Maine CDL License Requirements

To start your truck driving career in Maine, you must first earn a Maine commercial driver’s license (CDL). The State of Maine uses the following criteria to determine whether or not a CDL is required to drive a commercial vehicle.

• Class A: Operate vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds that tow trailers or other vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds
• Class B: Operate vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds and tow trailers or vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds
• Class C: Operate vehicles that can transport 16 or more people or vehicles that transport hazardous materials

To obtain a Maine CDL, you must be at least 16 years old, have a valid Maine drivers’ license and obtain a medical certificate. Interstate transportation of cargo is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), which requires drivers to be at least 21 years old to transport materials across state lines. CDL applicants must then pass both a written knowledge exam and a driving test. The three part driving test includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic control skills test and an on-road driving exam. The State of Maine requires that you test in a vehicle that matches the class of CDL you are trying to obtain--for example, you must test in a Class A vehicle if you wish to obtain a Class A CDL.

To drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck, a school bus or a truck with double/triple trailers, additional endorsements are needed. Endorsements are also needed to transport hazardous materials or to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver). A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required to transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement). A truck driving school will provide the education and on-road training needed to pass the CDL requirements in Maine.

Resources for Maine CDL Requirements

Visit the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website for more information.