HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR

MARYLAND NONCOMMERCIAL CLASS C DRIVER’S TEST

A portion of your noncommercial driving test will be conducted on a closed course to test
your basic control of the vehicle, and a portion will be conducted on a public road to
further evaluate your driving skills. You must pass the closed course portion of the test
before you will be permitted to continue with the public road portion of the test. If you do
not pass the test, you will need to make another appointment to take the entire test again.
You must provide a vehicle that is properly registered and meets the safety standards as
described in this guide. You must also provide proof of vehicle insurance (policy, card or
FR-19).

The information provided in this guide serves only to assist you with preparing for your
test and should be used in conjunction with the Maryland MVA Driver’s Handbook.

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 Test Information

Closed Course Maneuvers: A test of your basic control skills will be conducted on a closed
course before your public road test. It will assess your general driving ability along with the
following two exercises:

• Reverse Two-Point Turnabout

• Right-Side Parallel Park

Reverse Two-Point Turnabout –-You will be asked to drive past an area that represents
a driveway or alley. You will be required to back your vehicle into the designated area on
your right until the front of your vehicle clears the front set of cones. You will have 3
minutes to complete this exercise. You will then be asked to exit the area to the right.
You will be evaluated on your backing skills, visual skills, judgment of space, use of
mirrors and turn signals, steering, braking, acceleration control and general driving skills.

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 Right-Side Parallel Park –You will be asked to park between flags/cones in a parking
space parallel to a curb that will be on your right. You should drive past the parking
space, then back your vehicle into the space. You must park your vehicle completely
within the parking space, 12 inches or closer to the curb. You will have 3 minutes to
complete this exercise. This exercise is designed to assess the skills necessary to safely
maneuver a vehicle in a confined area. You will also be evaluated on visual skills,
judgment of space, use of mirrors and turn signals, steering, braking, acceleration control,
and general driving skills.

Public Road Driving: After successful completion of the closed course maneuvers, you will
drive on a pre-determined public road route that will have a variety of traffic situations. The
vehicle must be operated in a safe manner at all times. For instance, you may not use your left
foot to operate the brake petal and you may not palm the steering wheel. If your test is terminated
for any reason, you will be asked to pull over to a safe location, and the examiner will drive the
vehicle back to the MVA.

General Driving Practices: You will be evaluated on general driving practices in order to
determine your ability to safely operate the vehicle. Whether on the closed course or on the
public road, you must obey all traffic laws and signs. Below are some tips to assist you with safe
driving practices.

Turns:

• You must use the correct turn signal when preparing to make a turn or to enter or exit
a designated area.

• As you approach the turn, check traffic in all directions and activate the correct turn
signal at the appropriate time.

• Brake smoothly, evenly and safely, when necessary, to get into the correct lane
needed for the turn.

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• If you must stop before making the turn because of traffic, signals or signs, smoothly
come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or stop sign. If stopping
behind another vehicle, leave a safe gap. You should be able to see the rear tires of
the vehicle ahead of you touching the ground. You should also keep the front wheels
straight.

• When ready to turn, check traffic in all directions. Keep both hands on the steering
wheel during the turn. Maintain smooth, even acceleration and yield to pedestrians
and other traffic. Keep the vehicle in the proper lane and do not make contact with
the curb.

• Make sure you finish completing the turn in the correct lane and that your turn signal
has cancelled. Accelerate to the speed of traffic and move into the right lane when
safe to do so, if not already there.

• Avoid getting too close to the curbs when making turns or performing an exercise.
All tires must maintain contact with the roadway.

Braking:

• Brake smoothly using steady pressure.

• Come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights.

Steering:

• Keep both hands gripped on the outside of the steering wheel at all times unless using
other controls.

• You may not use the open palm of your hand to turn the wheel.

Lane Usage:

• Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks or lane markings.

• Complete turns in the proper lane on a multiple lane road.

• Never change lanes at intersections.

Head/Traffic Check(s):

• Always check your surroundings to ensure it is safe to proceed.

• Check traffic and mirrors regularly, especially approaching, during, and after driving
in intersections, making turns or lane changes.

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• Watch for hazards by searching left and right at intersections, driveways, store
entrances, railroad tracks or other areas where traffic intersects.

• Scan ahead, observe traffic and look for pedestrians in high volume areas where
pedestrians are expected to be present.

• Check for traffic in your “blind spots” by looking over your shoulder when
necessary, such as when making lane changes, merging, etc.

Stops:

• When stopping at a stop sign or traffic signal, do not stop over a marked stop line,
pedestrian crosswalk, sidewalk or other marker.

• Do not stop your vehicle in an intersection. If there is no stop line or crosswalk; stop
before your vehicle enters the intersection or roadway.

Gear/Clutch Control:

• When operating your vehicle, you must ensure it is in the proper gear.

