Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

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Driver Instruction - School and Instructor Licensing

The questions and answers provided below relate to licensing a drivers' school and/or instructor. All drivers' schools that charge a fee, and their instructors, must be licensed by the MVA. The requirements mentioned in these processes are more fully discussed in various sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and should be carefully reviewed prior to applying for a drivers' school license.

Note that a license permits the school, or instructor, to teach only students who currently hold a valid driver's license. If the school, or instructor, wants to offer the Driver Education Program for first time drivers' (also known as the 30/6 program), the school and its instructors must also be certified. The requirements related to licensing and certifying both a school and its instructors are essentially the same. One significant difference is that there are fees associated with the licensing transactions, while there are no fees associated with certification, except when the school changes its name. Also, an instructor certification requires the instructor to pass additional examinations. The school or instructor may apply for both licensing and certification simultaneously by following the appropriate procedure below.

Each of the following licensing-related procedures is separately discussed below in answer to commonly asked questions.  Either scroll down to the appropriate question and answer, or click on the procedure in which you are interested.​

License a New Drivers' School

 

​How do I obtain a license for a new drivers' school?

To obtain a license application packet, contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division. Then, complete and return the forms to the Division. Any vehicles that you plan to use in your instructional programs must be safety inspected prior to submitting your application.

The Division will review your completed application materials to verify that everything is present and properly completed. As part of this process, they will conduct a background check of all school owners, partners or corporate officers.

If there are no problems to this point, you will be asked to pay the application fee. The Division's  Quality Assurance Supervisor will then schedule an appointment to inspect your school's offices and classrooms. During the inspection, the Quality Assurance Supervisor will inform you of any problems that may need to be resolved.

When your application has been fully approved, the Driver Instructional Services Division will request payment of a licensing fee. The drivers' school license will be mailed to you upon receipt of the fee, after which you may obtain the materials needed to open your drivers' school from the MVA's warehouse.​​​

Certify a New Drivers' School

Add a New Site

 

How do I add a new site to my existing drivers' school?

Contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division to request an application packet.  Then, complete and return the forms to the Division.  Note that any vehicles that you plan to use at your added site must be safety inspected prior to submitting your application.

The Division will review your application materials to verify that everything is present and properly completed.  Then, the Division's Quality Assurance Supervisor will schedule an appointment to inspect your additional office and/or classroom.  During the inspection, the Quality Assurance Supervisor will inform you of any problems that may need to be resolved.  When you application has been approved, the Driver Instructional Services Division will request payment of a fee to add a site​.  The drivers' school license for the new site will be mailed to you. 

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.06​

Close a Site

 

​How do I close one site of my drivers' school?

Notify the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division, in writing, thirty (30) days prior to the closing date. The Division will update its database records on your school to reflect the closing of the site. For more detailed information, please refer to the appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​

Add a New Vehicle

 

How do I add a new vehicle to my drivers' school?

Contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division​ to obtain an Add New Vehicle Form. Then complete and return the form to the Division. The Division will update its database records on your school to reflect the addition of the vehicle. Your added vehicle must be less than six (6) years old and must be safety inspected prior to submitting the form.  For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.33

Delete a Vehicle

 

​How do I delete a vehicle from my drivers' school?

Contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division​ to obtain a Delete Vehicle Form. Then complete and return the form to the Division.  The Division will update its database records on your school to reflect the deletion of the vehicle. For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.33​.​

Renew a License

 

​How do I renew the license for my drivers' school?

You should receive a renewal application packet from the Driver Instructional Services Division approximately two months prior to the license expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal application, please contact the Driver Instructional Services Division.

Mail your completed application, with the renewal fee, to the Driver Instructional Services Division. The application should be returned as soon as possible, but no later than ten (10) days prior to the license expiration date.

The Division will review your renewal application and conduct a new background check of all business owners, partners and/or corporate officers. If approved, a new drivers' school license will be mailed to you. For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.09​

Note: If you need to change information on the license, the changes should be made prior to renewing your license.​

Change information on the license

 

​What should I do if my schools' business or corporate name has changed?

