Maryland Permit Practice Test

How to use this MD practice test

1. Take the 25 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the Maryland Driver's Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. Come back on a later day and retake the questions you missed. A score on questions you have not seen before tells you more than a repeat.

MD practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10
11. Test 11
12. Test 12
13. Test 13
14. Test 14
15. Test 15
16. Test 16
17. Test 17
18. Test 18
19. Test 19
20. Test 20
21. Test 21
22. Test 22
23. Test 23
24. Test 24
25. Test 25

Printable MD practice test with answer key

25 sample practice questions from the MD bank

Every question below comes from the Maryland question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. What following gap should you use behind a bus or delivery van that stops often?

   1. Four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed
   2. The same three seconds required in every condition
   3. One second because the vehicle is moving slowly
   4. One car length regardless of speed
   Show answer

   Four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed. Vehicles that stop frequently require more room because their speed and position can change repeatedly. Full explanation in Test 1

   Study this in the handbook: Following distance, stopping distance and turns

2. 2. Under Maryland's seat belt restriction for Provisional License holders under 18, who must be buckled up?

   1. Only the driver
   2. Only passengers in the front seat
   3. Only passengers under 16
   4. The driver and every passenger, with children in child safety seats
   Show answer

   The driver and every passenger, with children in child safety seats. A Provisional License carries a seat belt restriction that covers everyone in the vehicle. Full explanation in Test 2

   Study this in the handbook: Provisional license restrictions, implied consent and penalties

3. 3. What is a safe speed choice when a road has pedestrians or animals nearby?

   1. Increase speed to pass the area quickly
   2. Reduce speed so you have more time to respond
   3. Maintain the posted limit regardless of visibility
   4. Match the fastest nearby vehicle
   Show answer

   Reduce speed so you have more time to respond. Maryland lists roads where pedestrians or animals may be present among the conditions that call for reduced speed. Full explanation in Test 3

   Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and who goes first

4. 4. What does the pictured red sign communicate?

   
   1. The road is one-way in your direction
   2. Parking is permitted for five minutes
   3. A railroad crossing is ahead
   4. Do not enter
   Show answer

   Do not enter. The manual identifies red as a sign color used for stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way messages. Full explanation in Test 4

   Study this in the handbook: Sign colors and shapes

5. 5. If a vehicle begins to hydroplane, which response is recommended?

   1. Accelerate sharply to force the tires through the water
   2. Apply the brakes firmly while turning toward the shoulder
   3. Take your foot off the gas and keep the vehicle straight
   4. Turn quickly from side to side to regain contact
   Show answer

   Take your foot off the gas and keep the vehicle straight. Hydroplaning occurs when the tires lose contact with the pavement on a sheet of water. Full explanation in Test 5

   Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, skids and hydroplaning

6. 6. What does the five-sided sign in the image warn you about?

   
   1. A railroad crossing ahead
   2. A recreational area entrance
   3. A school zone or school crossing
   4. A mandatory truck route
   Show answer

   A school zone or school crossing. The pentagon is the shape used for school zones and school crossings. Full explanation in Test 6

   Study this in the handbook: Sign colors and shapes

7. 7. What vision does Maryland require to qualify for a driver's license?

   1. 20/20 in one eye
   2. Binocular vision, at least 20/40 in each eye, and a continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees
   3. 20/70 in either eye with 90 degrees
   4. Any vision with corrective lenses
   Show answer

   Binocular vision, at least 20/40 in each eye, and a continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees. To qualify for a Maryland driver's license the applicant must have binocular vision, visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, and a cont Full explanation in Test 7

   Study this in the handbook: The vision screening, knowledge test and skills test

8. 8. What does the round railroad warning sign tell a driver?

   
   1. A railroad crossing is ahead
   2. The vehicle must enter a roundabout
   3. A railroad crossing has just ended
   4. Trains have priority only at night
   Show answer

   A railroad crossing is ahead. The round sign is a railroad warning sign used before a crossing. Full explanation in Test 8

   Study this in the handbook: Sign colors and shapes

9. 9. By Maryland law, what must a bicycle's brakes be able to do?