Intersections:

• Check traffic thoroughly in all directions when approaching intersections.

• Do not change lanes while proceeding through the intersection.

• Once through the intersection, perform head/traffic checks.

Lane Changes:

• In areas where there are multiple lanes going in your direction, you should make
necessary traffic checks first by looking in your mirrors and then checking your
“blind spots” by looking over your shoulder.

• Use the correct turn signal and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so. Cancel
your turn signal upon completion of the lane change and check traffic behind you.

Curve:

• When approaching a curve, check traffic thoroughly in all directions.

• Before entering a curve, reduce your speed so further braking is not required in the
curve. Keep your vehicle in the lane while maintaining a safe speed through the
curve and follow posted warning signs.

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 Traffic Signs:

• Always observe traffic signs and signals as they are located throughout roadways.
You will be required to identify various road signs throughout your driving test.

Dangerous Acts/Automatic Failure* – Your driving test will be terminated immediately if you
commit any unsafe action. Examples of some unsafe actions are listed below:

Failure to wear glasses or contact lenses, if required

Failure to properly fasten safety belt (shoulder and lap belt, if equipped with both)
Exceeding three minutes to complete either of the closed course exercise
Moving a Cone/Flag
Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign
Failure to obey signs, signals, any other traffic law
If you are involved in an avoidable crash or if your vehicle makes contact with other vehicles,
objects or pedestrians.
If you commit any unsafe act or if another driver is forced to take evasive action in order to
prevent a crash.
If you put the vehicle over sidewalks or curbs.
If you do not follow the examiner’s verbal instructions.
If you impede the flow of traffic unnecessarily.
If you remove both hands from the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion.
If the examiner is forced to intervene; either physically or verbally to avoid a collision or unsafe
act.

*Your tests will also be terminated when excessive basic driving errors are accumulated.

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General Information:

• A supervising driver must accompany you for your driving test. Maryland law
defines a supervising driver as one that is at least 21 years of age, has at least 3 years
driving experience and is seated in the passenger seat when you are driving. If you
do not have a “supervising” driver, any licensed driver may drive you to the test
location and remain behind the wheel until the examiner checks their license. No one
other than the applicant the examiner(s) and MVA approved interpreter are allowed
in the vehicle during the test.

• MVA allows the use of approved foreign language interpreters during the driving test
at the applicant’s expense. Please see the list of MVA approved interpreters on our
website at www.mva.maryland.gov.

• Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing may request a sign language interpreter
by emailing [email protected] or by calling the following TDD telephone
number: 1-800-492-4575. The MVA will schedule a sign language interpreter for
the driving test at no cost to the customer.

• New drivers must have successfully completed an approved driver education course.
The Maryland driving school will electronically submit verification of completion.
New drivers must also present the completed skills practice log and completed
certification page along with your unexpired Maryland learner’s instructional permit.

• Out of country license holders you must present your 3-hour drug and alcohol
certificate.

• You must present your current proof of insurance (policy, card, or FR-19) and your
valid vehicle registration card for testing. If the vehicle you are using is a rental
vehicle, your name must appear on the rental agreement as an authorized driver.

• Because the vehicle you provide for your driving test will be driven on public roads,
it will be required to pass an inspection prior to the test. You will also be required to
demonstrate various controls on your vehicle to ensure they are safe and operable.
Please be sure that you know how to operate all vehicle controls. The test will not be
conducted if you are unable to operate any of the vehicle’s equipment/controls.

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 VEHICLE CHECK LIST

Please use the check list below to determine if your vehicle is safe for testing purposes.
Your vehicle will be disqualified for testing if it is deemed to be unsafe in accordance
with the list below. If this occurs, you will need to reschedule your driving test for
another time.

Front and rear tags, as required, with valid registration

Windshield - unobstructed view, no cracks
Driver and passenger doors- must open/close
Seat belt- secure, fastens properly (shoulder and lap if equipped)
Tires- properly inflated with adequate tread and no missing lug nuts on wheels
Lights and lenses-none broken all operate (head, brake, signals, hazards) Lens repair
tape permitted if proper color
Gas gauge reads at least ½ tank and cap is present
Rearview and outside left side mirror- secure, not broken
Front seats- free of debris (oil food, wetness) operational, not broken
Glove box -closed, no loose articles that may create a hazard
Exhaust system-secure, no leaks, smelled, seen or heard
Brake and accelerator petal- secure, properly adjusted, operable
Dashboard warning lights-none activated, no safety concerns
Fluid leaks- oil, coolant, transmission fluid etc.
Horn operational
Speedometer operational

If weather conditions are wet and/or cold

windows must roll up
heater and defroster must be operable
windshield wipers and washers must be operable and have washer fluid

If weather conditions are extremely hot

Front windows must operate properly.

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