an MVA self-service kiosk.
• Changes to weight, height, or Veterans Status: Please make an appointment. Select Driver’s Services and then ‘Correct My Maryland Driver’s License (Name Change).’
• Change your name:
  • ​Please make an appointment. Select Driver’s Services and then ‘Correct My Maryland Driver’s License (Name Change).’
  • If you are using a name other than your birth name, or changing the name on your current Maryland license, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court ordered name change, to the MVA to correct your license. 
  • If presenting a valid U.S. Passport and the name on your passport reflects your name change (already has your new name), you are not required to present additional name change documents.

IMPORTANT: For all name changes – marriage, divorce, etc., please update your name with the Social Security Administration first, and if possible bring proof of that change with you to your MDOT MVA appointment. Please allow 72 hours for your name change to be recorded with the Social Security Administration before your MDOT MVA appointment.

There is a fee for a corrected license. But there is no fee for the change of address card, which should be carried with your license. You will be mailed the card or corrected license.

Duplicate Driver’s License or ID Card

Please request a duplicate driver’s license or ID card online with the new online option here or by MVA Self-Serve Kiosk. These transactions will no longer be handled over the counter and the duplicate driver’s license or ID card will be mailed to the address on record at the MVA.

Lost Maryland License or Permit

You must obtain a duplicate driver’s license or permit online. The license or card will be mailed to the address on record at the MVA. Please click here.

Stolen Maryland License or Permit

If your license has been stolen, you must apply in person at an MVA branch office for a duplicate license providing there are no changes to the information on your license. Please follow the instructions here. Refer to the sources of proof for examples of documentation to prove your identity when you visit the MVA branch office.

Maryland Provisional to Regular License

Please visit our Maryland Graduated Licensing Sys​​tem page for more information on how to convert your provisional license to a regular driver’s license.

Exchanging an Out-of-State License for a Maryland License

New Maryland residents must obtain a Maryland driver’s license within 60 days for a noncommercial driver’s license and within 30 days if it is a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

• You will need your out-of-state license(s), if you do not have the license in your possession, you will need to present a certified driving record from the licensing agency.
• You must pass a vision screening and one that is provided by a doctor must have been administered within the previous 24 months.
  • The vision screening can be administered at the MVA branch office; or
  • You can submit a completed vision screening form (DL-043A)

If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland provisional license. Click here for more information on the provisional license​.

• If your license is expired for one year or more, you are required to pass a knowledge and driver’s skills test.
• Proof of age, identity and residency, are required. Please use the our online document guide to determine what you will need to bring with you to the MVA branch office.
• Please pay the required fees.
• An out-of-state learner’s permit cannot be exchanged for a Maryland learner’s permit. You must meet all the requirements of a new learner’s permit.
• You will be asked to surrender your out-of-state driver’s license before you can obtain a Maryland one.

Active Military

1. If you are on active duty military, some states grant an extension of the driver’s license validity period. The extension is for active duty U.S. military personnel and their dependants while they are stationed outside of their home licensing state. If the out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for one (1) year or more and the state grants a military extension, you will be required to provide:

• Acceptable proof of your current active duty status or military dependant status (i.e. military photo ID card), or
• Recent discharge records (each state grants a certain amount of days after discharge, and depending on your state’s extension, the testing requirements can be waived);and
• Proof of age, identity and residency, use our online document guide to determine what you will need to bring with you; and
• Pass a vision screening; and
• Pay the required fees.

​Exchanging an Armed Forces License for a Maryland License

U.S. Armed Forces Military operators permits or licenses are not recognized as proof of having a current driver’s license. Armed force’s licenses must be accompanied by a U.S. state or a foreign country driver’s license.

If applicants are unable to provide acceptable proof of ever holding a license from another state or country, they must be processed as a new driver and must complete all of the Maryland Graduated Licensing Syst​em requirements.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration assists veterans in their transition from their military occupation (driving commercial vehicles) to a civilian career. Please visit our commercial driver’s license page for more information about the process.