In many cases, you will need to obtain a commercial learner’s permit before you can apply for a Maryland CDL.  However, if you have a CDL from another U.S. jurisdiction or Canada, or if you have a non-commercial Maryland license, you may be able to convert it to a Maryland CDL without a permit.

What is the procedure for converting a Maryland commercial learner’s permit to a Maryland CDL?

First, you must hold your commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before you can apply for the CDL.  While you are driving, you must comply with certain restrictions and requirements:

• A supervising driver (mentor) must accompany you.  The supervising driver:

• Must have a valid CDL of the same class as or higher class than your learner’s permit class;
• Must be 21 years or older;
• Must have a minimum of 3 years driving experience in the same or higher class; 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 DOT Card) or statement of intrastate/interstate exemption or waiver.
• If you have a CDL Intrastate Only (K) restriction on your permit, you can only drive within the State of Maryland.

The next step is to make an appointment at any MVA full-service branch office by visiting the office or by calling the Customer Service Center. Tests are not given at Baltimore City, Beltsville, Essex, Westminster and White Oak.  On the day of your scheduled visit, be sure to bring with you the following:

• Maryland commercial learner’s permit
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (card) or a photographic copy of the DOT Card – If you qualify for a waiver or exemption, you may present the waiver/exemption statement in lieu of the DOT card.  See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Vehicle to be used in taking the skills test, with a valid registration card.
• Accompanying driver – the driver must bring his or her own DOT card and CDL (in the same class or higher class than your learner’s permit).
• Glasses or contact lenses, if needed, or a completed and signed Vision Screening Form (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information).
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assessment letter – you will need this letter if you want to add a hazardous materials (H) endorsement to your CDL.

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

• Collect your commercial learner’s permit;
• Take your photograph.  See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines.
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form (form #DL-043A) and
• 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 Maryland CDL.

What is the procedure for converting an out-of-state CDL to a Maryland CDL?

First, gather the documents that you will need to present to the MVA:

• Out-of-State CDL.
• Proof of your age, identity, lawful presence, social security number or ineligibility and residency;
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (card) or photographic copy of the DOT Card – If you qualify for a waiver or exemption, you may present the waiver/exemption statement in lieu of DOT card.  See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Glasses or contact lenses if needed (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information);
• Payment for the CDL (cash, check, or MasterCard or Visa credit card).
   

Note:

1. You will be required to provide documentary proof of your Social Security Number (SSN) to the MVA.
2. If a hazardous materials (H) or the Tanker/HAZMAT endorsement(s), is/are being transferred, the MVA requires the customer to apply for a new Maryland and federal background check and retake the HME Knowledge Test.  To add either endorsement to the CDL, the customer must first initiate a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Hazmat Background Record Check (BRC initiated in Maryland.)  To initiate the background check process, you must schedule an appointment with the MVA.  Click here and follow the directions provided to make an appointment at one of the following MVA offices:

• Glen Burnie;
• Bel Air;
• Salisbury;
• Waldorf; or
• Frederick

    3.  The out-of-state CDL holder with the Passenger and School Bus "PS" endorsements must take the "PS" Knowledge Tests to transfer these endorsements per COMAR 11.17.14.06(f).  If the customer only has the "Passenger" endorsement, they are "NOT" required to take the "P" knowledge test.

Second, visit an MVA full-service branch office where a Customer Agent (CA) will:

• Collect your CDL;
• Take your photograph.  See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form; and
• Verify that you meet all eligibility requirements.
   
  Note:   MVA Photo GuidelinesBecause 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 collect the fee owed and issue your Maryland CDL.

What is the procedure for converting a Maryland non-commercial license to a Maryland CDL in the same class?

The procedure varies depending on your current license and when it was issued.  If you have a non-commercial class A or class B license that was originally issued before June 15, 1998, you are required to take a skills test, which must be scheduled.  If you need to add an endorsement to your CDL, see Adding an Endorsement to a CDL and Removing Certain Restrictions for more information.                                                           

If you are required to take a skills test, first make an appointment. You can do so by visiting a full service office or by calling the Customer Service Center. 

When you go to the MVA, be sure to bring with you the following:

• Maryland non-commercial license.
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (card) or photographic copy of the DOT Card – If you qualify for a waiver or exemption, you may present the waiver/exemption statement in lieu of DOT card.  See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Vehicle to be used in taking the skills test, with a valid registration card, if a test is required.
• Glasses or contact lenses, if needed, or a completed and signed Vision Screening Form (see Vision Screening and Requirements for more information). 

If you need to take the skills test go directly to the testing area.  Upon completion of the skills test, you will be directed to the office where a Customer Agent (CA) will:

• Take your photograph.  See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines;
• Review the documents you brought with you;
• Give you a vision screening or scan your Vision Screening Form (form #DL-043A) and
• 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 collect the fee owed and issue your Maryland CDL.

Maryland Commercial Driver's License Endorsements:  If you would like additional information on adding an endorsement onto your CDL license, please click here.

Fees:

• There is a fee for a CDL.
• If the customer holds a commercial learner’s permit, there is no additional fee since it was included in the permit fee.

Contact Information: 

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

For telephone questions: