Reclassifying a Maryland License

You can reclassify your driver's license to a higher or lower class — whether you hold a standard non-commercial license or a commercial driver's license (CDL). Find your situation below.

Reclassify a non-commercial license to a lower class

You may request a non-commercial license of a lower class at any full-service MVA office. The easiest time to do this is when you renew your license, but you can request a corrected license at any time. 

Reclassifying (upgrading or downgrading) a commercial driver's license

Upgrade a CDL

Visit the CDL Classifications, Endorsements & Restrictions page to learn more about upgrading or downgrading your CDL and getting any endorsements. Please note:

• You may request a downgraded CDL at any full-service MVA office. The easiest time to do so is when it is time to renew your CDL, but you can request a corrected license at any time.
• If you previously downgraded your Maryland or out-of-state CDL when you transferred your license to Maryland and it has been less than one (1) year, the knowledge and skills tests are not required.
• If your license has been downgraded for any reason for one (1) year or more, you will be required to obtain a CDL learner's permit and retest to upgrade your CDL.

Converting a U.S. military license to a Maryland CDL

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration may waive the skills tests for a United States service member who meets the following criteria if they are trying to obtain a Maryland Class A or B CDL. Learn about eligibility for the CDL skills waiver.

Warning: Out-of-state CDL training & temporary CDLs

A temporary CDL issued by another state or jurisdiction cannot be converted or transferred into a Maryland CDL. The MVA does not issue a temporary CDL driver's license of this type nor does it recognize a temporary CDL that has been issued by another state, D.C. or Canada for the purpose of converting or transferring it into a Maryland CDL.

Contact the CDL training school and the out-of-state motor vehicle administration before you attend any CDL training to find out what type of CDL license you will be eligible to receive. Many applicants unfortunately complete the out-of-state licensing process and are issued a temporary CDL only to find out that they are only eligible to receive a Maryland non-commercial driver's license and that they may have wasted weeks of time and thousands of dollars at the CDL training school.

Fees

• When you request either a non-commercial or commercial license (CDL) of a higher class, you must first obtain a learner’s permit; the fee for the permit includes the fee for obtaining the license.
• There is a corrected license fee if you obtain a license of a lower class outside of the renewal period:
  • non-commercial license to non-commercial license;
  • CDL to CDL;
  • CDL to non-commercial license.
• There is no additional fee if you obtain a license of a lower class during the renewal period:
  • nonc-ommercial license to non-commercial license;
  • CDL to CDL;
  • CDL to non-commercial license.
• There is a fee for a CDL.
• If the customer holds a commercial learner's permit, there is no additional fee since the fee was included in the permit fee.

Getting your new license

Your new license will be mailed to your Maryland residential address within 7 to 10 business days. Your card incorporates cutting-edge security features to help protect against identity theft and fraud. It also meets all state and federal standards and is REAL ID compliant. 

During your appointment, your current/previous Maryland driver’s license (if applicable) will be returned to you along with a new interim receipt; or your out-of-state driver’s license will be invalidated by the MVA with a hole punched in it and returned to you along with a new interim receipt. Please destroy your old photo license after you have received your new one.