How To Get A Maryland License

Maryland Driver's License

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The information below pertains to a regular non-commercial driver's license, click here if you have or wish to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL).

Renewing a Maryland License
If You Have Never Held a Driver's License, click here
Correcting a Maryland License
Duplicate Maryland License
Lost Maryland License or Permit
New to Maryland
Stolen Maryland License or Permit
Provisional to Regular License
Exchanging an Out of State License
Exchanging an Armed Forces License
Exchanging an Out of Country License

Renewing Your Maryland License

Click here for complete information on renewing your Maryland license.

Correcting/Changing Your Maryland License or Permit

IMPORTANT: F or 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.

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 is your current name on your driver's license, you are not required to present additional name change documents.

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. To change your address or organ donor designation, you may do so online, here or at an MVA self-serve kiosk. For changes to weight, height, or to add Veterans Status please make an appointment for a Driver's License/ID Correction. You can also complete the change of address form (VR-154) and mail it to the MVA.

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.

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 System 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-043 or 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

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 System 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.

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

Proof of age, identity and residency, are required, use our online document guide to determine what you will need to bring with you to the MVA branch office.

You must present the out-of-country license (may be valid or expired.)
- If you do not have your license, you must present a driving record from the country's license issuing authority. The driving record should be accompanied by an apostille or a letter from the country's embassy verifying the driving record.
The out-of-country license may be required to be accompanied by an international driver's license or translated into English by an approved MVA translator.
You must pass a vision screening and one that is provided by a doctor must have been administered within the previous 24 months.
You must complete a 3-hour drug & alcohol education program if you have never been licensed in the U.S.
You must pass a knowledge test and a driving test in a motor vehicle that you must provide. However, if you are converting or transferring a valid driver's license that has not been expired for more than one year from the following places, you do not have to take the knowledge and skills test. The license must have been issued by a U.S. Territory; American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Northern Mariana. If you were born before September 30, 1979 in the Panama Canal Zone, or the license is from Canada, Yukon Territory, or France you do not have to take the tests. However, if your license is from the Republic of Korea (South), the Federal Republic of Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) or Japan and it is expired, you will have to take all tests. Please click here for more information about international applicants.
If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.
If you have never held a license, you must obtain a learner's permit.
Pay the required fees.