There are six different endorsements available: Passenger (P); School Bus (S); Hazardous Materials “HAZMAT” (H); Tanker with Hazardous Materials (X); Tanker (N); and Doubles/Triples (T). The procedures for obtaining these endorsements vary.  See the chart below for an overview of the differences; click on the endorsement name to see more details about the process.

If you do not have a CDL, see Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If you want to upgrade a CDL at the same time, see Upgrading or Downgrading a License Class.

Note: The authority to drive a vehicle with air brakes is not considered an endorsement.  CDLs will indicate a restriction (L – vehicles without air brakes) unless you pass the air brakes knowledge test and also take the skills test using a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

How do I add a Passenger (P) and/or a School Bus (S) endorsement to my Maryland CDL?

To add either endorsement to your CDL, you must first obtain a commercial learner’s permit with the appropriate endorsement(s). Keep in mind that if you want to drive a school bus you will need to add both endorsements. Note also that if you have an intrastate waiver, you are not eligible for either the Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsements.

After you receive your commercial learner’s permit, you must hold it for at least 14 days before you can obtain a new CDL with the added endorsement(s). While you are driving with the commercial learner’s permit:

• 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 the applicable endorsement(s); and
  • Must be in the front seat, with no other front seat occupants.
• You cannot use any wireless communication device (including cell phone) except to make an emergency 911 call.

The next step is to make an appointment to take a skills test at any full-service branch office by visiting the office or by calling the Customer Service Center.  On the day of your scheduled visit, be sure to bring the following:

• Maryland commercial learner’s permit
• Maryland CDL
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) – See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.  A photographic copy of the DOT Card is acceptable.
• Vehicles to be used in taking the skills test, with a valid registration card(s).
• Supervising driver – the driver must bring his or her DOT card and CDL.
• Glasses or contact lenses, if needed.
• Payment for the new CDL (cash, check, or Master Card or Visa credit card or MVA credit voucher) (if required).

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

• Retrieve your Maryland CDL and commercial learner’s permit;
• Take your photograph.  See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines.
• Review the documents you brought with you; 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.

Upon successful completion of these steps, the Customer Agent (CA) will collect the fee owed (if required) for the CDL and issue your Maryland CDL with the proper endorsement(s).

How do I add a HAZMAT or a Tanker/HAZMAT endorsement to my Maryland CDL?

To add either endorsement to your CDL, you must first pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) HAZMAT Background Record Check (BRC). To initiate the background check process, you must schedule an appointment.  Click here and follow the directions provided to make an appointment at one of the following MVA offices:  Glen Burnie, Bel Air, Frederick, Salisbury or Waldorf.

On the day of your scheduled background check, be sure to bring the following:

• Maryland CDL
• Proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence – acceptable documentation includes:
• U.S. Citizen
  • Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
  • Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's State of birth, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State.
  • Certificate of Naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  • Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS.
• Lawful Permanent Resident:
  • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card issued by USCIS or NIS.
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (card) – See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Payment for the background check, made payable to “CJIS Central Repository”.  No cash accepted.
• Payment for the new CDL (cash, check, or MasterCard or Visa credit card or MVA credit voucher).

The MVA Customer Agent (CA) in the office will:

• Review your CDL;
• Take your photograph,  See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines.
• Review the other documents you brought with you; and
• Verify that you meet all eligibility requirements.
• Assist you in completing an electronic HAZMAT application.

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.

You will then be directed to a Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) representative stationed in the MVA office who will help you initiate the background check.  The DPSCS representative will take your fingerprints and collect the required fee.  Once the background check has been initiated, you will have to wait until the Federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sends you a letter with the results of the background check usually within 4 – 6 weeks.  Note:  that the DPSCS charges a fee for the background check. 

When you receive the TSA letter, return to any full service branch office with your letter (no appointment is needed) where you will be given the appropriate knowledge test(s).  If you pass the knowledge test(s), you’ll be directed to another Customer Agent (CA) who will collect the fee owed for the CDL and issue your corrected Maryland CDL with the proper endorsement(s).

How do I add a Tanker or Doubles/Triples endorsement to my Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?

To add either endorsement to your CDL, you will need to pass the applicable knowledge test(s) only.  You do not need to take a skills test.

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

• Maryland CDL
• DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (card) – If you qualify for an exemption or waiver, you must present the exemption/waiver statement in addition to the DOT card.  See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.
• Payment for the new CDL (cash, check, or Master Card or Visa credit card or MVA credit voucher).

Second, visit any MVA full-service branch office (no appointment is needed).  An MVA Customer Agent (CA) in the office will:

• Retrieve your Maryland CDL;
• Take your photograph. See note for MVA's Photo Guidelines
• Review the documents you brought with you; 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.

Upon successful completion of these steps, you will be given the appropriate knowledge test(s). 

If you pass the knowledge test(s), you’ll be directed to another Customer Agent (CA) who will collect the fee owed for the CDL and issue your corrected Maryland CDL with the proper endorsement(s).

Fees:

• There is a fee charged by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) for the background check. Effective March 19, 2012, the state and federal fingerprint/background checks and the TSA processing fee of $93.25 will be reduced to $90.50.  All fingerprint/background record check fees are required at the time your fingerprints are captured.  The DPSCS only accepts the following forms of payment: Check, Money Order, Master Card, Visa and Discover credit cards.  Checks and Money Orders must be made payable to the "CJIS Central Repository."  Cash is not accepted.  Note:  The Salisbury office does not currently accept Discover credit cards.
• There is a fee charged by the MVA for adding an endorsement (corrected CDL), unless you were required to first obtain a commercial learner’s permit; in this case there is no additional charge for the CDL.

Contact Information:

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

For telephone questions: