Massachusetts CDL License Requirements

In order to drive a commercial vehicle in Massachusetts, you must first obtain a Massachusetts commercial driver’s license (CDL). Commercial vehicles requiring a CDL license to drive in Massachusetts are categorized based on the following criteria:

• Class A: Combination vehicles weighing over 26,001 lbs. with trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs.
• Class B: Vehicles weighing over 26,001 lbs. with trailers less than 10,000 lbs.
• Class C: Vehicles under 26,001 lbs. carrying sixteen or more occupants (including the driver) or trucks transporting hazardous materials

To qualify for a CDL in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates interstate transportation of cargo. If you wish to transport materials across state lines, you must be at least 21 years old. All CDL applicants then need to pass a general knowledge exam and a skills test, which includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic control test and an on-road driving exam. For the driving test, applicants must test in the class of vehicle for which they would like to obtain a CDL license.

Depending on the type of truck you wish to drive or the cargo you intend to transport, additional endorsement may be required. Endorsements are needed to drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck, a school bus or a truck with double/triple trailers. Endorsements are also needed to transport passengers or to haul hazardous materials. To transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement), a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check is required. Truck driving schools will provide the training and education needed to pass the CDL requirements in Massachusetts.

Resources for Massachusetts CDL Requirements

Visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website for more information.