For millions of Americans, a driver’s license symbolizes freedom and independence. In Maryland, obtaining a driver’s license starts with a 25-question knowledge test, requiring a score of 88 percent or higher to pass. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, roughly 50 percent of those test-takers fail on their first try. Before 2023, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration used complex terms such as “agile” within its test; terms hard for many to understand. Led by Maryland DOT, an $800,000 initiative simplified the driver’s license test language down to a fifth to eighth-grade comprehension level. This project exemplifies a government agency listening to customer feedback and making driver licensing more accessible to the general population.
America's Transportation Awards 