How to Get a CDL in Maine (2026)
Complete sequence to get your Maine CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and Maine BMV requirements.
Maine CDL Facts at a Glance (2026)
| Knowledge test fee | $70 Class A/B/C commercial examination fee (covers the first road test); $20 per endorsement examSource: legislature.maine.gov |
|---|---|
| CDL license fee | $34 for 5 years, under age 65 ($59 REAL ID); $27 for 4 years age 65+ ($47 REAL ID)Source: maine.gov |
| Skills test fee | Included in the $70 commercial exam fee for the first road test; $70 reexamination; $70 extra for a missed appointment without 48 hours' noticeSource: legislature.maine.gov |
| Endorsement fee | $20 each endorsement (exam fee)Source: maine.gov |
| General knowledge test | 80% or higher to pass (federal minimum, 49 CFR 383.135); Maine BMV sets the number of questions |
| Hold the CLP before the skills test | 14 daysSource: legislature.maine.gov |
| CLP valid for | No more than 1 yearSource: legislature.maine.gov |
| Where | Maine BMV · Maine CDL manual |
State figures are copied from the linked official pages and were last checked November 4, 2026. Fees change; confirm with Maine BMV before you pay.
Do I Need ELDT?
- Getting a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time: yes, theory and behind-the-wheel training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, before the skills test (49 CFR 380.603).
- Upgrading Class B to Class A: yes. A shorter upgrade theory course is allowed (84 FR 8029); behind-the-wheel stays the same. Class B to Class A upgrade guide.
- Adding Hazmat (H), Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) for the first time: yes. Hazmat is theory only; P and S are theory and behind-the-wheel.
- CDL or CLP issued before February 7, 2022: no, as long as you get the CDL before that CLP (or its renewal) expires (49 CFR 380.603).
- Renewing, or adding an endorsement you already held: no new ELDT.
- The one-year window: except for Hazmat, theory and behind-the-wheel must be finished within one year of finishing the first one (49 CFR 380.603(c)(3)). A completed ELDT record does not expire.
Behind-the-wheel training is done in person; find a provider near you on the FMCSA registry search.
What It Costs and Where to Start in Maine
Every FMCSA-registered ELDT theory course is $20, online, and finished in under 2 hours. Completion is filed to the federal Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
- Hazmat — $20 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- CDL A — $20 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- CDL B — $20 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- Passenger — $20 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- School Bus — $20 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- 3-Endorsement Bundle — $50 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- All Bundles — from $30 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- Hazmat + Test Prep — $30 FMCSA-registered ELDT
- CDL-A Permit Prep — $15 DMV study aid — not ELDT
Not sure which one?
- I already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement — you only need the endorsement course: Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus, $20 each. Skip CDL-A and CDL-B entirely.
- I'm brand new and have no CDL — start with CDL-A or CDL-B theory, then complete behind-the-wheel training locally. Theory alone does not get you licensed.
- I want all three endorsements — the 3-endorsement bundle is $50 instead of $60 separately.
- What's the cheapest way to do everything? — bundles are the floor: $50 for H+P+S, or $30 for either CDL theory course paired with permit prep. Adding Hazmat all-in, including the federal TSA background check and your state's endorsement fee, typically runs $110–$150.
- Tanker (N) or Doubles/Triples (T)? — neither has an ELDT requirement. The federal rule covers Class A, Class B, the B-to-A upgrade, and Hazmat, Passenger and School Bus only. Both are knowledge-test only at your state DMV: Tanker Test Prep — $15, or Hazmat & Tanker Complete — $45 if you need the Hazmat ELDT too.
Maine CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture
To get a Commercial Driver's License in Maine, you work through Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including Maine — any new CDL applicant, class upgrade, or endorsement addition requires you to complete FMCSA-registered ELDT before sitting for the CDL skills test.
How to Get a CDL in Maine — Step by Step
Pass the DMV permit test at Maine BMV
Study for and pass the knowledge test at Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV) to earn your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
Hold your CLP for at least 14 days
Federal minimum before you can take the CDL skills test — Maine follows the federal 14-day rule.
Complete FMCSA-registered ELDT theory training
This is what DLA Academy provides — $20 per course, 100% online, auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
Complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training
Done at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider for CDL-A and CDL-B — separate from DLA Academy. Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus are theory-only on the federal side.
Pass the CDL skills test at Maine BMV
Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and the road test. Maine BMV verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before you test.
Receive your Maine CDL
Once you pass, Maine BMV issues your CDL — you're cleared to drive commercially.
Hazmat endorsement applicants additionally need TSA threat-assessment fingerprinting through IDEMIA Universal Enroll (standard process — TSA says to allow up to 60 days for clearance).
Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training — Required, But Not From Us
For CDL-A and CDL-B applicants, federal ELDT requirements have two parts: theory (what DLA Academy provides) and behind-the-wheel training (BTW). BTW must be completed at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider — typically a trucking school, a CDL training facility, or an employer-sponsored program. DLA Academy does not offer BTW.
BTW for CDL-A and CDL-B typically takes 40–160+ hours depending on the program, costs $3,000–$10,000+ depending on the provider, and must be done at an FMCSA-registered facility (the FMCSA TPR has a directory) — many are located in Maine metro areas.
For Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsements: no BTW required. Those endorsements are theory-only on the federal side — though some states require additional in-vehicle testing for School Bus and Passenger at the state level.
TSA Hazmat Fingerprinting
For the Hazmat endorsement, Maine requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). TSA says to allow up to 60 days for a decision, so enroll at least 60 days before you need the endorsement. Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV) cannot add the H endorsement to your CDL until TSA clears you.
Maine CDLs are issued by Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV).
Pre-February 2022 CDL Holders — Are You Grandfathered?
The FMCSA ELDT mandate took effect February 7, 2022. If your CDL was issued before that date, you are grandfathered for your current license class. You don't have to retroactively complete ELDT to keep driving.
BUT — grandfathering only covers your existing license class. If you're doing any of the following after February 7, 2022, ELDT is required regardless of when your CDL was issued:
- Upgrading from Class B to Class A → need CDL-A Theory ELDT
- Upgrading from Class C to Class B → need CDL-B Theory ELDT
- Adding the Hazmat (H) endorsement → need Hazmat ELDT
- Adding the Passenger (P) endorsement → need Passenger ELDT
- Adding the School Bus (S) endorsement → need School Bus ELDT
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before issuing the new class or endorsement.
Apply for your CLP, schedule skills tests, and verify ELDT submission through your state agency's CDL portal.
Every course is FMCSA-registered and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry. Accepted at Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Maine BMV).
Add the H endorsement to your Maine CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.
Maine Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at Maine BMV.
Maine Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
Add the S endorsement to your Maine CDL to drive a school bus.
Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in Maine.
Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for Maine.
Common Questions About ELDT & CDL Endorsements
More Maine CDL Resources
Bundles cost less than the same courses bought one at a time, and every price below is the bundled price.
Not sure which one? Every bundle is listed here, with what each one contains.
Training a crew? Fleet accounts cover 10 or more drivers from $29 a seat, billed once, with every completion tracked in one place.
Sending drivers our way? The affiliate program pays you for every enrollment you refer.
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Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Maine CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today
FMCSA-registered ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.