1. A. Under Transportation Article, §16-505, Annotated Code of Maryland, a student shall complete a minimum of 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.

2. B. The behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education program shall be taught by:

   1. (1) A certified instructor; or
   2. (2) An apprentice instructor under supervision of an experienced certified instructor.
3. C. A certified school shall conduct the behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education course curriculum only for a student that has a valid learner's permit.
4. D. An instructor shall verify that the individual receiving the behind-the-wheel instruction has a valid learner's permit prior to providing the instruction.
5. E. Certified schools shall conduct the behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education course curriculum according to the standards established by the Administration.

6. F. Behind-the-wheel instruction shall be conducted:

   1. (1) In an approved training vehicle as set forth in Regulation .33 of this chapter; and

   2. (2) On routes that:

      1. (a) Are preplanned, documented, and available at the driver education school office and in the training vehicle for review by the Administration;
      2. (b) Allow a student to practice the concepts taught in the classroom; and
      3. (c) Achieve the objectives of the approved curriculum of instruction.

7. G. Behind-the-wheel instruction shall:

   1. (1) Be based on a written lesson plan with routes that support the concepts and objectives in the approved curriculum of instruction;
   2. (2) Provide a student with an opportunity to operate the training vehicle on a variety of traffic mixes and conditions;
   3. (3) Emphasize the knowledge, skills, and behavior needed to safely operate a motor vehicle;

   4. (4) Be scheduled in a manner that allows for:

      1. (a) Debriefing periods during the session for the instructor to review activities and evaluate performance;
      2. (b) A student to complete the learning activities in the approved sequence; and
      3. (c) A student to complete missed instruction in a reasonable time frame;
   5. (5) Include time for remedial and additional instruction as needed;
   6. (6) Include evaluation of a student's performance based on the learning objectives in the approved driver education curriculum; and
   7. (7) Include documentation of the evaluation results on a form approved by the Administration.
8. H. Any time provided for rest periods or meal intermissions may not be counted as part of the minimum 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.
9. I. The certified school shall develop a schedule and assign instructors and training vehicles so that individuals participating in a course may complete the required 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction within 18 weeks or longer on request of the student.
10. J. Behind-the-wheel instruction for a student operating a training vehicle may not exceed 2 hours.
11. K. An instructor shall be seated in the front passenger seat at all times during the behind-the-wheel instruction.

12. L. During an enrolled student's behind-the-wheel instruction, only two observers at a time may be permitted to ride along and shall be limited to:

    1. (1) Students enrolled in the program;
    2. (2) Approved instructor trainers conducting instructor certification courses;
    3. (3) A certified instructor supervising an apprentice instructor;
    4. (4) An apprentice instructor;
    5. (5) Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the program;
    6. (6) A representative of the driving school management involved in a quality assurance function;
    7. (7) A representative from the Administration; or
    8. (8) An interpreter.
13. M. Time spent observing an instructor or another student completing a behind-the-wheel instruction may not be counted as part of the minimum 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.

Authority: Transportation Article, §§12-104(b), 12-117, 13-621, 15-102—15-111, 15-701—15-710, 15-801—15-807, 16-212.1(b), and 16-501—16-507, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: November 21, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 2013)

Regulation .06C amended as an emergency provision effective December 11, 2008 (36:2 Md. R. 98); amended permanently effective February 23, 2009 (36:4 Md. R. 354)

Regulation .08A, E amended as an emergency provision effective December 11, 2008 (36:2 Md. R. 98); amended permanently effective February 23, 2009 (36:4 Md. R. 354)

Regulation .09A amended as an emergency provision effective December 11, 2008 (36:2 Md. R. 98); amended permanently effective February 23, 2009 (36:4 Md. R. 354)

Regulation .14A, B amended effective October 1, 2009 (36:19 Md. R. 1437)

Regulation .33F amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)