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Maryland MVA Appointment: How to Book, Reschedule or Cancel
You book a Maryland MVA appointment free on the official myMVA website: choose your service, a branch, then a date and time. Appointments are recommended for branch visits and required for road tests, while kiosks and emissions stations take you without one.
Last updated: October 2026Checked and verified against official sources: MDOT MVA and Maryland.gov
MVA Appointment Planner
Plan your visitWhat do you need to do?
Appointment required
Behind-the-wheel (road) tests are appointment-only. Bring your learner's permit, a registered and insured vehicle, and a licensed supervising driver and practice log if required. Arrive early: late arrivals may have to reschedule.
Step by step
How Do You Make a Maryland MVA Appointment?
Go to the official myMVA appointment scheduler, choose the exact service you need, pick a branch that offers it, then select an open date and time and confirm. Save the confirmation email or number. Booking is free, and for a learner’s permit you first finish the pre-application in your myMVA account.
- 1
Open myMVA
Use the official scheduler to schedule an MVA appointment, or sign in first.
- 2
Pick the service
Choose the exact task. The wrong type can mean rebooking.
- 3
Choose a branch
Not every branch offers every service, especially driving tests.
- 4
Pick date and time
Try nearby branches too if your first choice is full.
- 5
Confirm and save
Add your email to get the confirmation and document list.
No open slots?
- Check myMVA again later, since slots can open up when other people cancel.
- Try other branches that offer the same service, including ones a little farther away.
- Ask whether you need a branch at all: many tasks work online or at a kiosk.
- Still stuck? Call the MVA Contact Center at 410-768-7000.
Before you click “confirm”
- The service matches your task (for example, a correction appointment for a name change).
- The branch offers that service and is easy for you to reach.
- Your email address is entered so the confirmation reaches you.
Tests can be booked online too: the MVA lets you schedule knowledge and driving skills tests through myMVA online services or by booking a branch appointment. See the official test page.
Walk-in rules
Do You Need an Appointment at the MVA, or Can You Walk In?
It depends on the task. Appointments are recommended for every Maryland MVA branch office visit and required for behind-the-wheel tests, CDL skills tests and name changes. Kiosks need no appointment, emissions (VEIP) stations take walk-ins, and more than 60 services can be finished online on myMVA.
| Task | Where it happens | Appointment? |
|---|---|---|
| Behind-the-wheel road test | Branch with skills testing | Required |
| CDL skills test | CDL testing location | Required (24-hour notice to reschedule) |
| Name change on license or ID | Branch office | Required (correction appointment) |
| Learner’s permit and knowledge test | Full-service branch | Book after the myMVA pre-application |
| New to Maryland: license, title and registration | Branch office | Book a “New to Maryland” appointment |
| First license, ID card, REAL ID review | Branch office | Recommended |
| License renewal (if eligible), address change, duplicate | myMVA online or kiosk | Not needed |
| Vehicle registration renewal | myMVA online | Not needed |
| Emissions (VEIP) test | VEIP station or 24/7 kiosk | Walk in |
| Returning license plates | Plate return (see MVA steps) | Not needed |
Can you still walk into a branch?
The MVA describes appointments as recommended rather than required for most branch visits. Without one you may face a longer wait, so if your task needs a branch, booking ahead is the safer choice.
Road tests, CDL skills tests and name changes are the exceptions: book those before you go.
Choose correctly
Which MVA Appointment Type Should You Choose?
Choose the myMVA service that matches the exact task, not a similar one. For example, a name change uses a DL, ID or CDL correction appointment, a teen ID uses the ID card appointment, and a new resident uses a “New to Maryland” appointment. A wrong type can mean the branch cannot finish your visit.
| What you need | What to look for on myMVA | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s permit | Permit appointment (after the pre-application) | The knowledge test is taken at this appointment. |
| Driving (road) test | Behind-the-wheel / skills test | Bring your permit, a registered and insured test vehicle, and your practice log if required. |
| CDL skills test | CDL skills test appointment | Reschedule 24 hours ahead to avoid a no-show fee. |
| Moved to Maryland | “New to Maryland” appointment (5 types) | License, title and registration can be done in one visit. |
| Name change | DL, ID or CDL correction appointment | Update Social Security at least 72 hours before. |
| Maryland ID card | ID card appointment | Teens 15 to 17 can come without an adult. |
| License renewal at a branch | Renew license (or renew CDL) appointment | Only if you cannot renew online or at a kiosk. |
| Title or registration help | The matching vehicle service | Check the official title page first; many registration tasks are online. |
Service names on myMVA can change. If you are unsure which one fits, call 410-768-7000 before you book.
