The Maryland Permit Test Has 25 Questions

The Maryland written permit test contains 25 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 19 of them correctly to pass — that is a score of 76 percent. The test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and Maryland traffic laws.

You take the test at a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office on a computer. The test is not timed, so you can take as long as you need to read each question and choose your answer. Most people finish in 15 to 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • The Maryland permit test has 25 questions, and you need to score 76 percent (19 correct answers) to pass.
  • All questions are multiple-choice and appear on a computer screen at the MVA office.
  • The test covers road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices specific to Maryland.
  • You can retake the test the same day if you fail, though some MVA offices may have limits on how many times you can test in one visit.

What Topics the Test Covers

The 25 questions draw from the Maryland Driver's Manual, which you receive when you request a permit. The test focuses on four main areas: recognizing and understanding road signs, knowing when to yield and who has the right of way, following Maryland traffic laws, and practicing safe driving habits.

Road sign questions ask you to identify what a sign means — for example, what a yellow diamond with an arrow means, or what a red octagon tells you to do. Right-of-way questions describe a situation at an intersection or road and ask who should go first. Traffic law questions cover speed limits, parking rules, seat belt requirements, and distracted driving laws in Maryland. Safe driving questions address things like following distance, how to handle skids, and what to do in bad weather.

The MVA does not publish the exact questions in advance, but the Driver's Manual contains the information you need to answer them. Most people study the manual for a few days or a week before taking the test.

How to Prepare for the 25-Question Test

Start by reading the Maryland Driver's Manual from beginning to end. The manual is free and available online at the MVA website or in print at any MVA office. Read it carefully — do not skim. The test questions come directly from the information in this manual.

After you finish reading, take practice tests. The MVA website offers a free online practice test with questions in the same format and difficulty as the real test. Take it more than once. If you miss questions, go back to the manual and reread the section that covers that topic. Many people take the practice test two or three times until they score above 80 percent.

You can also study with a parent, friend, or sibling by having them quiz you on the manual. Some people find it helpful to make flashcards of road signs or to write out answers to practice questions by hand.

Retaking the Test If You Do Not Pass

If you score below 76 percent, you can retake the test. Many MVA offices allow you to test again the same day, though you may have to wait a short time between attempts. Some offices have a policy that limits retakes to a certain number per day — check with your local MVA office about their specific rules.

Each time you retake the test, you pay the permit fee again. There is no charge for retaking, but you do pay the full permit process fee. Before you retake the test, spend more time studying the areas where you struggled. Review the manual and take the practice test again, focusing on the topics you found hardest.

What Happens After You Pass

Once you pass the 25-question test, you receive your Maryland learner's permit. This permit allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult in the car. In Maryland, you must hold your learner's permit for at least six months before you can take the road test for your full license.

Your learner's permit comes with restrictions: you cannot drive alone, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you must follow all traffic laws. The permit is valid for two years, so you have time to practice and prepare for the road test.

Testing Locations and What to Bring

You take the written permit test at any Maryland MVA office. You can find the office nearest you and check their hours on the MVA website. Some offices are busier than others, so arriving early or going on a weekday morning can mean a shorter wait.

Bring your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth (such as a birth certificate), and proof of your address (such as a utility bill or lease). You also need to bring payment for the permit fee, which varies depending on how long you want your permit to be valid. Bring a form of payment the MVA accepts — check the office website to see whether they take cash, card, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study for the permit test online?

Yes. The Maryland MVA website has a free online practice test that mimics the real test. You can also read the Driver's Manual online. Some third-party websites offer practice tests as well, though the official MVA practice test is the most reliable because it uses the same format and types of questions as the real test.

How long is the permit test?

The test itself is not timed, so you can spend as much time as you need on each question. Most people finish in 15 to 30 minutes. The entire visit to the MVA office, including waiting and processing, usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

What if I fail the permit test?

You can retake it. Many MVA offices let you test again the same day, though you may need to wait between attempts. You pay the permit fee each time you test. Before retaking, study the manual again and focus on the topics where you missed questions.

Do I need to pass the written test before I can take the road test?

Yes. You must pass the 25-question written permit test first to get your learner's permit. Then you must hold the permit for at least six months and practice driving before you can take the road test for your full license.

Is the permit test the same as the road test?

No. The permit test is a written test with 25 multiple-choice questions about road signs and traffic laws. The road test is a separate, practical test where you drive a car with an examiner and show that you can drive safely. You take the road test after you have held your permit for six months.