Contact the Driver Instructional Services Division​. The Division will send you an application packet that must be completed and returned, with the fee to change a school name​. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, a new drivers' school license will be mailed to you reflecting the new business/corporate name.​

Name Change

 

What should I do if my schools' business or corporate name has changed?

Contact the Driver Instructional Services Division​. The Division will send you an application packet that must be completed and returned, with the fee to change a school name​.  Once your application has been reviewed and approved, a new drivers' school license will be mailed to you reflecting the new business/corporate name.​

Address Change

 

​What should I do if I am planning to move my school to a new site?

Before relocating your school, contact the Driver Instructional Services Division. The Division will send you an application packet that must be completed and returned.

The Division will review your application materials to verify that everything is present and properly completed. Then, the Division's Quality Assurance Supervisor will schedule an appointment to inspect your new site. During the inspection, the Quality Assurance Supervisor will inform you of any problems that may need to be resolved. When your application has been reviewed and approved, the Driver Instructional Services Division will request payment of the fee to change location​. A new drivers' school license will be mailed to you reflecting the new address.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.08​.

Note: You may not open your new school site before receiving approval from the Driver Instructional Service Division.​

Add or Delete an Officer

 

​What should I do if there is a change in the school's officers?

Contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division​ to request an application packet. Then, complete and return the forms to the Division.

The Division first reviews your application materials to verify that everything is present and properly completed. If a new officer is being added, the Division must conduct a criminal background check of the officer. Then you will be asked to pay the fee to change officers. If approved, a new drivers' school license will be mailed to you, reflecting the changed officers.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.08​.​

Request a Duplicate License

 

​How do I request a duplicate drivers' school license?

Submit your request for a duplicate drivers' school license, in writing, to the Driver Instructional Services Division​. The written notification must explain how and when (date) your license was lost, destroyed, or mutilated. The fee for a duplicate license must also be submitted with the written notification. The Driver Instructional Services Division reviews the written request and if approved, mails the duplicate drivers' school license to you.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.12​​

Temporarily Close a Site

 

​What should I do if I want to temporarily close a drivers' school site?

You must notify the Driver Instructional Services Division, in writing, that you will be temporarily suspending instruction at a site.  The written notification must include:

  • Your reason(s) for temporarily suspending the instruction;
  • The date when the temporary suspension of instruction will begin; and
  • The date when the school intends to re-start the instruction.

The following items must be returned to the Driver Instructional Services Division within seven (7) calendar days after submitting the written notification:

  • ​All drivers' school licenses; and
  • Properties issued by the MVA.

The Driver Instructional Services Division holds the licenses and other property until the license expires. These materials may be returned upon resumption of school operations. Note: If a drivers' school temporarily suspends instruction, it may not resume instruction before receiving approval from the Driver Instructional Services Division.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.02.08​​.

Suspend School Operations

 

​What should I do if my drivers' school license has been refused, suspended, revoked, or canceled?

The Driver Instructional Services Division will notify you in writing of any of these actions.  If your license is refused, suspended, revoked, or canceled you may not give instruction in driving motor vehicles, nor teach standardized drivers' school program courses.

Within seven (7) calendar days after being notified of the MVA's action, you must return the following items to the Driver Instructional Services Division:

  • ​All drivers' school licenses; and
  • Properties issued by the MVA.

Within thirty (30) days after the school's closure, you must also take the following actions:

  • For individuals who were unable to finish instruction before the school closed:
    • Send a letter identifying the amount of instruction provided; and
    • Provide a pro-rated refund of the individual's instructional fee paid to the school.
  • For individuals who had not yet started instruction, provide a full refund of all fees paid.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.11​.

Permanently Close School

 

​How do I permanently close my drivers' school?

At least thirty (30) days prior to your planned closing date, you must send written notification of the school's permanent closing to:

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.07​.

Within seven (7) calendar days after the school's closure, you must return the following items to the Driver Instructional Services Division:

  • All drivers' school licenses; and
  • Properties issued by the MVA.

