Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

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Driver Licensing - Knowledge Testing

​ Maryland Online Driver Test Tutorial

Have fun with this tutorial – use it as a practice guide to help you prepare for the knowledge test that all new drivers must pass to obtain a learner's permit. About 50% of those who take the knowledge test fail it the first time. So, be sure to study the Maryland Driver’s Manual before you take the test for your learner's permit.

You are allowed a maximum of 20 minutes to complete the driver's knowledge test and a score of 88% or better is required to pass.

This tutorial contains a sample of the topics that will appear on the actual knowledge test.

• Each test includes 25 questions – just like the real knowledge test.
• You can take the untimed version of the test as many times as you need. Link directly to the Maryland Driver's Manual to study each topic.
• Take the timed version to ​see if you can pass it within the 20 minutes allowed.

This tutorial can be used by anyone at anytime. It is a great resource and can be used as a refresher of the basics for driving safely. Current drivers may also find it helpful to learn new motor vehicle laws.

Parents, use it to test yourself while you help your teen learn to drive.

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What type of knowledge test should I take?

There are different knowledge tests for the different types or classes of license offered. Also different rules apply in the testing of:

• Noncommercial d​river's license applicants - includes applicants for noncommercial learner's permit and provisional licenses. A sample knowledge test is available online.
• Commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants - includes applicants for commercial learner's permit.

Note: All electronic devices must be turned off and put away before you begin your knowledge test(s). This includes but is not limited to cell phones (with or without an external blue tooth device), MP3 players, etc. Failure to do so may result in a test disqualification.

• All commercial drivers' license (CDL) knowledge tests as well as the Class A & B noncommercial knowledge tests are only given in English.
• Foreign language interpreters may not assist with any CDL or noncommercial Class A or B knowledge or skills test.
• Applicants who fail the knowledge test(s) are required to schedule an appointment at the branch office or via the MVA website to retake the test(s) at a later date. Oral tests require an appointment and this appointment must be scheduled at the branch office.
• Applicants are eligible to retake the test the next business day after failing for the first time if the branch office has a test appointment available.
• Applicants must wait a minimum of seven (7) calendar days after failing the test two or more times for ANY noncommercial or commercial knowledge test.

The specific knowledge test that you must take depends upon which class of license (A, B, C, or M) or Moped Permit you are applying.

• A typical test for the Noncommercial Class C, the Moped Permit, and the Class M consists of 25 questions.
• A typical test for the Noncommercial Class A and Class B consists of 20 questions.
• Effective September 15, 2014, noncommercial Class A, B, C, M and Moped knowledge test applicants will be allotted a maximum time of 20 minutes to complete their law test. This includes both computer and paper tests.
• A score of 88% or better is required to pass.
• Tests are usually administered on a computer. In addition to administering the knowledge test in English and Spanish, as of 2024 the noncommercial class "C" knowledge test will also be available in American Sign Language, ​Amharic (Afro-Asiatic language), Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yoruba (West Africa). The Maryland Drivers' Manual is available online in these languages.​

Note: Oral tests require an appointment and this appointment must be scheduled at the branch office.

• The use of foreign language interpreters is permitted. Click here for additional information.

All knowledge and skills test passing scores are valid for a maximum of six (6) months. Knowledge and skill tests expire and must be retaken and a new application is required if:

1. The knowledge tests(s) were passed but a learner's permit was not issued.
2. The knowledge test(s) were passed but a skills test was not passed or if passed a new driver's license was not issued.
3. The learner's permit was issued and has expired before being converted to a driver's license.
4. The learner's permit has not expired but the applicant wants to apply for a new permit.
5. The applicant has a license that is expired for one (1) year or more.
6. The applicant is transferring an out-of-county license, has passed the knowledge and possibly the skills test requirements, and does not obtain a driver's license within six (6) months.

What is involved in taking the knowledge test for a commercial driver’s license?

The test version you receive will depend upon the class of license (A, B, or C) you requested.

• Tests are administered on a computer.
• Computer and written tests are in English and Spanish ONLY.
• Computer assisted audio tests are also available if needed without an appointment.
• Oral tests require an appointment and are only given in English by an MVA agent.

All applicants must pass the CDL General Knowledge Test first. Applicants:

• For class A licenses must also pass CDL Combination Vehicle Test.
• Wishing to drive vehicles with air brakes must pass the CDL Air Brakes Test.
• Wishing to drive vehicles requiring placarding must pass the Hazmat Test.
• Wishing to drive school buses, passenger vehicles, tankers or double/triples must pass the applicable test.

If an applicant has a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) learner's permit:

• And they upgrade the class of their permit (C to B); OR
• They take additional knowledge tests to upgrade their permit; OR
• Change from Class C or B to Class A; OR
• Adding endorsements such as Tanker, Passenger and/or School Bus endorsement(s) OR
• Wish to remove the "L" No Air Brake Vehicles restriction;

The applicant must wait a minimum of fourteen (14) days from the date the corrected permit is issued before they are eligible to take a skills test in the upgraded permit if they choose to test in the newly added class test vehicle or endorsement.

All knowledge and skills test passing scores are valid for a maximum of six (6) months. Knowledge and skills tests expire and must be retaken and a new application is required if:

1. The knowledge tests(s) were passed but a learner's permit was not issued.
2. The knowledge test(s) were passed but a skills test was not passed or if passed a new driver's license was not issued.
3. The learner's permit was issued and has expired before being converted to a driver's license.
4. The learner's permit has not expired but the applicant wants to apply for a new permit.
5. The applicant has a license that is expired for one (1) year or more.
6. The applicant is transferring an out-of-county license, has passed the knowledge and possibly the skills test requirements, and does not obtain a driver's license within six (6) months.

Fees:

• There is no MVA fee for taking a knowledge test. Fees are associated with the cost of issuing the learners/license.
• If you request to have a foreign language interpreter, the MVA does not pay the interpreter fee (fees charged by the interpreter are arranged between the interpreter are arranged between applicant and interpreter.)
• If you are hearing impaired, the MVA will pay the interpreter fee and set up the test appointment for you. Please contact the MVA Customer Service Center for additional information.

MVA
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center:
1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Im​paired:
1-800-492-4575 ​​​