Driving & License Information

General Driving Links

Note: Driving schools are listed for your convenience, APIA does not recommend any specific driving school.

Who covers the cost of the Maryland driver’s license? If a host family requires their au pair to obtain their Maryland driver’s license so they can drive the children, the host family is responsible for the cost of the drug & alcohol class and driver’s license fee.

Maryland Driver’s License Process

Note: German & French Au Pairs are not required to take the written or driving tests. They do need to complete the drug & alcohol class, document verification, and pass a vision test at the MVA. They will then trade their country license for a Maryland driver’s license. Upon return to their home country, they will trade their Maryland license for a new country license. 

Step 1 – Start Gathering Two Proof of Residency Documents

  • Item #1 – Social Security Card Envelope & Contents*
  • Item #2 – Bank Statement
    • Open a bank account.
    • Print bank statement online.

*Rematch and Extension Au Pairs who have Changed Host Families

      • Change your address with your bank or open a bank account.
      • You need to use this link to request a DS-2019 reprint with your current host family information and address. (It will arrive in 2-3 weeks)
      • If your social security card envelope shows your previous address, you will need a second item for proof of residency. You can order stamps from the US Postal Service online. Look for 1 cent stamps. They are sold in sheets of 20, with the $1.85 handling fee, it will cost you $2.05. These stamps will be delivered to you in the mail and you will use the envelope from the US Postal Service as your second proof item (mail from a government agency.)

Step 2 – Complete 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Course – Pick one of these online courses, complete the online portion and then take the test. After you pass the test, you will receive a certificate that you will take with you to get your driver’s license.

Step 3 – Prepare for Maryland Driver’s Law Test – Complete the practice tests in the app over and over to prepare for your driver’s law test. This will allow you to see all the possible questions and understand the answers.

Step 4  – Make Your Appointment for Document Review/Driver’s Law Test

  • Go to the Maryland MVA website.
  • Click the box that says To Schedule an Appointment
  • What would you like to schedule? > Select New to MD/New to Country.
  • What service would you like to schedule? > Select New to MD (Driver’s License Only).
  • Click the box that says Begin Your Pre-App 
  • On the next page, Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit and ID Pre-Application > Select Next
  • License/ID Type > Select Driver’s License (Note: Do Not Apply for a Learner’s Permit)
  • License History
      • Do you currently have a license or ID from Maryland? > Select No 
      • If you obtain a Maryland license will this be your first license? > Select No
      • What country was your previous license from? > Select your home country from this list.
      • How long have you had a driver’s license? > Select the correct length of time for yourself > Click Next
  • Out of State License > Click I don’t have an out of state license. > Click Next
  • Identifying Information > Fill in with your information.> Click Next
  • Complete the next pages (Applicant Information, Disability, Residential Address & Mailing Address) with your answers.
  • Document Questions
    • Proof of Identity > Select No > Select Yes
    • Proof of Address > Select No
    • Proof of Name Change > Select No
    • Click Next
  • Complete the document checklist. See the screenshot below for which items to select.

  • Click Print Your Pre-Application Barcode (you are required to have this at your appointment) Do this before scheduling your appointment.
  • Click Schedule Appointment.
    • Enter your zip code and select a location to make your appointment.

Step 5 – Go to MVA to take your Driver’s Law Test

The MVA’s law test system offers the driver’s law test in the following languages:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Nepali​
  • Korean
  • Traditional Chinese
  • Vietnamese
  • Yoruba
  • Tagalog
  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Russian
  • Urdu
  • Hindi
  • Farsi
  • Portuguese
  • American Sign Language
  • Bring your Pre-Application Barcode and your documents: passport, country license, international driver’s permit*, DS2019, I-94, social security card, two proof of residency items, and drug & alcohol program certificate.
  • Once you pass the law test, you will be directed to schedule the driving test appointment.
  • You should NOT receive a Learner’s Permit because you are already a licensed driver from another country. If this happens, explain your situation again and ask to speak with a manager, if necessary.

* If you are told that you need to pay for a certified translation, you do NOT need that, as long as you have your International Driver’s Permit (IDP). The IDP is a translation of your license. Below is information you can show the MVA employee that explains from the MVA website that you need the IDP OR a translation, not both. You can also ask to speak with the manager if the employee insists that you pay for the translation. The screenshot below is from this page: https://mva.maryland.gov/drivers/Pages/md-drivers-license.aspx#mddlexchangingcountry

From the MVA website

Step 6 – Prepare for your Maryland Road Test 

  • Road test appointments can be 1-3 months out. You can only make the appointment for the road test after you have passed your driver’s law test. If you need an appointment sooner, consider MVA locations in less populated areas like Easton (Eastern Shore).
  • Review this document and practice these skills before going for your test.

Step 7 – Go to MVA to take your Road Test

  • Bring the paperwork you were given when you passed your law test.
  • Your car must have at least 1/2 tank of gasoline, no maintenance lights should be on (check engine light, etc) and you will need to show proof of registration and insurance.

Maryland ID Card Process

If you will not be driving a car, but want to have a legal state ID card to use as identification, follow this process.

Step 1 – Start Gathering Two Proof of Residency Documents

  • Item #1 – Social Security Card Envelope & Contents*
  • Item #2 – Bank Statement
    • Open a bank account.
    • Print bank statement online.

*Rematch and Extension Au Pairs who have Changed Host Families

      • Change your address with your bank or open a bank account.
      • You need to use this link to request a DS-2019 reprint with your current host family information and address. (It will arrive in 2-3 weeks)
      • If your social security card envelope shows your previous address, you will need to do a USPS Change of Address and use the confirmation letter that comes in the mail for proof of residency instead of the social security envelope with the mailing address card.

Step 2  – Make Your Appointment

  • Go to the Maryland MVA website.
  • Click the box that says Schedule an Appointment.
    • What would you like to schedule? > Select First Time Driver/ID Services > Select Apply for an Identification Card 
    • Enter your zip code and select a location to make your appointment.

Step 3 – Go to MVA to Apply for Your ID Card

  • Bring all of your documents: passport, country license, international driver’s permit, DS2019, I-94, social security card, and two proof of residency items.

  • Your ID card will come in the mail within 2 weeks.