   1. Stop the bicycle within 50 feet at 20 mph
   2. Stop the bicycle within 3 feet at any speed
   3. Stop the bicycle within 15 feet at 10 mph on dry, level, clean pavement
   4. Stop the bicycle within 100 feet on wet pavement
   Show answer

   Stop the bicycle within 15 feet at 10 mph on dry, level, clean pavement. Maryland lists required bicycle equipment, and the brake standard is exact: the brakes must stop the bicycle within 15 feet when it is going Full explanation in Test 9

10. 10. What do Maryland traffic signs use to communicate information?

    
    1. Only flashing lights
    2. Engine sounds and tire size
    3. Symbols and words
    4. Vehicle registration numbers
    Show answer

    Symbols and words. Maryland states that traffic signs use symbols and words to communicate information. Full explanation in Test 10

    Study this in the handbook: Sign colors and shapes

11. 11. Your 11-year-old asks to ride in the front seat of your Maryland car on a short trip. What does the manual advise?

    1. The front is fine for short trips
    2. Ride in front with the seat pushed back
    3. Ride buckled up in a rear seat
    4. Ride in front with a lap belt only
    Show answer

    Ride buckled up in a rear seat. Maryland's air bag guidance says children under age 13 should ride buckled up in a rear seat, in a child safety seat or with a seat belt. Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Supervising drivers, insurance, seat belts and child seats

12. 12. Your signal is green and you are turning in Maryland while a person on foot crosses the street you are entering. What applies?

    1. The person must hurry because your signal is green
    2. You may turn closely in front of the person
    3. The person should wait on the curb until all turns finish
    4. You must give way to the person while turning
    Show answer

    You must give way to the person while turning. Turning on green still crosses the path of people walking across the street being entered. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

13. 13. You are turning right into a Maryland driveway, and your path crosses a bike lane where a bicyclist is approaching from behind. What should you do?

    1. Let the rider pass, then cross the bike lane
    2. Stop in the bike lane until the rider stops
    3. Honk so the rider moves out of the bike lane
    4. Turn first, since the rider can slow down
    Show answer

    Let the rider pass, then cross the bike lane. When you enter or cross a bike lane or shoulder, Maryland says you must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists riding in them. Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds

14. 14. Darkness, fog, or heavy rain cuts your view of the road in Maryland. What does that situation demand from you?

    1. The same casual attention used on a clear day
    2. More concentration and preparation than normal driving
    3. Faster reactions instead of advance preparation
    4. Reliance on other drivers to light your way
    Show answer

    More concentration and preparation than normal driving. When vehicles, pedestrians, signs, and markings grow hard to see, the driving task itself grows harder. Full explanation in Test 14

    Study this in the handbook: Lines and pavement markings

15. 15. You approach a yield sign in Maryland and traffic is crossing ahead from both sides. How should you approach?

    1. Slow down and look to the left and the right
    2. Keep your speed and look straight ahead
    3. Stop fully in every case before reaching the sign itself
    4. Look only to the left for oncoming cars
    Show answer

    Slow down and look to the left and the right. A yield approach starts with lower speed and a check in both directions. Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, warning and guide signs

16. 16. You see the pictured warning sign on a two-way Maryland road. What does it tell you?

    
    1. The divided road ends ahead
    2. The road divides around a median ahead
    3. Two lanes merge into one ahead
    4. A detour begins at the next turn
    Show answer

    The road divides around a median ahead. The Road Divides Ahead sign warns that the road ahead splits into a divided highway, with a guardrail, strip of land, or other barrier betwe Full explanation in Test 16

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, warning and guide signs

17. 17. Passing is barred in Maryland when the view ahead is blocked as a driver comes within how far of a bridge, elevated road, or tunnel?

    1. Within 50 feet of the bridge or tunnel entrance
    2. Within 100 feet of the structure
    3. Within 200 feet of the structure
    4. Within 500 feet of the structure
    Show answer

    Within 100 feet of the structure. Bridges, elevated roads, and tunnels squeeze sight lines and escape room, so passing near them carries extra risk when the view is blocked. Full explanation in Test 17

    Study this in the handbook: Passing rules and parking

18. 18. What do trapezoid-shaped signs point drivers to in Maryland?