Moving to Maryland
How Do New Residents Book a “New to Maryland” MVA Appointment?
New residents book a “New to Maryland” appointment on myMVA and choose one of five types, such as Driver’s License, Title, and Registration. Finish the pre-application to gather your documents, then attend one visit. The MVA says you must get a Maryland license and a Maryland title and registration within 60 days of moving.
Deadline for new residents: get your Maryland driver’s license and your vehicle’s Maryland title and registration within 60 days of becoming a resident. Steps: book the “New to Maryland” appointment, complete the pre-application, then bring your documents to the visit. Official MVA guide for new residents.
Change of plans
How Do You Reschedule or Cancel an MVA Appointment?
To reschedule an MVA appointment or cancel it, sign in to myMVA or use the link in your confirmation email, then manage the booking there. Change or cancel as soon as you know, so the slot goes back to someone else. For a CDL skills test, reschedule at least 24 hours ahead to avoid a no-show fee.
To reschedule
- Sign in to myMVA, or open your confirmation email.
- Find your upcoming appointment.
- Choose a new date, time or branch that offers the same service.
- Confirm, then save the updated confirmation.
To cancel
- Sign in to myMVA, or open your confirmation email.
- Select the appointment and choose to cancel it.
- Keep the cancellation notice for your records.
- Book again later on the official scheduler when you are ready.
myMVA showing an error? Close any extra myMVA tabs, open the site fresh in a single tab and start over. If you still cannot change the booking, call 410-768-7000.
Be ready
What Should You Bring to Your MVA Appointment?
Bring your appointment confirmation, the original or certified documents listed for your service (photocopies are not accepted for items like name-change records), your current license or permit if you have one, and a way to pay the fee. For a road test, also bring a registered, insured vehicle that can pass the safety check.
| Appointment | Bring |
|---|---|
| Road test | Your valid learner’s permit, a registered and insured vehicle that passes the pre-test safety check, and a licensed supervising driver and practice log if required. Full MVA list. |
| Name change | Your current Maryland license or ID and the original or certified legal name-change document. |
| Branch renewal | Your current license and any documents on your renewal notice or confirmation. |
| Permit, first license, ID, REAL ID | Proof of identity, Social Security number and Maryland residency, as listed for your service. |
Fees: the appointment itself is free, but most services have a fee. Check the current amounts on the MVA’s license and ID fees and vehicle fees and payment options pages.
On the day
What Happens at Your MVA Appointment?
Arrive early, check in for your appointment, and an MVA employee reviews your documents, takes your photo if needed and collects the fee. Your new license or ID card is not printed at the branch: the MVA mails it, usually within 7 to 10 business days after a renewal.
Arrive early
Give yourself time to park and check in. Late arrivals for road tests may have to reschedule.
Check in and document review
Staff confirm your appointment and check that your documents match the service you booked.
Photo, vision or test
Depending on the service, you may have a photo, a vision screening, a knowledge test or a road test.
Pay the fee
You pay the fee for the service itself; the appointment has no booking charge.
Your card arrives by mail
Licenses and IDs are mailed. Track it with the MVA order status tool.
Running behind
What If You Are Late or Miss Your MVA Appointment?
If you are running late, the MVA says late arrivals for road tests may have to reschedule, so plan to arrive early. If you miss an appointment, book a new slot on myMVA. Missed CDL skills tests can carry a no-show fee unless you reschedule at least 24 hours ahead.
Late for a test
A late arrival may mean the test has to be rescheduled. Book the next open slot on myMVA.
