Maryland Truck Driving License
A Maryland truck driving license will allow you to drive commercial trucks intra and interstate. It is a required by the state and federal government that anyone who will be driving trucks for pay under certain classifications should first possess a valid CDL first. The process of acquiring a commercial drivers license can be a complicated one especially if you are seeking other endorsements. It can take months before you can be granted this license so it is better to prepare earlier before applying.
The state of Maryland requires CDL applicants to be at least 18 years old at the time of the application. This is the minimum age requirement for those who wish to drive commercial vehicles inside the state, while those who will be driving interstate should be at least 21 years old. You should therefore be at least the required ages before or at the time of application. Aside from this, you also need to prove that you are physically fit to drive a truck in order to get a license.
Aside from the age requirement, applicants also need to pass a DOT medical and visual exam before applying for a CDL. The form can be found at the local BMV office or at the physician’s office itself. You have to find a DOT approved medical professional who will perform the examination. Aside from this, you also need to get your eyesight examined as the minimum visual requirement for a CDL is 20/40 either in a normal or corrected condition. The BMV may issue you a CDL even if you have certain medical conditions but they will provide restrictions as well.
Once you have these certifications, you will then proceed to the BMV office and submit the certification together with other documents. They include your current driver’s license, your social security number, any valid ID and the corresponding fees for the application. You will then be given a written test regarding general information regarding driving and road signs. If you pass this test, you will be provided with a temporary permit to drive a commercial vehicle as long as you have a licensed individual accompanying you. It is valid for a few months so make sure that you make the most out of it.
Once you feel that you are ready, you can now take the actual driving test. You will need to schedule yourself for this test by visiting the BMV office and paying for the test fees. The test will cover three aspects such as pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and driving in actual traffic in order to assess your skills. Make sure that you have learned the skills that you will be tested on prior to taking the actual exams. You can learn more about it by reading the Maryland CDL Manual which contains the important information that you have to know about truck driving. Once you pass the actual exam, you will then be given a Maryland truck driving license after you have paid the corresponding license fees.
To learn more about truck driving schools in MD, visit this directory page.
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway NE,
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
410-768-7000
1-800-492-4575
Website: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/apply/cdl/commercial.htm
Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual