For a variety of reasons, you may want to reclassify your current noncommercial or commercial driver’s license (CDL) to a license of a different class (higher or lower).  This document explains the most common scenarios encountered:

• Non-commercial license holder who needs a non-commercial license of a higher class
• Non-commercial license holder who needs a non-commercial license of a lower class
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder who needs to upgrade the CDL
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder who needs to downgrade the CDL

Fees:

• When you request either a noncommercial 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 full license.
• There is a corrected license fee if you obtain a license of a lower class outside of the renewal period:
  • noncommercial license to noncommercial license;
  • CDL to CDL;
  • CDL to noncommercial license.
• There is no fee if you obtain a license of a lower class during the renewal period:
  • noncommercial license to noncommercial license;
  • CDL to CDL;
  • CDL to noncommercial license.

Contact Information:

MVA
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD  21062

For telephone questions:

How do I reclassify my non-commercial license to a license of a higher class (A or B)?

First, you must obtain a Type II Learner’s Permit; see Obtaining a Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit for information about how to apply for it.  This process entails taking a vision screening and a knowledge test.  For more information about the types of vehicles you can drive with each class of license, click here.

Once you receive the Type II Learner’s Permit, you must hold it for at least 14 days. Note that while you are driving with the learner’s permit, you must comply with certain restrictions and requirements:

• A supervising driver must accompany you.  The supervising driver:
  • Must have a valid noncommercial license or CDL in an equivalent class or higher, which has been held for at least 3 years;
  • When the license is a CDL, must have a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) or photographic copy of the Certificate/DOT Card and an exemption/waiver if applicable;
  • Must be at least 21 years old; and
  • Must be in the front seat, with no other front seat occupants.

Next, make an appointment at any MVA full-service branch office, except the following offices:  Essex, White Oak, Westminster, Beltsville, and Baltimore City.  You may make the appointment by calling or visiting the office, or by calling the Customer Service Center.  On the day of your scheduled visit, be sure to bring with you the following items:

• Vehicle of the appropriate class, with a valid registration card.
• Your Type II Learner’s Permit.
• Your current driver’s license.
• Accompanying driver – If you drive the vehicle to the test site, the accompanying driver must meet the definition of a supervising driver.
• Glasses or contact lenses.
• If you are less than 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you.

Note:  If you are only interested in driving a noncommercial class A or B motor home or recreational vehicle (RV), you can take a less demanding skills tests. However, the license issued will restrict you to driving only the motor home or RV.  For more information, see Obtaining a License to Drive a Motor Home or RV.

When you arrive for your scheduled visit you will receive the appropriate skills test.  Upon completion of the skills tests, you will be directed inside the office where a Customer Agent (CA) will:

• Collect your Type II Learner’s Permit and current Maryland driver’s license.
• Take your photograph. See note below regarding MVA Photo Guidelines.
• Review the documents you brought with you.
• Verify that you meet all eligibility requirements.

Note:   MVA Photo Guidelines:  Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.

The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:

1). Face Paint

2). Cosmetics

3). Cosmetic Contacts

4). Facial Contortions

5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing

6). Hands, etc.

If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.

If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.

References:

1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires.

When you are finished, the Customer Agent (CA) will issue your new (reclassified) license.

How do I reclassify my non-commercial license to a license of a lower class?

You may verbally request a non-commercial license of a lower class at any full-service office.  The easiest time to do so is when you renew your license.  However, you can also request a corrected license at any time.  Review the descriptions of these processes to see what you must bring with you.

How do I upgrade my commercial driver’s license (CDL)?

First, you must obtain a Maryland commercial learner’s permit; see Obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit for information about how to apply.  This process entails taking a vision screening and a knowledge test or tests. For more information about the types of vehicles you can drive with each class of license, click here.

Once you receive the commercial learner’s permit, you must hold it for at least 14 days. Note that while you are driving with the learner’s permit, you must comply with certain restrictions and requirements:

• A supervising driver must accompany you.  The supervising driver:
  • Must have a valid CDL in an equivalent class or higher, which has been held for at least 3 years;
  • Must have a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) or photographic copy of the Certificate/DOT Card and an exemption/waiver if applicable;
  • Must be at least 21 years old; and
  • Must be in the front seat, with no other front seat occupants.
• You must always carry your DOT card (or photographic copy of the card), and your exemption or waiver if applicable.
• If you have a CDL Intrastate Only (K) restriction on your permit, you can only drive within the State of Maryland.

Next, make an appointment at any MVA full-service branch office, except the following offices:  Essex, White Oak, Westminster, Beltsville, and Baltimore City.  You may make the appointment by calling or visiting the office, or by calling the Customer Service Center.  On the day of your scheduled visit, be sure to bring with you the following items:

• Vehicle of the appropriate class, with a valid registration card.
• Your Maryland commercial learner’s permit.
• Your current CDL.
• Your Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) or copy of the Certificate/DOT Card – If you have a waiver or exemption, you must present it in addition to the DOT card.  See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Accompanying driver – If you drive the vehicle to the branch office, the accompanying driver must meet the definition of a supervising driver.
• Glasses or contact lenses.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assessment letter – you will need this letter if you want to add a hazardous materials (H) endorsement to your CDL.
• If you are less than 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you.

When you arrive for your scheduled visit you will first receive the appropriate skills test.  Upon completion of the skills tests, you will be directed inside the office where a Customer Agent (CA) will:

• Collect your commercial learner’s permit and current CDL.
• Take your photograph. See note below regarding MVA Photo Guidelines.
• Review the documents you brought with you.
• Verify that you meet all eligibility requirements.

Note:   MVA Photo Guidelines:  Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.

The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:

1). Face Paint

2). Cosmetics

3). Cosmetic Contacts

4). Facial Contortions

5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing

6). Hands, etc.

If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.

If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.

References:

1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires.

When you are finished, the Customer Agent (CA) will issue your new (upgraded) CDL.

How do I downgrade my commercial driver’s license (CDL)?

You may verbally request a downgraded commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a noncommercial license of a lower class at any full-service office.  The easiest time to do so is when it is time to renew your CDL.  However, you can also request a corrected license at any time.  Review the descriptions of these processes to see what you must bring with you.

Note:  

• If you had previously downgraded your Maryland or your out-of-state CDL when you transferred your license to Maryland and it has been less than one (1) year from that downgrade date or the expiration date of your previous out-of-state CDL (whichever comes first), 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.