Free Maryland DMV Practice Test 2026
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The Maryland knowledge test is the first checkpoint on the road to a learner's permit, and it is administered by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Before you are allowed to practice behind the wheel, the MVA wants to see that you understand road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, and the everyday judgment calls that keep drivers safe. This free practice test is built to make that first checkpoint feel familiar instead of frightening.
Maryland sets a higher bar than many states: you answer 25 multiple-choice questions and must get 22 correct, which works out to 88 percent. That leaves very little room for guessing, so steady preparation matters. Use this practice test as often as you like, read the explanation after every question, and walk into the MVA already knowing how the real exam feels.
Passing score
88% to pass
22
of 25 correct
You can miss up to 3 questions and still pass.
MVA
Agency
25
Questions
22 (88%)
To pass
15 years 9 months
Permit age
Key takeaways
- The Maryland written test has 25 questions and you need 22 correct (88%) to pass.
- Questions are drawn from the official Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration handbook and cover road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving.
- You can apply for a permit at 15 years 9 months.
- Practice in two modes: learn with instant explanations, then simulate the real exam under a timer.
Sample Maryland permit test questions
Here are a few real questions from our Maryland bank, with the correct answer and a plain-language explanation. The full test has many more.
- Road SignsEasy
1. A red octagonal sign at an intersection means:
- Come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk
- Slow down only if other cars are present
- Yield to traffic and keep rolling
- Proceed if the road ahead is clear
Why: A red octagon is always a stop sign and requires a full stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.
- Traffic SignalsEasy
2. A steady red traffic light means:
- Slow down and proceed with care
- Stop only if pedestrians are present
- Yield to the right
- Stop and remain stopped until the light turns green
Why: A steady red light requires a full stop; remain stopped until the signal turns green and the way is clear.
- Traffic LawsEasy
3. Seat belts in a moving vehicle should be worn by:
- Only the driver
- The driver and all passengers
- Only front-seat occupants
- Only on the highway
Why: Wearing a seat belt greatly reduces injury risk; drivers and passengers should be belted at all times.
- Right-of-WayMedium
4. At a four-way stop where two vehicles arrive at the same time:
- The faster vehicle goes first
- The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
- The larger vehicle goes first
- The first to honk goes
Why: When two vehicles reach an all-way stop together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
What’s on the Maryland test
Our Maryland question bank is balanced across the categories the MVA tests. These are the topics to study:
How the Maryland written test works
The MVA draws your 25 questions from the official Maryland Driver's Manual. Topics are spread across road signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, right-of-way, speed limits, parking, and safe driving, so a narrow study plan will leave gaps. Because Maryland requires 22 of 25 correct, you can only miss three questions, which is why reading carefully beats rushing.
Most applicants take the knowledge test at an MVA branch as part of the rookie driver process. If you are under 18, the test is one step inside Maryland's graduated licensing system, so passing it unlocks supervised practice rather than full driving privileges. Confirm the current testing procedure and any appointment requirements with the MVA before you go.
What to study
Focus on the material that shows up most often and trips people up. Sign recognition by shape and color, the meaning of each signal color and arrow, and right-of-way order at intersections are reliable sources of questions.
- Road signs grouped by shape and color, including warning, regulatory, and guide signs
- Traffic signals, including steady and flashing lights and green and red arrows
- Right-of-way at four-way stops, crosswalks, roundabouts, and uncontrolled intersections
- Speed limits, the three-second following rule, and school-zone and work-zone rules
- Pavement markings such as solid and broken yellow and white lines and stop lines
Practice Mode vs Exam Mode
Practice Mode is for learning. After each question you see whether you were right and read a short explanation, so you build understanding question by question. Exam Mode hides the answers and mimics the real 25-question format, giving you a realistic dry run. A good rhythm is to drill in Practice Mode until your weak categories feel solid, then switch to Exam Mode to confirm you can clear 88 percent under test-like conditions.
Maryland weather and shared-road conditions
Maryland drivers deal with a real mix of conditions, from coastal fog near the Chesapeake Bay to winter ice in the western counties and heavy commuter traffic around Baltimore and the Washington suburbs. Expect questions about slowing down and increasing following distance in rain, snow, and fog, and about sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians in dense urban and suburban areas. Knowing how conditions change safe speed and stopping distance helps on the test and on the road.
Road signs show up on every test
Learn to read signs by shape and color and you bank easy points. Here are a few you should know cold:
What to study for the Maryland written test
- Road signs and signals, including arrows and flashing lights
- Right-of-way rules at intersections, crosswalks, and roundabouts
- Speed limits, school zones, and work zones
- Parking rules and pavement markings
- Alcohol, drugs, and safe-driving fundamentals
Maryland test day checklist
- Proof of identity, Social Security number, and Maryland residency
- Any required driver-education enrollment or completion certificate
- Your application and the testing fee
- Eyeglasses or contact lenses if you need them for the vision screening
How Maryland compares
| Requirement | Maryland | Typical US state |
|---|---|---|
| Questions on the test | 25 | 20–50 |
| Correct answers to pass | 22 | Varies |
| Passing score | 88% | 70–85% |
| Earliest permit age | 15 years 9 months | 15–16 |
What happens if you do not pass the Maryland test?
Missing the cutoff is not the end of the road. The Maryland written test requires 22 correct answers out of 25 (88%), so you can miss up to 3 questions and still pass. If you score below that line, you are allowed to retake the exam. Most states ask you to wait a short period before trying again, often the same day, the next day, or after a few days, and a small retest fee may apply. The exact waiting period and any fee are set by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, so confirm the current policy with them before you return.
The smartest move after a near miss is to study the specific topics that tripped you up rather than starting over from scratch. Our results page shows which categories pulled your score down, so you can focus your next session on road signs, right-of-way, or whichever area needs work. Take the free Maryland practice test a few more times until you are scoring comfortably above 88%, then schedule your retake with confidence.
Official Maryland DMV resources
Always confirm the current rules with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Keep preparing
Maryland permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Maryland permit test?
The Maryland knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer 22 correctly to pass.
What score do I need to pass in Maryland?
You need at least 88 percent, which is 22 out of 25 questions. You can miss no more than three.
How old do I have to be to get a permit in Maryland?
You can generally apply at 15 years and 9 months. Confirm the current age and education rules with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
Are these the official Maryland test questions?
No. These are original practice questions written to match the style and topics of the real exam. Always study the official Maryland Driver's Manual as well.
Is this Maryland practice test free?
Yes. It is completely free to use, with no account required.
Can I retake the practice test as many times as I want?
Yes. Each attempt pulls a fresh, randomized set of questions, so you can practice until you feel confident.
Sources
We summarize public information from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration in our own words. Confirm details with the official source: