Maryland 36-Hour Driver Education Program:
What Students and Parents Need to Know
If you are a new driver in Maryland, completing an MVA-approved Driver Education Program is an important part of the licensing process. Here are some of the most common questions students and parents have about the 36-Hour Driver Education Program.
Who Needs to Complete Driver Education?
In Maryland, anyone getting a driver’s license for the first time, regardless of age, must complete an MVA-approved Driver Education Program. Driver Education may also be required for certain drivers seeking reinstatement after a license revocation.
What Does the 36-Hour Driver Education Program Include?
The program consists of 36 hours of instruction:
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30 Hours of Classroom Instruction
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6 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
Both portions must be successfully completed, and students must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the required evaluations.
When Can a Student Start Driver Education?
Students can begin the classroom portion at age 15.
A learner’s permit is not required to start the classroom portion.
For behind-the-wheel training, students must be at least 15 years and 9 months old and have a valid learner’s permit.
How Does the 30-Hour Classroom Portion Work?
The classroom portion consists of 10 units, with each unit lasting 3 hours.
Students learn Maryland traffic laws, signs and signals, defensive driving, safe-driving techniques, risk management, sharing the road, and other important topics that prepare them for safe driving.
What If I Miss a Classroom Session?
Students may miss up to 4 units (12 hours) and make up the missed units in a future class session.
Unit 1 is mandatory. If a student misses Unit 1, they cannot continue with the remaining units and must begin with Unit 1 in another class session.
If a student misses more than 4 units, they must restart the classroom portion in a new session.
All missed units must be completed before the Driver Education Program can be completed.
Can I Take the Final Exam Before Making Up a Missed Unit?
Yes. A student may take the final exam before making up a missed unit.
However, the school cannot submit the student's completion to the MVA until the student has completed all required instruction and passed the final exam.
Do I Have to Finish the Classroom Portion Before Starting Behind-the-Wheel Training?
No. Students do not have to wait until all 30 classroom hours are completed before starting behind-the-wheel training.
Once a student has a valid Maryland learner’s permit, they may schedule their first BTW session while they are still attending classroom sessions.
At 4Life Driving School, after the instructor evaluates the student during the first BTW session, the student may schedule the second and third sessions as appropriate. Classroom and BTW instruction can therefore progress during the same period rather than waiting for the classroom portion to finish.
How Does the 6-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Training Work?
Behind-the-wheel training consists of three 2-hour sessions.
Session 1: Students practice fundamental skills, including right and left turns, space management, and speed management.
Session 2: Students work on lane changes, shoulder checks, yielding, parking, and additional on-road driving skills.
Session 3: Students progress to more advanced driving, including highway driving, and complete their final evaluation. Students must achieve at least 80% to pass the final evaluation.
Students must have their valid learner’s permit with them during every behind-the-wheel session.
Here you will find answers to many of the commonly asked questions. For more information, please refer to our student application or inquire to a staff member. 1. I’m over 18 and already know how to drive, do I still need driving school? •Yes. In Maryland, all first-time driver’s license holders are required to successfully complete the 36 Hours GLS Program regardless of age or prior driving experience. 2. How long are the classes? •The program is a 2-week program that runs Monday-Friday. How long it takes one student to complete the program depends on the student’s and school’s availabilities. Students have 18 weeks from the 1st day of class to complete the program. 3. How much are the classes? • Please check with staff for current pricing of the 36 Hr GLS course. 4 . Are there any discounts? •Yes. There are various discounts available such as CDL holder's members. However, refunds can void any discount received. Please refer to our terms and conditions or staff members for more information on our discount policy. 5. I don’t have my Permit; can I still take the classes? •Yes. While it is NOT required to have a Learner’s Permit for the in-class portion of the program, A Learner’s Permit is legally required for the behind-the-wheel portion and must be presented at the time of the behind-the-wheel appointment to drive. Failure to present Learner's may result in the student not being able to drive and may result in a late cancellation fee. 6. What do I need to bring to class? •While not required, students are encouraged to bring writing utensils to class for those who wish to take notes during class. Students will be required to bring their workbook (provided by the school) to each class. Students who forget to bring the work book on back-to-back days will be required to purchase a replacement at the replacement fee. Please refer to our price list or staff members for more information on fee. 7. What if I can’t make it to one class? •Those who miss a class must make up that class later when the same class is being offered. All student MUST start classes with Unit 1. Students must have all units completed prior to taking Unit 10/Final Exam. 8. Can I take more than 1 class per day to finish faster? •No. The MVA prohibits any student from taking more than 1 3-hour in-class session or more than 1 2-hour behind-the-wheel session per day. Students can however take 1 3-hour in-class and 1 2-hour behind-the wheel per day. 9. Do I get my license after completing driving school? •No. The completion of driving school does not guarantee a student the Driver’s License. Student must still take and pass the MVA Skills Test to obtain the Driver’s License. Please refer to our terms and conditions or staff members for more information on program completion. 10. Can I take my MVA Skills Test anytime? •Students must successfully meet all requirements set forth by the MVA prior to being able take the MVA Skills Test. Please ask staff members about the MVA requirements. 11. Can I use the school car for my MVA test? •Yes. We offer our vehicles for those who need a vehicle for the skills test. Please refer to our price list or staff members for more information on our MVA escort fees. 12. It’s raining, are classes cancelled? •Would you call your boss and tell him that you cannot come to work because you don’t know how to drive in the rain? If so then, you might want to start looking for a new job. Unless there is a severe weather alert, classes will continue. Students however are free to cancel the behind-the-wheel appointments but must do so within the allowable time frame to avoid cancellation fees. Please refer to our terms and conditions or staff members for more information on cancellations.