Within thirty (30) days after the school's closure, you must also take the following actions:

  • For individuals who had started but were unable to finish instruction before the school closed:
    • ​​Send a letter identifying the amount of instruction provided; and
    • Provide a pro-rated refund of the individual's instructional fee paid to the school.
  • ​For individuals who had not yet started instruction, provide a full refund of all fees paid.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.07​​.

License an Instructor

 

​How do I become a licensed instructor at a drivers' school?

First, you should review the instructor licensing requirements found in the Code of Maryland Regulations​.  You must be employed by a licensed driving school at the time of application.  Also, prior to receiving an instructor's license, you are not permitted to provide instruction in the driving of a motor vehicle and receive compensation for giving the instruction.

To obtain a license application packet, contact the MVA's Driver Instructional Services Division.  Then complete and return the forms to the Division.  Among the instructor eligibility requirements, you must:

  • ​Be at least 21 years of age or older;
  • Possess a high school certificate of graduation or its equivalent - You may not use a transcript as a proof of your degree, unless it states that a degree was awarded; and,
  • Have a valid driver's license issued by Maryland, or another state, to drive the class of vehicle you will be using in the program.
  • If you have not lived in Maryland for at least one (1) year, you must also provide:
    • a certified copy of your driving record for at least the last three (3) years.

The Division will review your application materials to verify that everything is present and properly completed.  

You will also be asked to:

  • Demonstrate that you meet the requirements outlined in the school's approved program of instruction;
  • Pay the instructor licensing fee; and
  • Provide documentation from a licensed drivers' school verifying your employment as a driving instructor.
  • Provide fingerprints for criminal background check at any live scan fingerprinting location in accordance with the instructions provided with your application packet
If you are also seeking certification to teach in a driver education program, you must meet these additional requirements:

  • ​Complete the required driver education instructor certification courses;
  • Demonstrate proficiency in teaching the standardized driver education program courses and learning activities in English.
  • Successfully complete the certification examinations administered by the Administration.
  • Provide documentation from a certified driver education school verifying your employment as an instructor.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations: 11.23.01.12, 11.23.01.13, 11.23.01.14, 11.23.01.15, 11.23.01.16​, 11.23.02.14, 11.23.02.15, 11.23.02.16, 11.23.02.17, 11.23.02.18, 11.23.02.22, 11.23.02.23, 11.23.02.24, 11.23.02.27, 11.23.02.28.​

Certify an Instructor

Renew an Instructor's License

 

​How do I renew my instructor license?

Your employing school will receive an email reminder 60 days in advance of your license expiration. You should then obtain a renewal application packet from your employing school.. Mail your completed application to the Driver Instructional Services Division. The application must be received in the Driver Instructional Services Division Office at least two weeks prior to the license expiration date.

The Division will review your renewal application. and if it is approved, will send you an approval letter. Once you have received the approval letter, you may take it to a full service MVA branch office to pay for and receive your renewed instructor license. For more detailed information, please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.17​.​​

Disqualify an Instructor

 

​What will disqualify me from obtaining or keeping an instructor's license?

You will not qualify for an instructor's license, or if you are an instructor already, you will be disqualified if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • ​You have 5 or more points on your Maryland driving record; or,
  • You have been convicted of a violation in another state that would have resulted in five (5) points or more if the conviction had been in Maryland; or,
  • You have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

For more information please refer to the Code of Maryland Regulations 11.23.01.13​​.

​​Content Accuracy Statement

The Maryland MVA website is provided as a public service.  While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this website, the user may wish to contact Driver Instructional Services Division to ensure that the information is current and accurate.  The statutes and regulations that are referenced on the Maryland MVA website should be checked by the actual text of the law and or regulation.


Fees:

The fees associated with licensing a drivers' school are shown on the MVA Fee Listing page.



Contact Information:

MVA
Driver Instructional Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center:  1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired:           ​​       ​ 1-301-729-4563​
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