Maine Commercial Truck Driving License
This article will show you how to get a commercial driver’s license in Maine. The process of acquiring this type of license can take months to finish especially if you are after a Hazardous Materials endorsement. Thus, it is important to know beforehand what would be required from you before personally applying for the license. You have to know what are the particular state and federal requirements that you have to comply with in order to become eligible for it.
In the state of Maine, the minimum age with which you can apply for a CDL is 16 years old unlike in other states. But, you still have to be 21 years old in order to drive on interstate. You also need to have a current driver’s license with a clean driving record if you are to pass the screening. Any conviction involving driving under the influence and other serious traffic offenses can cause you to be disqualified for the license. Hence, it is important to keep clean slate years before applying for this type of license in Maine.
Next, you also need to pass a DOT medical certification and a visual examination as well. The DOT form can be acquired at any local BMV office or at an approved medical professional’s office itself. The physician will place his or her findings on the form and you will also have to undergo the visual exam. You need to have at least a 20/40 visual acuity in order to be eligible for the license. If you have lost the sight of one eye, you need to have the required visual range. If you are under a certain medical condition, the BMV may place some restrictions to your license.
Once you have the DOT medical form, you can then proceed to apply for the written exam. For this, you will need to submit the form together with your current driver’s license, social security number, recent photo, and other valid IDs which shows your photo and signature. The written exam covers a general topic and you need to have a basic understanding of driving and road signs in order to pass this test. If you are looking for additional endorsements, they will come as a separate test.
Once you pass the written exam, you will then be given a temporary permit to drive a commercial truck as long as you are with a licensed person. This is the time for you to practice truck driving and to master the skills that are required in it. Before the permit expires, you will need to take the actual driving test where you will be tested on pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and driving in various traffic conditions. It will be a good idea to read the Maine CDL Manual in order to get more thorough information about the test. If the evaluator finds you capable of truck driving, you will then be given a commercial driver’s license in Maine after you have paid for the corresponding license fees.
You can visit this page to find the latest truck driving schools in ME that can train you on how to prepare for a Class A license.
ME Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Patty Morneault, Deputy Secretary of State
29 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0029
207-624-9000
Fax: 207-624-9013
Physical Location:
101 Hospital Street
Website: Maine DMV
Commercial Drivers Manual