Maryland · Handbook chapter 2 · 6 min read

Maryland basic driving rules: defensive driving, who yields the right-of-way, speed for conditions, the 3 to 4 second following distance, lane use, turns, U-turns, passing rules and parking safely.

Why this chapter matters

Right-of-way, following distance and passing rules make up a large share of any permit test. They are also the habits that prevent the most common crashes, such as rear-end collisions and left-turn crashes.

Before you drive

• Make sure you and your vehicle are fit to drive.
• Carry your learner's permit or license and the vehicle registration card.
• Adjust your seat and mirrors, and make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt.

Driving always carries risk. You manage it by adjusting your speed, lane position and direction to the conditions, keeping full control of the car, and giving yourself more time to react.

Defensive driving

The basic rule: you must control your vehicle to avoid a crash at all times. Defensive driving means:

• scanning ahead, to the sides and behind you constantly, so you spot trouble early,
• signaling your plans to others,
• keeping a safe space around your car,
• never assuming other drivers will do the right thing.

Right-of-way

Yielding means letting another driver, bicyclist or pedestrian go first. The law says who should yield, but no one is ever automatically entitled to go first: always judge the situation. Yield to:

• a driver who reaches the intersection before you,
• the driver on your right if you arrive at the same time, including at a four-way stop,
• pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers still in the intersection,
• drivers already on the through road when you stop at a T intersection,
• other traffic when a YIELD sign faces you,
• oncoming traffic when you turn left,
• traffic on the road when you come out of a driveway or private road,
• drivers already on the highway when you are on an entrance ramp.

Speed

The posted limit is the maximum for ideal conditions. It is illegal to go faster, but you may and often should go slower when conditions demand it. Moving at about the speed of other traffic, up to the limit, is safest; driving much slower than everyone else invites constant passing.

Speeding is one of the most common causes of crashes. It cuts the time you have to react, makes curves and obstacles harder to handle, lengthens your stopping distance, makes it harder for others to judge your speed, and makes crashes more violent.

Slow down for:

• sharp curves and hills where you cannot see far,
• slippery roads,
• places with pedestrians or animals,
• shopping centers, parking lots and downtown streets,
• heavy traffic, narrow bridges, tunnels and toll plazas,
• schools, playgrounds and residential streets,
• railroad grade crossings.

Following distance

Most rear-end crashes come from following too closely. The MVA recommends at least 3 to 4 seconds behind the car ahead in ideal conditions.

To check: when the car ahead passes a fixed object such as a sign or overpass, count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three." If you reach three before you pass the same object, you are at least 3 seconds back.

Behind vehicles that stop often, such as buses and delivery vans, increase the gap to 4 or 5 seconds or more.

Stopping distance

How far you travel before stopping depends on how quickly you notice the danger, the road surface, your tire tread and your brakes.

Lanes, turns and U-turns

• Stay within one lane, and change lanes only when it is safe. Do not drift over lane lines or change lanes inside an intersection.
• Keep to the right of center unless you are passing, a sign or signal allows otherwise, or an obstruction forces you over.
• Where "stay right" signs are posted, use the right lane or lanes except to pass.

Before a turn: watch for signs and signals, plan the turn early, signal before you reach it, look in every direction and adjust your speed.

U-turns are dangerous and not legal everywhere. Where one is allowed, signal left, stop and yield to oncoming traffic, then turn into the right-hand (outside) lane going the other way.

Passing

When passing is allowed, judge the time and space you need, signal, leave plenty of room and return to your lane only when you can see both headlights of the passed car in your rear-view mirror.

Pass on the left in general. Passing on the right is allowed only when it is safe, you stay on the pavement, and:

• the other driver is about to turn left, or
• the road is clear of obstructions and has two or more lanes moving in your direction, or
• you are on a clear one-way street that has at least two lanes.

When someone is passing you, yield and do not speed up.

You may not pass:

• in a marked no-passing zone, or where the solid yellow line is on your side, or across double solid yellow lines,
• within 100 feet of a bridge, elevated road or tunnel when your view is blocked,
• at or within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing,
• on the shoulder, on either side,
• near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead,
• whenever passing would interfere with other traffic.

Parking safely

A parked car must not be a hazard. Always:

• park only where parking is clearly intended, as far from traffic as possible, and as close to the curb as you can,
• set the parking brake, and put an automatic in park (or a manual in gear),
• check your mirrors and traffic before opening the door, and close it promptly,
• take your keys and lock the car.