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Maryland trucking rules

Fees, CDL costs, weight and size limits, chain laws and new bills for truckers and trucking companies in Maryland. Updated 2026-10-22.

Must-know rules · Weight, oversize & chains · Fees · Bills

Must-know rules

Maryland's biggest trucking issue is the Baltimore harbor crossings. The Fort McHenry (I-95) and Harbor (I-895) tunnels ban many hazmat loads and some oversize loads, and the detour is the western I-695 Beltway. Maryland State Police run 11 weigh and inspection sites, and they offer Drivewyze PreClear bypass. The searches did not confirm four topics, so they are left out: truck-specific speed limits, winter chain or traction rules, IFTA/IRP or other state taxes, and the rule on who must stop at

Researched by our AI agent from the linked sources on 2026-10-21. Always confirm with the source.

• Must knowHazmat ban in Baltimore tunnels

  Vehicles carrying bottled propane over 10 lb per container (max 10 containers), bulk gasoline, flammable liquids, explosives, radioactive and other hazmat are barred from the Fort McHenry (I-95) and Harbor (I-895) tunnels. These vehicles should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels.

  The Transport of Hazardous Materials Across our Toll Facilities (MDTA)
• Must knowTunnel hazmat details (COMAR 11.07.01.04)

  Class 1 explosives and Class 2.1 flammable gas are prohibited in the tunnels, with exceptions for propane, LPG, CNG and LNG. Tank vehicles used for Class 3 flammable liquids are barred even when empty. The regulation lists other exceptions, so read the full text.

  .04 Tunnel Restrictions (COMAR 11.07.01.04)

Weight limits, oversize permits and chain laws

Our agent is still researching Maryland's weight, size and chain rules. Check back soon.

Fees and DOT requirements

Maryland charges one flat CDL fee of $64 for an 8-year license, with no separate Class A or B price. Heavy-truck registration is weight-based and stacks per-1,000-lb rates with add-on surcharges, so the official schedule does not give a single total. Maryland does not appear to license intrastate for-hire freight carriers (I found no official statement either way). Passenger carriers need PSC authority, and intrastate-only trucks over 10,000 lb must display a USDOT or Maryland DOT number.

Class B CDL

$64 for 8 years (about $8 a year)
The MVA schedule lists a $64 CDL renewal for an 8-year license, with no fee split by class. I did not find an itemized new-issue fee. Other listed fees: CDL learner's permit $106, skills retest $20, duplicate $30, and HazMat background check $109.25. A CDL with a Hazmat endorsement is a 5-year licen Source

Class A CDL

$64 for 8 years (about $8 a year)
The MVA schedule uses the same single CDL fee for all classes, so Class A is also $64 for 8 years (the $30 Hazmat CDL is a 5-year license). Same permit ($106), skills retest ($20) and HazMat background check ($109.25) fees as Class B. Combination-vehicle and Double/Triples endorsement knowledge test Source

How registration is figured

Gross weight. Class E trucks pay a rate per 1,000 lb of GVW or GCW. That rate is $12.75 for 26,001–40,000 lb. Class F truck tractors at a minimum of 60,001–80,000 lb pay $22.50 per 1,000 lb plus $30. A $40 annual EMS surcharge is added.
The official schedule gives per-1,000-lb rates, not a total, so I left both totals null. Class E trucks also carry a 'registration increase' on top of the weight rate. The official snippet I saw did not state its current amount. A 2024 MVA-based news reprint said $45 ($45 plus the $40 EMS surcharge), and an unofficial site says $75 for 2026. Confirm the exact total with the MVA before budgeting. A Source

Intrastate operating authority

Not required for intrastate carriers.
The PSC Transportation Division describes its jurisdiction as intrastate for-hire passenger carriers (sedan, van, limousine, motor coach) and certain taxicabs. A J.J. Keller summary (a secondary source, not official) lists no for-hire freight authority in Maryland. It lists a Certificate of Authority for household goods movers through the Department of Labor, and PSC passenger authority with insur Source

State DOT requirements

• Must knowUSDOT / Maryland DOT number display

  Every registered truck over 10,000 lb, truck tractor and bus must display a USDOT number or an intrastate motor carrier identification number. A carrier that stays in Maryland and handles no interstate cargo must obtain a Maryland ID number (MD DOT #) and display it. All DOT numbers are issued by FMCSA.

  Maryland DOT Numbers - MDOT SHA

See all 6 DOT requirements with full access

Fees change; confirm with the linked state source. Compare all states.

New Maryland trucking bills

No new trucking bills found here recently. The agent checks every morning.