Get or Renew a CDL
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A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) allows you to drive large trucks, buses, and certain vehicles that carry hazardous materials. Maryland follows both state and federal requirements for issuing CDLs. To get a CDL, you must:
- Meet age requirements
- Meet medical and vision standards
- Complete required training
- Pass knowledge and skills tests
- Obtain any needed endorsements
Make sure you qualify before applying for a CDL in Maryland. You must meet the following requirements:
- already hold a valid, full Maryland driver’s license
- be at least 18 years old to drive commercially within Maryland (intrastate only) or be at least 21 years old to drive across state lines (interstate), transport hazardous materials, or transport passengers
- provide proof of identity, age, Social Security number, and Maryland residency
Applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Maryland
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Determine the commercial vehicle class that matches the vehicle you plan to drive
- Class A — Combination vehicles like tractor-trailers
- Class B — Heavy straight vehicles like large buses or box trucks
- Class C — Smaller vehicles that transport hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers
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Complete the required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
You must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a provider listed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry before taking your CDL skills (road) test or HAZMAT knowledge test. This training is required if:
- You are applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
- Adding certain endorsements, such as Passenger (P), School Bus (S), or Hazardous Materials (H) for the first time
Please note: ELDT must be completed before taking the HAZMAT knowledge test.
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Meet the medical and vision requirements
You must meet both federal and Maryland medical standards to obtain and keep a CDL. This means passing a physical exam performed by a medical examiner listed on the Federal National Registry for a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card).
Your Medical Examiner’s Certificate will be sent directly to the MVA from the FMCSA National Registry. Keeping your medical certification current is required to maintain your CDL.
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Apply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
- Make an appointment to visit an MVA branch office
- Bring required identification documents
- Pass the required CDL knowledge (written) tests for the class of vehicle and any endorsements you want
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Schedule a CDL skills test appointment
You must complete the required Entry-Level Driver Training, obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), and hold your CLP for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills (road) test.
The Commercial Driver's License Manual - PDF - 10.86 MB provides instructions and general information you need to prepare for the commercial driver’s licensing skills tests. Note: The School Bus Endorsement Study Guide (section 10) provides information you need for school bus skills.
The skills test includes:
- A pre-trip vehicle inspection
- The time limit for the pre-trip inspection is 45 minutes
- Basic vehicle control skills
- The time limit for the skills maneuver test is 10 minutes per maneuver
- An on-road driving test
You must provide a representative vehicle that matches the CDL class and type you are applying for to use during the test.
- A pre-trip vehicle inspection
What to expect after applying for a CDL
Once you pass the skills test, you'll receive an interim license document to carry with you while you receive your CDL in the mail. Your CDL will be mailed to your mailing or residential address on file with the MVA within 7-10 business days.
If you need additional endorsements, you'll need to complete the requirements needed like extra testing or background checks. Visit the CDL Classifications, Endorsements & Restrictions page for more information.
Keeping your CDL valid
- Keep your Medical Examiner’s Certificate current
- Update your address with your myMVA online services account
- Follow all state and federal commercial driving laws
Failure to maintain medical certification or comply with regulations will result in CDL downgrade or disqualification.
More information about CDLs
Drivers who have held out of state CDL and drivers who previously held a CDL, but who have let it lapse, are not required to go through training to get the same class of CDL again.
CDL applicants are required to take Entry-Level Driver Training prior to taking the driver’s skills test if they are:
- getting a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time;
- getting a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
Applicants must complete this training prior to taking the Skills Test, or before the knowledge test for Hazardous Materials endorsements.
For driver license and ID information for veterans, including adding the Veteran Designation and CDL test waivers, visit the Military Service Members CDL Waiver page.
- Maryland accepts completed CDL skills tests from other states.
- Maryland commercial driver’s license (CDL) permit holders can complete their skills tests in another state.
- The permit must be valid and cannot expire before the new Maryland CDL can be issued.
- Applicants with a K restriction (intrastate only), such as individuals under 21 years old, may not drive out of state. Out of state skills tests will not be accepted.
- Maryland does not perform CDL skills tests for permit holders from other states. Please make sure that the state you wish to be tested in will provide a skills test before obtaining a Maryland CDL permit.
How to apply another state’s CDL skills test for a Maryland CDL
The Maryland MVA works with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) through the Commercial Skills Test Information Management System (CSTIMS).
- When a Maryland CDL applicant completes a skills test out-of-state, the results are sent to the MVA through the CSTIMS site.
- When the CDL applicant reports an out-of-state test and requests a Maryland CDL, the CDL process can be completed, provided the permit is still valid.
- A temporary commercial driver’s license issued by another state or jurisdiction cannot be converted or transferred into a Maryland commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- The Maryland MVA does not issue temporary commercial driver’s licenses or recognize temporary commercial driver’s licenses issued by other states, the District of Columbia, or Canada.
- To obtain a Maryland commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must start the process in Maryland with a CDL learner's permit and pass the skills tests in a commercial motor vehicle.
- Contact the commercial driver’s license training school before you attend any training to find out what type of commercial driver’s license you will be eligible to receive.
If your name is different from the name on your birth certificate, then you are required to provide the MVA with an original or certified copy of the document that changed your name (i.e. marriage certificate, divorce decree, court ordered name change, etc.). A cross-reference record will be created with the name on your birth certificate.
The MVA will only accept an original certificate of marriage that has been certified and issued by that jurisdiction’s authority (i.e. department of vital records/statistics or local or state court system).