Maryland DMV Practice Test 2026

Practice Questions

12 free Maryland DMV practice questions

Real Maryland-specific questions sourced from the official Maryland Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Driver Readiness

   What is the most dangerous distraction while driving?

   • ATexting or using a hand-held phone✓ Correct
   • BEating a snack
   • CAdjusting the radio

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, using a hand-held phone while driving is among the most dangerous distractions. Maryland law prohibits all drivers from using hand-held devices while operating a vehicle.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 42 · Distracted Driving

2. Question 2 · Highway Driving

   How many seconds of following distance should you maintain behind a large truck?

   • A1–2 seconds
   • B6–7 seconds
   • C4–5 seconds✓ Correct

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, you should maintain a following distance of 4–5 seconds behind large trucks, buses, and delivery vans because they require much greater stopping distances than passenger cars.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 44 · Following Distance

3. Question 3 · Turns & Intersections

   When must you come to a complete stop at an intersection?

   • AOnly when another car is approaching
   • BAt a stop sign or red light✓ Correct
   • CWhen you see a yield sign

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs and red traffic lights. A yield sign requires slowing and yielding but not necessarily a full stop.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 28 · Traffic Controls

4. Question 4 · Weather & Visibility

   When must you turn on your headlights in Maryland?

   • AOnly after dark
   • BOnly during rain or snow
   • CWhen visibility is under 1,000 feet or your wipers are in use✓ Correct

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, headlights are required when visibility drops below 1,000 feet and whenever windshield wipers are in use. Maryland law ties headlight use directly to wiper activation.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 46 · Headlights

5. Question 5 · Pedestrian Laws

   What must a driver do when approaching a pedestrian crosswalk?

   • AYield to all pedestrians in or entering the crosswalk✓ Correct
   • BSlow down but maintain speed
   • CHonk to alert pedestrians

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are in or entering a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Failure to yield is a traffic violation.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 32 · Pedestrian Right-of-Way

6. Question 6 · Traffic Signs & Signals

   Which is a warning sign that you are too fatigued to drive safely?

   • AYou feel hungry
   • BYour eyes feel tired and you yawn frequently✓ Correct
   • CYou are driving faster than usual

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, frequent yawning and heavy eyes are key warning signs of fatigue. Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, and you should pull over and rest immediately.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 43 · Drowsy Driving

7. Question 7 · General Rules

   What are vehicles in a funeral procession required to do?

   • AUse only hazard lights
   • BDrive with headlights and hazard lights on, and may proceed through red lights to stay together✓ Correct
   • CObey all traffic signals like other drivers

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, funeral procession vehicles must have headlights and hazard lights activated and may legally proceed through red traffic lights to stay together as a group.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 35 · Funeral Processions

8. Question 8 · DUI Laws

   How does alcohol primarily affect a driver's ability?

   • AIt impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time✓ Correct
   • BIt improves reaction time
   • CIt only affects vision

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, alcohol impairs a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction time even at low levels. These effects significantly increase the risk of a crash.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 66 · Alcohol Effects

9. Question 9 · Lane Changes & Passing

   When is it legal to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road?

   • AWhenever you feel safe
   • BOnly when the center line is a broken yellow line and the way ahead is clear✓ Correct
   • CAnytime on a straight road

   Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, passing is only permitted on two-lane roads when the center line is broken yellow and you have a clear view ahead. You may never pass within 100 feet of a bridge, intersection, or railroad crossing.

   Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 48 · Passing

10. Question 10 · Right of Way

    When making a left turn at an intersection, who must you yield to?

    • ANo one if the light is green
    • BOnly pedestrians in the crosswalk
    • COncoming traffic and pedestrians✓ Correct

    Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, when turning left you must yield to all oncoming vehicles and any pedestrians crossing your path. This applies even when you have a green light.

    Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 33 · Left Turn Yields

11. Question 11 · Speed Limits

    What is the speed limit in a school zone unless otherwise posted?

    • A15 mph
    • B25 mph✓ Correct
    • C35 mph

    Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, the standard speed limit in a school zone is 25 mph unless a lower limit is posted. Drivers must obey posted school zone signs and watch for children.

    Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 30 · Speed Limits

12. Question 12 · Accidents & Emergencies

    How should you handle your vehicle if it begins to skid on a wet road?

    • AEase off the gas and brake, then steer in the direction of the skid✓ Correct
    • BBrake hard and steer opposite to the skid
    • CAccelerate to regain traction

    Why: According to the Maryland Driver's Manual, if your car skids you should ease off the gas and brakes and steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding to regain control.

    Source: Maryland Driver Handbook, page 55 · Wet and Icy Roads

How to get your Maryland driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in Maryland's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

1. 1

   Check the age and eligibility requirements

   Eligibility in Maryland: 15 years 9 months for a learner's permit; 16 years 6 months for a provisional license. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

2. 2

   Study the official handbook

   Read the Official Maryland Driver's Manual (mva.maryland.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 88%.

3. 3

   Pass the knowledge test

   The Maryland written test has 25 questions, and you need 22 correct (88%) to pass. You have 20 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $50 for a non-commercial learner's permit.

4. 4

   Build supervised driving experience

   Hold your permit for the period Maryland requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

5. 5

   Pass the road test and get licensed

   After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Maryland issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Maryland DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the Maryland test

• 1,000+ Maryland-specific questions

  Every question is sourced from the official Maryland Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

• Explanations on every answer

  Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

• Hard Questions module

  A curated bank of the trickiest Maryland questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

• Smart progress tracking

  See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Maryland DMV.