Missed the slot
Book again on myMVA. Check other branches that offer the same service for an earlier date.
Failed the road test
You must wait at least one business day and make a new appointment before you retest.
Plan around closures
When Are MVA Offices Closed, and When Do They Stay Open Late?
All Maryland MVA branch offices and VEIP stations close on state holidays. The remaining 2026 closures are Election Day (November 3), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25 and 26). Branches stay open until 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
| Closure date (2026) | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 3 | Election Day |
| Wednesday, November 11 | Veterans Day |
| Thursday, November 26 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Friday, December 25 | Christmas Day |
| Saturday, December 26 | Christmas Day (Saturday closure) |
Extended hours
Branch offices stay open until
6:30 p.m.
on the first Thursday of the month. Upcoming dates:
When a holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on the Friday before or the Monday after, and some closures include Saturdays.
Unplanned closings: branches can also close or change hours for events such as bad weather. Before you leave, check the official Holidays, Closings & Special Hours page and MVA news. Regular hours differ by branch: Glen Burnie, Annapolis and Baltimore City list weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon, while a small office like Oakland opens only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pick a location
How Do You Choose the Right MVA Branch for Your Appointment?
Choose a branch that offers your exact service, fits your schedule and has open slots. Maryland has 24 MVA branch offices, but they differ: some offer road and CDL skills testing, some have 24/7 kiosks, and smaller offices open only a few days a week. The MVA’s dashboard shows live wait times for each branch.
Match the service
Testing, CDL work and some vehicle services are not offered everywhere. Pick the service first, then compare the branches offered for it.
Check the hours
A full-service branch may open weekdays and Saturday mornings, while a small office opens two days a week.
See live wait times
Use the official branch list and wait-time dashboard to compare locations before you book.
Other services, same trip
Some branches host partner offices, such as E-ZPass, TSA PreCheck and birth and death certificates. See the MVA’s one-stop shop services.
Kiosks and tag return
Many branches have a 24-hour kiosk and tag return box you can use without an appointment.
Plan for access needs
Ask for accommodations before your visit through ContactMVA in myMVA, so the branch is ready for you.
Skip the trip
Can You Skip the MVA Appointment by Going Online or Using a Kiosk?
Often, yes. The MVA offers more than 60 services online through myMVA at any time, with no appointment, and many branches have self-service kiosks for quick transactions. For vehicle title and registration work, MVA-licensed title services are another option, though they charge their own fees.
- Renew vehicle registration (card and stickers are mailed).
- Renew a license if your renewal notice says you are eligible.
- Change your address (free) or order a duplicate license or ID.
- Check renewal dates and read MVA letters in your account.
- Many branch kiosks run 24 hours a day.
- Handle quick tasks such as an address change or a duplicate license.
- Self-service VEIP emissions kiosks are open 24 hours at many locations.
- Businesses licensed by the MVA as title service agents can process vehicle titles and registrations for customers.
- You visit the business instead of booking an MVA branch appointment.
- They usually charge their own service fee in addition to MVA fees, so ask the price first.
Help for everyone
MVA Appointments for Teens, Language Needs and People With Disabilities
Teens aged 15 to 17 can come to an ID card appointment without an adult. Customers with disabilities can request accommodations, such as interpreters or testing support, through the ContactMVA option in myMVA before the appointment, and the knowledge test is offered in 17 languages, including American Sign Language.
Teens
A teen 15 to 17 can book and attend an ID card appointment alone. Permit and license steps for minors follow their own rules.
Accommodations
In myMVA, go to ContactMVA and choose “Accommodations for Customers with Disabilities.” An MVA representative will contact you.
Language help
Video remote or onsite interpreters can be requested through myMVA or at the branch information counter, and the knowledge test comes in 17 languages.
Deaf and hard of hearing
Call TTY 1-800-492-4575 or Maryland Relay 7-1-1. Ask ahead if you need a sign language interpreter for a test; the MVA arranges it.
Service animals
Trained service dogs and miniature horses are allowed at MVA locations; emotional support animals are not.
