Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

What the Maryland data shows for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)s

Maryland's path to commercial truck driver (cdl) licensure runs through 266 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 21 can be licensed. Maryland folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".

Budget $139 to get started, plus $73 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Maryland, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Maryland

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
266 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$139
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$73 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maryland

Education / Training Hours
CDL Training Program
266 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$73
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) All Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Maryland? ▼
Maryland's requirements cover 266 hours of education or training, the CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test exam, and an initial fee of $139. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Maryland? ▼
To become a licensed commercial truck driver (cdl) in Maryland, you must meet the state's requirements including 266 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maryland licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for commercial truck driver (cdl)s nationally works like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Maryland. Verify the specifics with the Maryland licensing board.
Does Maryland require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing process in Maryland. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this commercial truck driver (cdl) license

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Maryland, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maryland licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.