The Maryland driver’s test just got easier.
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration has dropped from its statewide driver’s test the requirement to demonstrate parallel parking.
On Tuesday, the MVA removed the assessment from the driver’s skills test, noting that the skills used to parallel park are demonstrated during other parts of the test.
“It was determined the skill set necessary for the parallel parking, we were already testing,” said MVA spokesman Buel Young.
Skills necessary — such as the 2-point turn, braking and reversing — are all tested during the assessment, Mr. Young said. He added that the MVA is “constantly evaluating” the testing curriculum.
Parallel parking will remain part of the curriculum in the state’s driving education schools, so first-time drivers won’t get a complete pass on the skill.
In 2012, the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles admitted to foregoing parallel parking tests because it lost access to a parking lot where it assessed driver’s parking skills. A spokeswoman for the DMV said the agency has not reinstated the test as it has been unable to secure a new location to conduct the test in the time since.
Despite a failure to test the skill set for several years, officials insisted that parallel parking has not been permanently removed from the D.C. test.
“The Department of General Services is in negotiations for a new location, which would allow D.C. DMV to conduct the parallel parking portion of the road skills test,” said spokeswoman Vanessa Newton.
The skill is also not tested in Virginia, said a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Parallel parking is not on our list of requirements,” said spokeswoman Brandy Brubaker.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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