General Driving Links

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

• Car Accident Emergency Info Form
• Driving School – A-List
• Driving School – Alfredo’s
• Driving School – Arrive Alive
• Driving School – Easy Method
• Driving School – Go
• Driving School – I Drive Smart
• Driving School – Silver Spring
• How to Handle Transportation Expenses (FAQs and tips)
• MD International Driver’s Law  (print and keep in the car glove box)
• MD MVA International Applicants General Information
• MD MVA Letter Explaining International Driver’s Law (additional document you may print and keep in the car glove box)
• Traffic & Road Sign Quizzes (good for general knowledge of typical road signs)
• USPS Change of Address (use confirmation letter for proof of residency, if you have moved)
• What to Do After an Accident
• What to Keep in the Car Glove Box

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

Step 1 – Start Gathering Two Proof of Residency Documents

• Item #1 – Social Security Card Envelope & Contents*
  • Apply for your Social Security Card 
  • When the card comes in the mail save the envelope and everything inside.
• 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 – You may need to make your appointment before you have all of your documents together because the wait time for appointments can be 1-3 months.

• 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 3 – Complete 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Course

• 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Awareness Course – 3A Driving
• 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Awareness Course – Maryland Driving School

Step 4 – Prepare for Maryland Driver’s Law Test

• MD MVA Practice Test App for Android (Free)
• MD MVA Practice Test App for iPhone (Free)
• MVA Online Practice Test
• Maryland Driver’s Handbook

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

• 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

Step 6 – Prepare for your Maryland Road Test

• 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.

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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*
  • Apply for your Social Security Card 
  • When the card comes in the mail save the envelope and everything inside.
• 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.