    1. School zones and school crossings marked by five-sided signs
    2. Construction and maintenance work areas shown on orange warning signs
    3. Recreation and cultural interest areas and National Forest routes
    4. Services such as food, gas, lodging, and rest areas nearby
    Show answer

    Recreation and cultural interest areas and National Forest routes. Sign shapes give Maryland drivers a fast first clue before they read any words. Full explanation in Test 18

    Study this in the handbook: Sign colors and shapes

19. 19. Even when the rules seem to give you priority at a crossing in Maryland, how should you treat that priority?

    1. Never assume it is automatic; judge each situation
    2. Assume everyone will notice you and honor it
    3. Enter without slowing whenever the rules favor you
    4. Use your horn to claim it before entering
    Show answer

    Never assume it is automatic; judge each situation. Priority rules assign who should wait, but they cannot force another person to behave correctly. Full explanation in Test 19

    Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and who goes first

20. 20. You are nearing tracks in Maryland and a train is approaching. Why is extra caution needed there?

    1. Trains steer around vehicles that are on the tracks
    2. Trains cannot stop quickly, so drivers must use extra caution
    3. Trains always slow down before reaching a road crossing
    4. Crossing gates will push a stopped vehicle clear of the tracks
    Show answer

    Trains cannot stop quickly, so drivers must use extra caution. A train needs a very long distance to stop, far more than a car or truck needs on a road. Full explanation in Test 20

    Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, skids and hydroplaning

21. 21. A solid yellow line runs along one edge of a Maryland one-way road or ramp. What does it mark?

    1. The right edge of the road
    2. The left edge of the road
    3. The spot where traffic must stop
    4. A lane where passing is allowed
    Show answer

    The left edge of the road. A single solid yellow line marks the left edge of divided highways, one-way roads, and ramps. Full explanation in Test 21

    Study this in the handbook: Lines and pavement markings

22. 22. A large truck is stopped at a Maryland intersection with space on its right. You want to move up along that side. Why is that unsafe?

    1. The truck driver can see you clearly there and will wait
    2. Trucks are not allowed to turn right from that position
    3. The truck may begin its turn and leave you caught between it and the curb
    4. Traffic signals do not apply to vehicles on a truck's right side
    Show answer

    The truck may begin its turn and leave you caught between it and the curb. Maryland warns never to try to cut in along the right side of a truck at an intersection as the driver begins the turn. Full explanation in Test 22

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

23. 23. Your vehicle stops running on a Maryland interstate shoulder. Why is walking beside the road so risky?

    1. Shoulders are reserved for police only
    2. Traffic nearby travels at very high speeds
    3. Walking makes your vehicle harder to tow
    4. Flashers stop working once you exit
    Show answer

    Traffic nearby travels at very high speeds. Interstate traffic passes a shoulder at highway speed, so a person on foot has almost no protection or reaction room. Full explanation in Test 23

    Study this in the handbook: Railroads, work zones, roundabouts, highways and processions

24. 24. You have stopped at a red light in Maryland and plan a permitted right turn. A bicyclist is coming from your left along the cross street. What should you do?

    1. Turn now, because bicycles must yield to cars
    2. Let the bicyclist pass, then turn when it is clear
    3. Turn quickly before the bicyclist reaches you
    4. Sound your horn so the bicyclist slows down
    Show answer

    Let the bicyclist pass, then turn when it is clear. Turning on red after a complete stop is allowed only when no sign prohibits it, and the turning driver must yield the right-of-way to pedest Full explanation in Test 24

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, arrows and lane use lights

25. 25. You approach a crossing in Maryland where a person using a white cane is stepping off the curb slowly. How should you drive?

    1. Be especially alert and allow extra crossing time
    2. Proceed normally since signals control the crossing
    3. Honk gently to hurry the person along
    4. Pass behind the person as soon as space opens
    Show answer

    Be especially alert and allow extra crossing time. Some people crossing the street cannot see or hear traffic well, or need more time to move across. Full explanation in Test 25

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses