A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Maryland to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Maryland CDL fees start at $72 for a 8-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Maryland CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Important for Port of Baltimore chemical cargo and defense supply chain operations.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common for fuel and chemical tankers operating in the I-95 Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Maryland requires background check and fingerprinting for school bus drivers.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required. Common on I-95 northeast corridor runs.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Maryland →Interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, valid up to 24 months. Submit self-certification and MEC copy to the Maryland MVA. The 8-year CDL cycle means medical certificates must be renewed multiple times before the CDL renewal is due.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Maryland residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $72. Visit mva.maryland.gov for scheduling.
Maryland CDLs are valid for 8 years — one of the longest CDL renewal cycles in the country. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate is separate and must be renewed every 24 months for most interstate drivers, meaning you will renew your medical certificate multiple times before your CDL comes up for renewal.
A Maryland Class A CDL at age 18 allows intrastate (within Maryland) driving only. Interstate operation — crossing state lines in a qualifying CMV — requires the driver to be at least 21 under federal FMCSA regulations.
Yes. The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Fort McHenry Tunnel both prohibit certain hazardous materials. Class A explosives and certain other HazMat placard categories are not permitted through these tunnels. CDL drivers with HazMat loads must use alternate routes around the tunnels. Check SHA and MDTA for current tunnel HazMat restriction details.
Maryland CDL skills tests are administered at MVA-approved testing facilities statewide. Third-party testing providers are available in the Baltimore and Washington DC metro areas. Visit mva.maryland.gov for current testing locations, scheduling, and approved provider information.
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Maryland CDL fee is $72 for original and renewal. The 8-year renewal cycle is among the longest in the US. Knowledge test fees are approximately $25 per test. Skills test fees vary by provider — expect $100–$200 at third-party sites. Verify current amounts at mva.maryland.gov.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Maryland MD Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026