Driving Laws in Maryland for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving regulations and special initiatives aimed at keeping both senior drivers and Maryland’s highways safe.

Most of the laws and regulations enforced by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and detailed below apply to drivers of all ages and stages, however senior drivers are subject to additional requirements and limitations.

Notably, drivers over the age of 40 must have an eye exam every time they renew their license.

In addition, first-time license applicants aged 70 and above must present documentation of past good vehicle operation or a physician’s certificate of fitness. See “How to Apply for a Maryland Driver’s License” for particular information about your circumstance.

Maryland License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

Drivers over the age of 40 who want to renew their licenses must follow certain regulations.

Drivers over the age of 40 must renew their licenses every five years, unless they get a different notice from the MVA.

All drivers over the age of 40 must have a vision exam while renewing their license. Drivers may have a free test conducted by MVA employees, or they can have an exam performed by an independent ophthalmologist or optometrist, who must complete a Vision Screening Form and perform the exam within 12 months of the renewal request. Drivers may also have the test done by providers listed on the MVA Online Vision Certification Service who are authorized to electronically submit test results.

If the MVA discovers signs of driving impairment, a written exam may be needed upon renewal.

Road test: Only if the MVA discovers signs of driving impairment.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

After performing a driving test and discussing potential limits with the driver, the MVA may impose restrictions or conditions on his or her driver’s license.

The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other typical conditions that the MVA may place on elderly drivers in Maryland include:

no highway driving
a second right side mirror on a car
There are no nighttime driving limits—for example, no driving during rush hour traffic supports to maintain a correct driving position geographic area restrictions, and wearing bioptic telescopic lenses while driving.

How to Request a Maryland Unsafe Driver Investigation

In Maryland, the procedures for reporting a risky driving differ. Contact your local MVA office for further information.

How to Restore a Driver’s License

Request that the driver’s license be restored by calling the MVA’s Driver Wellness and Safety Division at 410-768-7000 or 301-729-4563 (TTY) or visiting the office at 6601 Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie. Your entire name, address, date of birth, and driver’s license number will be requested.

How to Obtain Parking Placards or License Plates for a Disabled Driver

Drivers with restricted mobility may be awarded disability parking placards and license plates if the condition is certified by a registered physician, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, or podiatrist.

Placards and license plates are also offered to people who:

have significant pulmonary disease
suffer with serious cardiovascular disease
are unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; use wheelchairs for mobility; and are unable to walk 200 feet without the use of, or aid from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, or other support device.
have lost an arm, hand, foot, or leg have lost the use of an arm, hand, foot, or leg\s have a permanent handicap so severe that they would incur a hardship or risk harm if refused a disability plate or placard, or\s have a permanent severe impairment to both eyes.

The following steps must be taken in order to receive a disability placard or plate:

Fill out and sign an Application for Maryland Parking Placards/License Plates for People with Disabilities.
Unless your impairment involves the loss of use of an arm, hand, foot, or leg, have a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, physician’s assistant, or podiatrist complete the Disability Certification Information section of the application.
Bring the completed form to a full-service MVA office or send it to: Motor Vehicle Administration, Disability Unit, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062.

Learn More About Maryland Senior Driving Laws

The MVA website has a plethora of information for Maryland drivers, including access to the governing statutes and driving licensing handbooks in many languages.

The downloaded “Maryland Driver’s Manual,” which contains information regarding licensing drivers and registering automobiles, as well as an explanation of local traffic laws, is particularly interesting.