Teen Driver Insurance in Maryland

Tojocu Editorial Team | Last verified: April 2026

Maryland operates a comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program called the Rookie Driver system. This program applies to all applicants, regardless of age, who have never held a license in Maryland or any other state or country. The program allows new drivers to gain driving experience under the supervision of an experienced driver and encourages good driving behavior by imposing specific restrictions and strict sanctions during each step of the licensing process. Maryland's rookie driver graduated licensing system applies to all drivers, no matter how old, but enforces special restrictions and eligibility requirements for teen drivers.

Licensing Timeline

Teen drivers can obtain a learner's permit at age 15 years and 9 months. The MVA requires that a nine-month period must pass before graduating to the provisional license, and teens are permitted to apply for a provisional license only after holding an instruction permit for nine months without any moving violations. At minimum age 16 years and 6 months, teens who are 16 and a half years old are eligible to apply for a provisional license. After holding a provisional license for at least 18 months without any moving violations, an 18-year-old driver can request a full license, and with a full license, the driver is no longer subject to the provisional license restrictions.

GDL Restrictions

Provisional drivers under 18 are prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., unless supervised or accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older with three years of driving experience. Driving to or from work, an official school activity, a volunteer program, or to or from an athletic event or related to a training session is also permitted. During the first five months (151 days) of the provisional period, holders are prohibited from having passengers under the age of 18, not including immediate family members, without the supervision of a qualified driver. A minor can drive a car with minor passengers if there is an adult in the car who is at least 21, and the adult must have a driver's license for at least 3 years and be seated next to the driver. All holders of provisional licenses and instruction permits are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving, with a complete ban on using handheld mobile devices or engaging in distracted driving behaviors.

Permit holding period: 9 months. Nighttime restriction: Midnight to 5 a.m. for provisional drivers under 18. Passenger restriction: No passengers under 18 for first 151 days. Cell phone restriction: Complete ban on handheld device use for permit and provisional drivers. Supervisor requirement: Licensed driver age 21+ with 3+ years experience seated in front passenger seat. Nighttime exceptions include: supervised by licensed driver 21+, employment, school activities, volunteer programs, athletic events. Passenger exceptions include: immediate family members, when accompanied by licensed driver 21+ with 3+ years experience.

Insurance Requirements

Maryland requires a minimum liability insurance policy of at least $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage per accident. Maryland Law requires uninsured motorist limits of 30/60/15 or $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 per person for property damage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical expenses and lost income for you and your passengers who are injured in a covered accident, up to $2,500 per person, with Maryland PIP requirements at $2,500. Maryland follows a fault-based insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance typically pays for damages to other parties.

Minimum liability limits: $30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage. Insurance system: at-fault. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required at $2,500. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required. Required at same limits as liability: 30/60/15.

Insurance Considerations for Teen Drivers

Teen drivers typically face significantly higher insurance premiums due to their inexperience and statistically higher accident rates. Insurance companies view new drivers as high-risk, with rates often doubling or tripling family policy costs when adding a teen. Parents can help reduce costs by maintaining continuous coverage, encouraging good grades for student discounts, and comparing quotes from multiple insurers, as rates vary substantially between companies for teen drivers.

Practice Paths to Licensure

Option 1: Standard teen path with driver education course and supervised practice. 60 supervised hours required; 10 night hours required; driver education required; road test required.

Fees

Permit fee: $50. License fee: Included in permit fee. Permit fee covers eventual full license conversion.