Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerMaryland CDL Prep
Maryland CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Maryland commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Maryland CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Maryland
In Maryland, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Maryland age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Maryland CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Maryland. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerMaryland CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Maryland CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Maryland.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Maryland?
Yes for first-time Class A or B applicants and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. Complete ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider before the skills test, and before the hazmat knowledge test for hazmat. Drivers who already held the same class of CDL (including out-of-state) and let it lapse generally do not need ELDT again for that class.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Maryland?
Yes. Pass a physical with a National Registry medical examiner. Your Medical Examiner's Certificate is sent directly to the Maryland MVA from the National Registry. Keep it current — failure to maintain medical certification can result in CDL downgrade or disqualification.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Maryland?
Make an MVA appointment and bring proof of identity, age, Social Security number, and Maryland residency, plus your valid full Maryland driver's license. Your Medical Examiner's Certificate should already be on file with the MVA via the National Registry.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Maryland?
Yes. You must be at least 21. First-time hazmat applicants need hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test, then a TSA Security Threat Assessment. Maryland residents typically begin the TSA hazmat application in person through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration — start about 60 days before you need the endorsement.
How long is a Maryland CLP valid?
Maryland Commercial Learner's Permits are valid for one year (365 days). You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days and complete any required ELDT before taking the skills test.
Can I take my Maryland CDL skills test in another state?
Yes. Maryland accepts completed CDL skills tests from other states through CSTIMS, as long as your Maryland CLP is still valid when the CDL is issued. Drivers with a K (intrastate only) restriction cannot test out of state. Maryland does not administer skills tests for out-of-state CLP holders.
Can I transfer a temporary out-of-state CDL to Maryland?
No. Temporary commercial licenses from other states, D.C., or Canada cannot be converted or transferred. You must start with a Maryland CLP and pass the skills test in a commercial motor vehicle.
Are non-domiciled CDLs available in Maryland?
Not currently. Effective September 29, 2025, the Maryland MVA paused issuance, transfers, updates, replacements, duplicates, and renewals of all non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs until further notice.
Does PrepCDL cover Maryland?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Maryland CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.