Supervising drivers, insurance, seat belts and child seats

Key points

1. A supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed for at least three years for the same class of vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “At least 21 years old. Currently licensed for at least three years in Maryland or another state to drive the same class of vehicles that you are driving.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

2. The supervising driver sits beside you, unless the vehicle is a motorcycle.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Seated beside you, unless the vehicle is a motorcycle.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

3. Report conditions like a heart condition that caused a loss of consciousness in the past 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “A heart condition that has caused a loss of consciousness in the past 6 months.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

4. Always carry a valid insurance card when driving. It may be electronic.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “You must always have a valid insurance identification card with you when driving a motor vehicle. This card may be in electronic format.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

5. The driver and all passengers must wear a safety belt or ride in a child safety seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “By law, the driver and all passengers of a motor vehicle must wear a safety belt or be buckled in a child safety seat.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

6. Children under 8 must ride in a child safety seat unless they are 4 feet 9 inches or taller.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “All children under age 8 must ride in a child safety seat, unless the child is 4'9" or taller.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

7. Children younger than 2 must ride in a rear facing seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “Children younger than 2 must ride in a rearfacing child safety seat that meets federal guidelines”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

8. Sit back from the steering wheel, keeping 10 to 12 inches between it and your chest.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “Try to keep 10-12 inches between the steering wheel and your chest.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52

9. You may not drive with earplugs, headsets or earphones in both ears. Hearing aids are allowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “You may not drive with earplugs, headsets, or earphones in both ears. Hearing aid devices are allowed.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53

10. On the driving test, the parking tasks use a 10 by 20 foot space and the turn uses a 16 by 20 foot space.

    Source: Handbook p. 53

    “The parking is done in a 10' by 20' space during the test, and the turn in a 16' by 20' space.”
    Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. Which person qualifies as a Maryland supervising driver for a learner's permit holder?

   1. A driver age 18 with one year of licensing
   2. A driver age 21 or older licensed for the same class for at least three years
   3. Any passenger who has completed driver education
   4. A parent of any age seated in another vehicle
   Show answer

   A driver age 21 or older licensed for the same class for at least three years. A supervising driver must be at least 21 and must have held a Maryland or other-state license for the same class of vehicle for at least three years. The person must be beside the learner unless the vehicle is a motorcycle. Age alone, driver education, or a parent traveling separately is insufficient. Verify age, licensing duration, vehicle class, and seating position together.

2. 2. Which Maryland children must ride in a child safety seat?

   1. All children under age 4 only
   2. All children under age 8, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller
   3. Only children who weigh under 40 pounds
   4. All children under age 12 regardless of height
   Show answer

   All children under age 8, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller. All children under age 8 must ride in a child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller, and children younger than 2 must ride rear facing until they reach the seat's height or weight limit. Follow the instructions from both the seat maker and the vehicle maker. Families who cannot afford a seat can contact the Kids In Safety Seats program at the Maryland Department of Health.

3. 3. Which parking maneuvers are required on the Maryland driving test, and in what size space?

   1. Pull in parking, back in parking and a three point turn, in a 10 by 20 foot space with the turn in a 16 by 20 foot space
   2. Only a three point turn
   3. Parallel parking in a 25 foot space
   4. Only parallel parking
   Show answer

   Pull in parking, back in parking and a three point turn, in a 10 by 20 foot space with the turn in a 16 by 20 foot space. Parallel parking is no longer required on the Maryland driving test, though it is taught in the driver education course. You must successfully perform pull in parking, back in parking and a three point turn. The parking is done in a 10 by 20 foot space and the turn in a 16 by 20 foot space. The maneuvers demonstrate control of the vehicle at low speed.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 10: Other Important Information. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.