Is Check engine light for maintenance required only or is there something wrong with the engine and I should not drive the car before I can get it to the dealer?

The check engine light means that there is something not going right with the engine, but it may not be serious. Take it to Auto Zone or a small shop with the capability to read out the ODBII codes rather than go to the dealer. They'll plug it in and be able to tell you what error triggered the check engine light. I've had my light come on twice, neither time was it a serious problem. The first time was due to bad fuel, the second a minor electrical short in the air intake temperature sensor.