How to Get Your Maine CDL License: A Step-by-Step Guide with NTI
Did you know truck drivers with a Maine CDL license can earn over $65,000 annually in their first year?
Getting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) opens doors to high-paying and stable careers across Maine and beyond. At Northeast Technical Institute (NTI), with training yards in Scarborough and Bangor, Maine, we’ve been preparing drivers for success for more than 30 years. Whether you’re pursuing a Class A CDL for interstate trucking, a Class B CDL for local delivery routes, or adding on specialized endorsements, NTI provides the training, resources, and support to get you road-ready.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the CDL licensing process—from checking your eligibility to completing your skills test—while showing you how NTI can help at every stage.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility for a Maine CDL
To apply for a CDL in Maine, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:
Age: At least 18 for intrastate driving (within Maine) or 21 for interstate driving (across state lines).
Residency: You must be a Maine resident with a valid Maine driver’s license.
Status: You’ll need a Social Security Number and must be legally present in the U.S.
Driving record: Your license cannot be suspended, revoked, or canceled in any state.
You’ll also need a CDL if you operate:
Vehicles over 26,001 lbs. GVWR
Passenger vehicles designed for 16+ people (including the driver)
Hazmat vehicles requiring placards
School buses
Step 2: Choose Your CDL Class
At NTI, we train for Class A and Class B licenses:
Class A CDL (160 Hours of Training): The most versatile license, allowing you to drive tractor-trailers, tankers, and combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs. with trailers over 10,000 lbs. This is the license for most long-haul and interstate drivers.
Class B CDL (80 Hours of Training): Allows you to drive straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, large buses, and smaller delivery vehicles. Ideal for local or regional driving careers.
Endorsements: NTI also prepares you for endorsements like Hazmat (H), Tank (N), and more—broadening your career options and earning potential.
Step 3: Complete Your Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Since February 7, 2022, all new CDL drivers must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-approved provider.
At NTI, you can complete your ELDT theory training right here in Maine, either on campus or with flexible online options. We’re a registered provider with the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR), which means your training is automatically verified before you take your CDL skills test.
Our ELDT covers:
Vehicle operation and inspections
Safe and advanced driving practices
Hours of Service regulations and compliance
Non-driving activities like documentation
Once you pass the ELDT theory exam (80% or higher), NTI submits your results directly to the FMCSA—so you can move forward without delay.
Step 4: Obtain Your DOT Medical Card
Before applying for your permit, you’ll need a DOT medical exam from an FMCSA-certified examiner. This ensures you’re physically able to safely operate commercial vehicles. Standards include:
Vision of at least 20/40 in each eye
Hearing ability sufficient to detect a forced whisper at 5 feet
No disqualifying medical conditions without exemptions
NTI will help guide you through this step so you don’t miss anything important.
Step 5: Apply for Your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
With your DOT medical card and ELDT theory complete, you’re ready to apply for your CLP at the Maine BMV.
Bring:
Valid Maine driver’s license
Proof of residency and identity
DOT medical card
ELDT certification (NTI submits this for you)
Self-certification form
Payment for fees (~$45)
You’ll also take written tests on general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles (for Class A).
The CLP is valid for 180 days, and you must hold it at least 14 days before testing for your CDL.
Step 6: Get Behind-the-Wheel Training at NTI
This is where NTI shines. With training yards in Scarborough and Bangor, you’ll learn from experienced instructors on modern equipment.
Our CDL programs include:
Class A CDL Training – 160 Hours: Tractor-trailer driving, shifting, turning, backing, coupling, and more.
Class B CDL Training – 80 Hours: Straight truck driving, passenger transport, safety inspections, and maneuvering.
You’ll also practice:
Pre-trip inspections
Straight-line and offset backing
Parallel parking and alley docking
City, highway, and rural road driving
This hands-on training prepares you not just to pass the test—but to start your career with confidence.
Step 7: Take the CDL Skills Test
When you’re ready, NTI helps schedule your three-part CDL skills test at one of our training locations:
Pre-Trip Inspection: Demonstrate knowledge of your vehicle’s systems.
Basic Vehicle Control: Backing maneuvers, turns, and parking.
Road Test: Safe driving in real traffic conditions.
Pass all three, and you’ll receive your CDL from the Maine BMV.
Why Choose NTI for CDL Training?
Hands-on training in Scarborough & Bangor, ME
ELDT-compliant programs registered with FMCSA
Experienced instructors who know the industry inside and out
Career services support with local and national employers
Flexible start dates to fit your schedule
And best of all—you could be trained and job-ready in as little as 6 weeks with our CDL programs.
The Bottom Line
Obtaining your Maine CDL license might sound like a lot of steps, but with NTI, you’ll have guidance every step of the way. In just weeks, you could be on your way to a career that pays $65,000+ annually Starting, with opportunities in local delivery, long-haul trucking, passenger transport, and more.
At Northeast Technical Institute, we don’t just prepare you for the test—we prepare you for the road, your career, and your future.
👉 Ready to start your CDL journey? Learn more about NTI’s Class A and Class B CDL training today.
