Free Maryland Permit Practice Test 2 (2026)
Real questions from the official Maryland driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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What this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 4
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 4
- Signaling & Communication — 3
- Licensing & Permits — 2
- Safe Driving — 2
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Vehicle Equipment — 2
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 1
Heaviest on Alcohol, Drugs & the Law (4 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
18 are Maryland-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. In Maryland you must use headlights:
- Only on highways
- Only in cities
- At night and when visibility is reduced
- Only in rain
Show answer
Answer: At night and when visibility is reduced
Use headlights at night and whenever visibility is low.
2. Maryland notes that even below .08, alcohol:
- Improves focus
- Has no effect
- Can affect your judgment and coordination
- Is legal to abuse
Show answer
Answer: Can affect your judgment and coordination
Even under .08, any alcohol can impair judgment and physical coordination.
3. Maryland law requires vehicle occupants to:
- Buckle only at night
- Buckle only in front
- Do nothing
- Wear seat belts (or child safety seats)
Show answer
Answer: Wear seat belts (or child safety seats)
Occupants must use safety belts or appropriate child seats.
4. If your turn signals fail in Maryland, you should:
- Turn without warning
- Use hand signals
- Not signal
- Use the horn
Show answer
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.
5. Per NHTSA data cited by Maryland, a crash on a road posted 65 mph or higher is:
- No different
- Less severe
- Safer
- More than twice as likely to result in death
Show answer
Answer: More than twice as likely to result in death
A crash at 65+ mph is more than twice as likely to be fatal.
6. Scanning the road far ahead while driving helps you:
- Look busy
- Save fuel only
- Spot hazards early and react in time
- Drive faster
Show answer
Answer: Spot hazards early and react in time
Looking well ahead lets you identify hazards early and respond safely.
7. A commercial driver in Maryland is considered under the influence at a BAC of:
Show answer
Answer: .04
Commercial drivers are DUI at .04.
8. In Maryland, if you are under 21, the amount of alcohol you may legally have before driving is:
- Up to .05
- Any amount up to .08
- None — no alcohol allowed
- Up to .02
Show answer
Answer: None — no alcohol allowed
Under 21, it is against the law to drink any alcohol.
9. When rain, snow, or fog make the posted Maryland speed unsafe, you must:
- Keep the limit
- Slow down
- Stop in the road
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Slow down
Reduce speed for weather and road conditions.
10. A Maryland Provisional driver under 18 may not drive unsupervised with passengers under 18 for the first:
- 90 days
- 151 days
- 1 year
- 30 days
Show answer
Answer: 151 days
For the first 151 days, no unsupervised passengers under 18 unless immediate family.
11. In Maryland, a rectangular (4-sided) black-on-white sign is used to:
- Regulate traffic (e.g., speed limit)
- Guide to services
- Mark a school
- Warn of curves
Show answer
Answer: Regulate traffic (e.g., speed limit)
Rectangular black-on-white signs are regulatory (speed limit, turns, etc.).
12. In Maryland, driving much slower than surrounding traffic:
- Is required
- Saves lives
- Is always safest
- Encourages others to pass and can be unsafe
Show answer
Answer: Encourages others to pass and can be unsafe
Going too slowly makes others constantly pass you, which can be dangerous.
13. An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
- Stop
- Right turn
- Left turn
- Slow
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
14. Maryland advises it is safest to drive:
- At the speed of most traffic, up to the posted limit
- 10 over the limit
- As fast as possible
- Well below traffic
Show answer
Answer: At the speed of most traffic, up to the posted limit
Drive with the flow of traffic, up to the maximum posted limit.
15. Before a Maryland Provisional License, you must complete supervised practice driving of at least:
- 60 hours (10 at night)
- 40 hours
- 50 hours
- 90 hours
Show answer
Answer: 60 hours (10 at night)
At least 60 practice hours, including at least 10 at night.
16. If you become drowsy while driving in Maryland, you should:
- Pull over safely and rest
- Keep going
- Speed up
- Open a window only
Show answer
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
17. A motorcycle in Maryland is entitled to:
- No lane
- The shoulder only
- A full lane of travel
- Half a lane
Show answer
Answer: A full lane of travel
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
18. If you plan to drink, the safest choice is to:
- Eat first
- Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
- Wait 15 minutes
- Drive slowly
Show answer
Answer: Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
Line up a sober ride before you drink.
19. A truck ahead of you swings wide to the left before turning right. You should:
- Pass on its right side
- Honk and go around
- Speed up on the left
- Not try to pass on the right — it needs the room to complete the turn
Show answer
Answer: Not try to pass on the right — it needs the room to complete the turn
Trucks swing wide to turn. Never squeeze up on the right of a right-turning truck.
20. An emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and siren on. You should:
- Continue at the same speed
- Stop immediately in your lane
- Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
- Speed up to clear the intersection
Show answer
Answer: Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
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