Maryland's "Rookie Driver" Law: A Parent's Guide to the GDL Program

For a teenager in Maryland, getting a driver's license is a rite of passage. For parents, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and concern. To address this, Maryland has a Graduated Licensing System (GLS), also known as the "Rookie Driver" program, for all drivers under the age of 18.

These laws are not designed to be inconvenient; they are a data-driven safety system created to protect new, inexperienced drivers by limiting their exposure to the highest-risk driving scenarios. For these laws to be effective, both teens and parents must understand and enforce them as a team.

The Foundation: The Learner's Permit Phase

The journey begins with a learner's permit, which is all about supervised practice.

Driver's Education: To get a permit, a teen must first be enrolled in a state-approved driver education course.
Mandatory Nine-Month Holding Period: A teen must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of nine consecutive months, conviction-free, before they are eligible to take their road test.
The 60-Hour Driving Log: During this nine-month period, a parent or legal guardian must supervise and certify that the teen has completed at least 60 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
- Of these 60 hours, at least 10 hours must take place at night.
Supervision Rule: During the entire permit phase, the teen must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, has been licensed for at least three years, and is seated in the front passenger seat.

The Provisional License

After successfully completing the permit phase, a teen can take the road test to earn their provisional license. This license comes with critical restrictions that last for 18 months.

1. Nighttime Driving Curfew

A teen with a provisional license CANNOT drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 5 a.m.
Exceptions: This curfew is waived if the teen is accompanied by a qualified supervising driver (21+, licensed 3+ years). It is also waived for travel to or from work, a school activity, a volunteer program, or in an emergency.

2. Passenger Restrictions

This is one of the most important GDL rules.

For the first five months (151 days) of holding a provisional license, a teen driver CANNOT transport any passengers under the age of 18.
Exception: This restriction does not apply if the passengers are immediate family members (spouse, daughter, son, sister, brother, etc.).

3. The Mobile Device Ban

This rule is simple and strict. Drivers under the age of 18 are PROHIBITED from using any cell phone or other handheld wireless communication device while driving. The only exception is for making an emergency 911 call.

The Full Unrestricted License

After holding the provisional license for at least 18 months without any moving violation convictions, the GDL restrictions are lifted, and the license becomes a full, unrestricted license.

The Parent's Crucial Role

The GDL laws provide the legal framework, but a parent's reinforcement is what truly creates a safe driver.

Know the Rules: Be an expert on the curfew and passenger restrictions so you can enforce them correctly.
Lead by Example: Your teen learned their driving habits from watching you. Put your phone away, obey the speed limit, and always wear your seat belt.
Create a Driving Contract: A written parent-teen agreement that outlines the rules and consequences can be a powerful tool for setting expectations beyond what the law requires.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate Maryland's GDL program, ensuring the path to driving freedom is a safe one that builds a lifetime of responsible habits.