Maryland Resources

Official, authoritative sources for Maryland driver licensing and vehicle matters — always confirm current rules here before your exam or a DMV visit, not just from practice questions.

• Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (Maryland MVA) — official website

  Start here for anything not covered below — the agency's own homepage links out to every other service it runs.

• Maryland Driver's Manual (PDF)

  The full official handbook this site's practice questions and cheat sheet are drawn from.

• Find a Maryland MVA office near you

  Most license and registration transactions still require an in-person visit at least once — check current hours and, where offered, book an appointment before you go.

• Register or title a vehicle in Maryland

  What you'll need to title and register a car you just bought or brought in from another state.

• New to Maryland? License and residency requirements

  The official rules on transferring an out-of-state license and how residency itself gets determined.

• Apply for a REAL ID in Maryland

  See "Do I need a REAL ID?" below before you start — it's an extra, in-person step beyond a standard license.

Just moved to Maryland?

New Maryland residents must get a Maryland driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency (30 days for a commercial license), and must title and register a vehicle within that same 60-day window. See the official new-resident and vehicle registration links above for the full requirements.

Minimum car insurance in Maryland

Maryland requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash for bodily injury plus $15,000 per crash for property damage (30/60/15), with matching uninsured motorist coverage and $2,500 in personal injury protection (PIP) required on every policy. You'll need proof of coverage to register a vehicle, and again if you're ever stopped or in a crash — carrying only the state minimum is legal, but it may not cover the full cost of a serious accident you cause.

Renewing your license

A Maryland driver's license is valid for up to 8 years and can typically be renewed online if it's REAL ID-compliant, the license photo is less than 16 years old, and there are no outstanding suspensions or required vision retests -- otherwise renewal requires an in-person MVA visit.

Do you need a REAL ID?

Since May 7, 2025, the TSA has required a REAL ID-compliant license or ID — marked with a star in the upper right corner — or a valid passport to fly domestically or enter certain federal buildings. A standard license still works for driving; REAL ID only matters for federal ID purposes. Getting one for the first time requires an in-person visit even in states that otherwise support fully online renewal, since it's a federal identity requirement, not just a state license update. See how to apply in Maryland above for the exact documents you'll need.

Deadlines, fees, and coverage minimums change — always confirm current details onMaryland MVA's own site before you rely on them.