License photos
Religious or medical head coverings are allowed in license and ID photos, as long as your full face is visible.
Details: MVA accessibility and accommodations.
Stay safe
How Can You Avoid MVA Appointment Scams?
Book only on the official myMVA website, whose address ends in maryland.gov. The MVA does not charge a fee to schedule an appointment, so any site that asks for payment just to book is not the MVA. Never share your Social Security number or card details through a link sent by text or email.
Red flags to watch for:
- A “booking fee” just to schedule a visit
- A promise of a faster or guaranteed slot
- A text saying your license is suspended unless you pay now
- A web address that does not end in .gov
If something looks wrong, go straight to mymva.maryland.gov yourself or call the MVA at 410-768-7000.
Talk to the MVA
How Do You Contact the MVA About an Appointment?
Call the MDOT MVA Contact Center at 410-768-7000 for appointment help, or send a message through ContactMVA in myMVA. Deaf and hard of hearing callers can use TTY at 1-800-492-4575 or Maryland Relay at 7-1-1. The MVA headquarters is at 6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062.
Appointments and general help
Deaf and hard of hearing
Questions and accommodation requests
Quick answers
Maryland MVA Appointment FAQs
Short answers to the questions people ask most before an MVA visit. Still unsure? Call the MVA Contact Center at 410-768-7000.
Book on myMVAIs it free to book a Maryland MVA appointment?
Yes. Scheduling an appointment on the official myMVA website costs nothing. You pay only the normal fee for the service itself, such as a license, ID card, title or test fee. Any website that charges you just to book an MVA appointment is not the MVA.
How far in advance can I book an MVA appointment?
The MVA does not publish a fixed booking window. The myMVA calendar shows the open dates for the service and branch you choose, so book as soon as you know you need a visit, especially for road tests, and check back often because canceled slots reopen.
Do I need a myMVA account to book an appointment?
For a learner's permit, yes: the MVA asks you to complete the pre-application in your myMVA account before you book. For other services, the scheduler may ask you to sign in. A free myMVA account also shows your renewal dates and MVA letters in one place.
Can I get my license and my car's title and registration in one visit?
Yes, if you are new to Maryland. Book a "New to Maryland" appointment on myMVA and choose the Driver's License, Title, and Registration type. The MVA says you can handle your license and your vehicle's title and registration in the same visit.
Can a teenager book an MVA appointment without a parent?
A teen aged 15 to 17 can come to an ID card appointment without an adult, according to the MVA. Learner's permit and license steps for minors have their own rules, so check the requirements for that service before you book.
Will I get my license or ID card at the appointment?
No. The MVA mails all driver's licenses and ID cards; they are not printed at the branch. After a renewal, the MVA says the card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What can I do if no MVA appointments are available?
Check myMVA again later, since slots can open up when other people cancel, and try other branches that offer the same service, including ones a little farther away. Also confirm the task really needs a branch: many services work online or at a kiosk. For help, call the MVA Contact Center at 410-768-7000.
What if the MVA closes on the day of my appointment?
Before you leave, check the MVA's Holidays, Closings & Special Hours page and MVA news for unplanned closings, such as bad weather. If your branch is closed, book a new time on myMVA, and call the MVA Contact Center at 410-768-7000 if you are not sure whether your visit is affected.
Can I bring an interpreter to my MVA appointment?
The MVA offers video remote interpreting and onsite qualified interpreters, which you can request through myMVA or at the branch information counter. The knowledge test is offered in 17 languages, including American Sign Language; if your language is offered, you must attempt the test at least three times before an interpreter can be used.
Are Maryland MVA branches open on Saturday?
Some are. Larger branches such as Glen Burnie, Annapolis and Baltimore City list Saturday hours of 8 a.m. to noon, while smaller branches open only on certain weekdays. Hours differ by location, so check your branch before you book.
Do I need an appointment to use an MVA kiosk?
No. Self-service kiosks are for quick transactions and do not need an appointment. Many branches have kiosks that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and emissions testing kiosks are open 24/7 for eligible vehicles.