Best Maryland MVA location for driver's test?

[Anonymous]

The Frederick Route is pretty simple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJsIFB8A3QY

[Anonymous]

My son wanted to get practice so he tried three routes from central Maryland. We recorded the test routes that were provided by friends.

Westminster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORRsVenEhAs

Frederick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJsIFB8A3QY

Gaithersburg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxiIKyfmCpg

I think the Frederick facility is nicer and less congested compared to Westminster and Gaithersburg. You will see from the videos that the courses are similar. It should take about 10 minutes with traffic and lights.

BTW, the practice was pretty useful and he passed on the first try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cumberland 4 hrs away, we actually did this.

Was cumberland easy because i have to go there soon

[Anonymous]

Is it true that parallel parking is no longer required to pass the driver's test in Maryland?

[Anonymous]

Be glad there is the parallel parking requirement. When I took the driver's license test in MA many, many years ago, it was not strictly required so the result is that I never learned to parallel park. We always happened to live where it was not needed, BUT I know it is a life skill I should have mastered. Now I feel it is way too late to learn to do it. And really it gives anyone much more freedom in a metro area like DC to be able to just pull up and park any where.

[Anonymous]

Is there a place in Glen Burnie? I think that's where I tested and passed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cumberland 4 hrs away, we actually did this.

I'm going to Cumberland and wanted to know how it went

[Anonymous]

I have major questions about the MVA Carroll County/Westminster office and their testing route. The office is in a cramped parking lot, and the instruction at the very end of the test to pull into the "turn out" behind the building (so the tester can get out) is approached in such a way that unless the kid knows to do a "u" turn to get into the space, they can easily get fooled into "driving the wrong direction" into the pull out.

I'm positive that is how my daughter "who (according to the tester) did well until the very end - when she ended up going the "wrong way" - was disqualified. And it is almost 2 mos before there are any re-take options anywhere in MD. Definitely going to our home MVA of Frederick next time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that parallel parking is no longer required to pass the driver's test in Maryland?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/parallel-parking-becomes-an-untested-skill-in-maryland/2015/05/20/a389ef8c-ff07-11e4-805c-c3f407e5a9e9_story.htmit is t


Yes it is true the requirement has been removed. I do think it is an important skill especially if your kids plan to drive in DC.

[Anonymous]

I added the Hagerstown Route - see post above for other Westminster, Gaithersburg and Frederick routes. As you will notice, the routes are similar in complexity. I personally prefer less congested areas (Frederick and Hagerstown) over Gaithersburg or Glen Burnie.

https://youtu.be/3pBTCaY0zDc

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have major questions about the MVA Carroll County/Westminster office and their testing route. The office is in a cramped parking lot, and the instruction at the very end of the test to pull into the "turn out" behind the building (so the tester can get out) is approached in such a way that unless the kid knows to do a "u" turn to get into the space, they can easily get fooled into "driving the wrong direction" into the pull out.

I'm positive that is how my daughter "who (according to the tester) did well until the very end - when she ended up going the "wrong way" - was disqualified. And it is almost 2 mos before there are any re-take options anywhere in MD. Definitely going to our home MVA of Frederick next time!

Just a heads up on the "2 months re-take" timeframe. You get an earlier appointment by checking hourly/daily. The website opens up spots when people cancel. I know it's a pain to keep checking but it will reduce the time.

[Anonymous]

Just amazed by the number of people who are seeking an "easy" MVA especially the person sweating over Cumberland.

If you are a good driver you should be able to pass at an MVA. It's an incredibly easy test. All you have to do is obey the traffic laws yet there are some 16 year olds who have already developed atrocious habits mostly learned from watching their own parents.

[Anonymous]

I wanted a harder test for my child versus an easy test. My child tested at Westminster. The place was very crowded and no place to park. I had to park in the overflow lot which requires getting back onto Rt 140 to get to and from the lot. However, the employees were friendly. After my child passed, the wait for the issuing of the license was over 45 minutes. While the test is easy for a veteran driver, it is very nerve racking for a teenager with a strange adult observing everything the he/she does. A bit of advice, weeks before the test, see what test route is taken and have the teenager drive it. With practice, the teenager will be less stressed about the unknown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted a harder test for my child versus an easy test. My child tested at Westminster. The place was very crowded and no place to park. I had to park in the overflow lot which requires getting back onto Rt 140 to get to and from the lot. However, the employees were friendly. After my child passed, the wait for the issuing of the license was over 45 minutes. While the test is easy for a veteran driver, it is very nerve racking for a teenager with a strange adult observing everything the he/she does. A bit of advice, weeks before the test, see what test route is taken and have the teenager drive it. With practice, the teenager will be less stressed about the unknown.

Another piece of advice. Many teenagers drive the same route over and over again and clueless parents have no idea that they are hurting the kid. Get them out into the unknown well before the test and let them choose the route. You would be surprised about how many get confused when they get three miles away from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a place in Glen Burnie? I think that's where I tested and passed.

Just took mine there