Safe And Sober

3 Hour Alcohol and Drugs for people with an out of country license.

Who needs to take this course?

The 3 hour Safe & Sober class is for individuals presently holding. A license from a foreign country and wish to obtain a Maryland Driver’s License.

Silver Spring Driving Academy offers the 3-Hour Alcohol and Drug Education Program,online or in classroom, for people with an out of country license.

Register for Safe & Sober (onLine form)

If you are an applicant for a Maryland driver's license you must complete the 3-hour alcohol and drug education program before you can receive the license if you:

currently possess an Armed Forces License only.
currently possess a driver's license from another country.

Note that people who currently possess a driver's license from another state in the United States, a U.S. territory, Canada or the Yukon territory do not have to attend this program.

How long is this Class?

The class is only 3 hrs.

When can I take this class?

Classroom version is offered on Saturdays only from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. We accept walk-ins.

What if I do not understand English?

This program is only offered in English. However, you may bring someone with you to help translate the quizzes and tests if desired.

Does this certificate have an expiration date?

Yes, your certificate of completion will be valid 1 year from the date it was issued.

What happens if my certificate of completion has expired, destroyed, lost, or mutilated and I have not yet completed the process to get my Maryland Driver License?

If your certificate of completion has expired, destroyed, lost, or mutilated you will then need to re-take the Safe & Sober classes all over again at your own expense. Certificate cannot be re-issued without taking the classes again.

Exchanging an Out-of-Country License for a Maryland License

Bring the following to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration:

Proof of age/identity, lawful presence, verifiable social security number or proof of ineligibility.

Maryland residence, Out-of-Country license(s), and the appropriate fee for each license for which you apply. Please refer to Sources of Proof for required documentation.

You must pass a vision test, knowledge test, and driving test.

An Out-of-Country license may be valid or expired. The license cannot be suspended.

If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.

If you have never been licensed in the U.S., you must complete a 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol.

Education Program (Safe & Sober: A Guide to Driving in Maryland.)

A valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical card or federal/MVA waiver (if applying for a Commercial Driver’s License) is needed.

An Out-of-Country license may be required to be accompanied by an international driver's license or translated into English by an approved MVA translator.

If you are from Out-of-Country, and have never held a license, you must obtain a learner’s permit.

Please visit the Maryland MVA website for additional information.