Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

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Driver Instruction - School and Instructor Certification

​The questions and answers provided below relate to certifying a school and/or instructor to teach the Driver Education Program for the first time drivers (also known as the 30/6 program).  Note that the school and its instructors must also be licensed if the school plans to charge students for taking the Driver Education Program, which is usually the case.  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 the 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 licensing procedure described in Driver Instruction - School and Instructor Licensing.

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. 

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.​

Certify a New Drivers' School

 

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

To obtain a certification 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.

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.

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.​

Add a New Site

 

​How do I add a new site to my existing driver education 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 education program certification for the new site will be mailed to you.

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

Close a Site

 

​How do I close one site of my driver education 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 driver education 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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​​

Delete a Vehicle

 

​How do I delete a vehicle from my driver education 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.

A vehicle six (6) years old and older cannot be used in a driver education program and must be deleted from your fleet.​

Renew a School's Certification

 

​How do I renew the certification for my driver education school?

You should receive a renewal application packet from the Driver Instructional Services Division approximately two months prior to the certification expiration date. Mail your completed application 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 certification 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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations.

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

Change information on the certification - 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.​​

Change information on the certification - 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 mail you a new drivers' school certification, reflecting the new address.

For more detailed information, please refer to the appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations.

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

Change information on the certification - 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. If approved, a new drivers' school license will be mailed to you, reflecting the changed officers.

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

Request a Duplicate Certification

 

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

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

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

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 certifications; and
  • Properties issued by the MVA.

The Driver Instructional Services Division holds the certification and other property in abeyance until resumption of operations or until the certification expires. These materials may be returned upon resumption of school operations. Note that 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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​

Suspend School Operations

 

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

The Driver Instructional Services Division will notify you in writing of any of these actions. If your certification is refused, suspended, revoked, or canceled you may not give or teach the driver education program.

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 certifications; 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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​

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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations.

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

  • All certifications; 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 appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​

Certify an Instructor

 

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

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

To obtain a license application packet, contact the management of your employing driving school. Then complete and return the forms to your driving school management. The driving school will forward all necessary documents to the MVA. Among the  instructor's eligibility requirements, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age or older;
  • Possess a high school certificate of graduation or its equivalent or a college degree 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.
  • Provide a certified copy of your driving record for the last three (3) years. If any portion of that time involved licensure by a state other than Maryland, you must have a record from that state.
  • Provide documentation of the successful completion of the required training to become an instructor.
  • Provide a dated official receipt verifying that fingerprinting has been completed and a criminal background check has been requested.
  • Provide certification by the applicant that there are no reportable medical conditions.

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

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 training courses;
  • Demonstrate proficiency in teaching the standardized driver education program courses and learning activities in English;
  • Provide documentation from a certified driver education school verifying your employment as an instructor.

For more detailed information, please refer to Code of Maryland Regulations: 11.23.01.12, 11.23.01.13, 11.23.01.14, 11.23.01.15, 11.23.01.16​

Renew an Instructor's Certification

 

​How do I renew my instructor certification?

Your employing school will receive an email reminder approximately two months prior to the instructor certification expiration date. Mail your completed application along with a letter from the driving school stating you have taught at least 30 hours of drivers' education in the past two years and are abiding by all the rules and regulations to the Driver Instructional Services Division. The application should be returned as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to the certification expiration date. You can obtain a renewal application from your employing school.

The Division will review your renewal application. Since your instructor license and certification are renewed at the same time, you only need to submit one application packet for both and you will receive approval of renewal in the same letter as your instructor license renewal approval. For more detailed information, please refer to the appropriate sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations​.​​

Disqualify an Instructor

 

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

You will not qualify for an instructor's certification, 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.​

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App​e​​ndix A

Driver Instruction Services
Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Index

​Section Title

Regulation Number

Purpose

11.23.01.00

Scope

11.23.01.01

Definitions

11.23.01.02

Driver's School License

11.23.01.03

Applying for a Driver's School License

11.23.02.05

Branch Driver's School License

11.23.01.06

Issuing the Driver's School License

11.23.01.16

Renewing and Replacing the Driver's School License

11.23.01.09

Ceasing or Suspending Instruction at a Driver's School

11.23.01.13

Refusing, Suspending, Revoking, or Canceling a Driver's School License

11.23.01.11

Business Office Requirements

11.23.01.20

Classroom Requirements

11.23.01.21

Training Vehicle Requirements

11.23.01.22

Records and Reports

11.23.01.08

Advertising

11.23.01.07

Approving and Adopting Course Curricula

11.23.01.23

Driving Instructor License

11.23.01.12

Applying for a Driving Instructor License

11.23.01.15

Renewing a Driver Instructor License

11.23.01.17

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Driving Instructor License

11.23.01.18

Refusing, Suspending, Revoking or Canceling a Driving Instructor License

11.23.01.19

Instructor Identification Badges

11.20.01.22​

Instructor Driving Record

11.23.01.16

Instructor Conduct

11.23.01.16

Instructor Physical Examination

11.23.01.14

Instructor Certification Courses

11.23.02.15

Apprentice Driving Instructor

11.23.02.22

Driver Education Program Certification

 

Driver Education Program Certification Requirements

11.23.02.16

Driver Education Instructor Certification

11.23.02.15

Renewing a Driver Education Instructor Certification

11.23.02.19

Refusing, Suspending, Revoking and Canceling a Driver Education Instructor Certification

11.20.01.24

Classroom Operation

11.23.02.32

Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

11.23.02.34

Student Eligibility for Enrollment in Approved Driver Education Program

11.23.02.35

Student Performance Criteria

11.23.02.36

Driver Education Program Completion Certificate

 

Driver Education Program Transfer and Reciprocity

11.23.02.38

Program Evaluation

11.23.02.09

Prohibited Acts

11.23.02.13

 

Content Acc​uracy Statement

The Maryland MVA website is proved 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 the 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:

  • There is a fee to change the school's name, however, there are no other fees associated with the certification process.


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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