CDL Classifications, Endorsements & Restrictions

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If you want to drive commercial vehicles in Maryland, you need the right:

Classifications for the types of vehicle you'll drive
Endorsements for the loads you'll operate
Restrictions for legal driving based on medical requirements or vehicle equipment

CDL Classifications

Maryland issues three main CDL classes, A, B and C. The class you need depends on the size and type of vehicle you’ll drive.

Class A

A Class A CDL is the broadest license and lets you drive almost any commercial vehicle. You'll be able to drive:

Combination vehicles with a tractor/power unit and trailer(s)
Gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, with trailer gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds

Examples include tractor-trailers and truck and trailer combos.

Class B

A Class B CDL allows you to drive:

Single vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
Gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, with trailer gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less

Examples include large buses (city or tour buses), straight trucks, and dump trucks with small trailers.

Class C

A Class C allows you to drive smaller commercial vehicles that do not meet Class A or B weight rules, but are designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or carry hazardous materials requiring placards

Examples include smaller passenger vans with 16+ seats and vehicles transporting hazardous materials that must show warning placards.

CDL Endorsements

Endorsements are added to your CDL to show you are qualified to drive certain vehicles or carry certain loads. Each endorsement requires passing written tests, skills tests, and, in some cases, a background check. View the chart below for all requirements with more explanation below.

CDL Endorsements Requirements
CDL Endorsement Requirements
Endorsements	Learner's Permit Required	Knowledge Test Required	Skills Test Required	Background Check Required
Passenger (P)	Yes	Yes*	Yes	No
School Bus (S)	Yes	Yes*	Yes	No
HAZMAT (H)	No	Yes	No	Yes
HAZMAT/Tanker (X)	No	Yes	No	Yes
Tanker (N)	No	Yes	No	No
Doubles/Triples (T)	No	Yes	No	No

*Knowledge tests are taken when applying for the commercial learner's permit for P and S endorsements.

P — Passenger vehicle endorsement

You need this to drive: Vehicles that carry 16 or more passengers, such as buses

To get this endorsement: Pass a Passenger Endorsement knowledge and skills test.

S — School bus endorsement

You need this to drive: School buses

To get this endorsement: Pass the Passenger and School Bus knowledge tests and School Bus skills test.

N — Tank vehicle endorsement

You need this to drive: Vehicles that carry liquids or gases in tanks, like fuel or water tankers

To get this endorsement: Pass the Tank Vehicle knowledge test.

H — Hazardous materials endorsement

You need this to drive: Vehicles carrying hazardous materials that require a warning placard

To get this endorsement: Pass the Hazardous Materials knowledge test and complete a TSA background check and fingerprinting. If you don't already have a CDL, you must also pass a skills test.

Learn about HAZMAT endorsements

X — Combination endorsement (tank + hazardous materials)

You need this to drive: Tank vehicles and vehicles carrying hazardous materials that require a warning placard

To get this endorsement: Qualify for both the N and H endorsements, as explained above.

T — Doubles and Triples endorsement

You need this to drive: Two or more trailers. NOTE: Triples are not allowed under Maryland Law, but you can still get the endorsement T with a knowledge test.

To get this endorsement: Pass the Doubles and Triples knowledge test.

CDL Restrictions

Some commercial drivers have restrictions on their CDL that limit what they can legally drive. These are usually based on medical requirements or the equipment on the vehicle.

B — You need corrective lenses (like glasses or contacts) to meet vision standards
E — You may drive CMVs with automatic transmissions only
L — You cannot drive air brake equipped CMVs
O — You cannot drive a combination vehicle with a fifth wheel connection (e.g. no tractor trailer CMV).
Z — You may drive air over hydraulic brake system equipped vehicles, but not full air brakes vehicles.
M — You may only operate Class B and C passenger vehicle or school buses.
N — You may only operate Class C passenger vehicle or school buses.
V — You have a Medical Variance via FMCSA interstate waiver
K — You are restricted to intrastate driving, meaning within MD only. (e.g. CDL holders under 21 years old, or with a MVA issued intrastate waiver)

For more information on the medical waivers for V and K restrictions, visit the CDL Medical Certification Requirements in Maryland page.

Learn more about getting a CDL in Maryland on the Get or Renew a CDL page.

Frequently Asked Questions

To add either endorsement, you must first get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with the appropriate endorsement.

A few things to know:

To drive a school bus, you need both the P and S endorsements.
For the P endorsement, you must pass a written test
For the S endorsement, you must pass a written test and a School Bus Skills Test.
If you have an intrastate waiver, you are not eligible for the Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsements.

Schedule your testing appointments through your myMVA account: