Maryland Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Maryland rules and numbers to know for the MVA knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Maryland driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Maryland test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- 25
- To pass
- 22 of 25 correct (88%)
- Time limit
- The MVA gives you 20 minutes for the Maryland knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 15 years 9 months old
- Hold the permit for
- 9 months (reset to 9 months after any moving-violation conviction/PBJ)
- Alcohol limit under 21
- Zero tolerance (any measurable amount)
Maryland rules and numbers
From the official Maryland handbook (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 (05-23))); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Rules of the road
Safe driving & emergencies
Alcohol & drugs
- Maryland: drivers under 21 may have no measurable alcohol (zero tolerance). [p.33]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.