If a teen holds a Maryland learner's permit and is accompanied by an adult 21 years or older can other passengers be in the car? Thank you

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) a learner's permit allows a new driver to begin the learning process of operating a motor vehicle.

Requirements for having a MD learner's permit includes:

1. Minimum age for applicants is 15 years and 9 months.
2. If under 16, you must provide a completed Learner's Permit School Attendance Certification form to an MVA official during the learner's permit application process. Home schooled applicants must obtain certification from the home school coordinator for the applicant's jurisdiction.
3. A parent or guardian must co-sign the learner's permit application if the applicant is under 18.
4. All applicants are required to submit sources of proof of age, identity, and Maryland residence.
5. Applicants must pass all required tests.
6. While driving, learner's permit holders must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 years or older, and has held a license for a minimum of 3 years. The person must be seated beside the new driver at all times, with no other front seat occupants.
7. A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian, or mentor) must complete a Practice Skills Log for the learner's permit holder, which is issued by the MVA along with every learner's permit.
8. Since October 1, 2008, MD learner's permits are valid for 2 years from the date they are issued. This extension allows individuals an opportunity to acquire additional driving experience, if necessary, without obtaining a new permit. This change does not impact the current GLS requirement in which the applicant must hold the permit for a minimum of 6 months before taking the MVA's skills test.
9. Since October 1, 2008 MD permit applicants must hold a valid learner's permit prior to the behind-the-wheel driver education training and driving on Maryland highways.
10. Learner's permit holders under 18 are prohibited from using a wireless communication device (including a cell phone) while operating a motor vehicle, except to make an emergency 911 call. Violations may result in a suspension of your driving privilege.
11. Learner's permit holders must hold the learner's permit for a minimum of six months, maintain a conviction-free driving record during this time period, and complete a standardized driver education course before becoming eligible for a provisional license.

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So according to number 6 listed above you must be accompanied by a supervising driver that is 21 years or old and has had their driver's license for at least 3 years. No other passenger restrictions are noted by the MD MVA that we could find so it would appear that other teens could be in the car with a driver without only a MD learner's permit.

Once you move up to a provisional license than there are more passenger restrictions in place. The Maryland Driver's Handbook notes that provisional license holders under the age of 18, during the first 5 months (151 days) of the provisional period, are not allowed to have passengers under the age of 18, unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or the passengers are direct family members.

Direct family members in MD can be a spouse, daughter, son, stepdaughter, stepson, sister, brother, stepsister, or stepbrother of the provisional license holder or a relative of the license holder who lives at the same address.

To find out for certain all the restrictions and conditions placed on a driver with only a learner's permit in Maryland, contact the MD MVA directly and read through the Maryland driver's handbook.

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