How to Get a CDL License in Massachusetts

To receive a commercial drivers license in the state of Massachusetts, you must already hold a valid Massachusetts drivers license and visit your nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office to apply for a commercial drivers license. Before you can receive the license, you must take a written exam and practice driving a commercial vehicle with a learner's permit. Once you are comfortable with your commercial vehicle, you can then return to the RMV to take the road test, which, if you pass, will allow you to obtain the Massachusetts commercial drivers license.

Steps

  1. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 1
    1
    Collect the documents you need for the application. The RMV will require you to bring specific forms of identification to complete the application.
    • Bring your valid Massachusetts drivers license.
    • If you do not have a Massachusetts drivers license, bring documents that prove your date of birth, your signature, and your place of residence within the state of Massachusetts.
    • Bring your Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate. This certificate is required by all commercial drivers with the exception of those who drive state or municipal vehicles. The DOT can be obtained from your health care provider.
  2. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 2
    2
    Obtain the commercial drivers license application. An application can be obtained from the RMV website or from any RMV full service office.[1]
    • Visit the Massachusetts RMV website featured in the Sources section of this article, then click on the "Forms and Manuals" tab at the top of the website.
    • Click on "Licensing," then scroll down to the Learner's Permit section and click on the link for the commercial drivers license application.
    • Print the application directly from your Internet browser.[2]
    • If you do not have access to the Internet or a printer, call the RMV Telephone Center at 617-351-4500 or 800-858-3926 to learn of the nearest full service RMV office from which to obtain the application.[3]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 3
    3
    Complete the commercial drivers license application. You can complete the form using blue or black ink.
    • Provide your personal information; such as your name, eye color, hair color, weight, height, date of birth, Social Security Number, and your address.
    • Indicate the type of commercial vehicle you plan on driving. You can choose from options that include a school bus, passenger vehicle, a vehicle that transports hazardous materials, and more.
    • Complete all other required information. The form will ask if you want to be an organ donor, ask for voter registration information, and other questions surrounding your ability to drive a commercial vehicle; such as your medical history.
    • Sign and date the commercial drivers license application.
  4. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 4
    4
    Visit a full service RMV office.[4] During your visit, you will take an eye-screening test, the written exam, and turn in the commercial drivers license application.
    • If you are transferring your commercial drivers license from another state, you will receive a Massachusetts commercial drivers license and will not be required to take the written exam or receive a learner's permit.
    • Bring 30 dollars (21 euros) with you to pay for the written exam fee. If you plan on adding endorsements to your commercial drivers license, such as an endorsement that allows you to transport hazardous materials, there will be an extra 10 dollar (7 euro) fee per endorsement.
    • Turn in your commercial drivers license application with the appropriate fee amount. The DMV will then have you complete the eye-screening test and written exam. After you have passed both tests, you will be issued a learners permit.
  5. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 5
    5
    Practice driving a commercial vehicle. To receive your commercial drivers license, you will be required to pass a road test later on that demonstrates your ability to properly operate a commercial vehicle.
    • Drive commercial vehicles with a sponsor. By law, you are required to drive with a passenger who holds a commercial drivers license with the same class as the vehicle you are driving. For example, if you plan on driving a school bus, your passenger must also be licensed to drive a school bus.[5]
  6. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 6
    6
    Make an appointment for the road test. All road test appointments must be made over the telephone with the RMV; appointments cannot be made in person.[6]
    • Call the RMV Telephone Center at 617-351-4500 or 800-858-3926 to schedule an appointment for the road test. You will also be notified of the location for your road test.
  7. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 7
    7
    Gather the materials needed for the road test.
    • Obtain another commercial drivers license application. The information you provide on the application will only differ in regards to your learner's permit information; such as the amount of time you have had the permit, and the license number of your learner's permit.
    • Bring your current drivers license and learner's permit.
    • Bring your DOT medical certificate or medical waiver, if applicable.
    • Bring your sponsor with you to the road test. Your sponsor must bring their commercial drivers license and a DOT medical certificate. The endorsements on their license must match those for the commercial vehicle you plan on driving for the road test.
    • Bring a commercial vehicle. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and fall into the class of vehicle you are applying to drive.[7]
    • Bring 75 dollars (54 euros) for the license fee. Additional endorsements that you add to your license will cost 30 dollars (21 euros) each.
  8. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 8
    8
    Attend your road test appointment. During the road test, you will be required to demonstrate to the examiner how your commercial vehicle should be inspected; in addition to vehicle control and driving skills.[8]
    • Bring all your documents and your sponsor to the road test appointment.
  9. Image titled Get a CDL License in Massachusetts Step 9
    9
    Receive your commercial drivers license. After you pass the test, the examiner will stamp and sign your learner's permit.
    • Take the endorsed learner's permit to a full service RMV office.[9] You will then be issued your Massachusetts commercial drivers license.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What should I do if I don't have a sponsor, but a potential employer requires a CDL license?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You do not need a sponsor to get a commercial driver's license. If your potential employer requires a CDL as a condition of employment, your option is to find a local commercial driving school and take lessons. Many of them offer both weekday or weekend classes.
  • Question
    Can I keep my regular license if I get a CDL?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you will also have a regular license.
  • Question
    Can a person get a CDL license in MA if they have a felony?
    Juan
    Juan
    Community Answer
    It depends on the type and severity of the felony, and how long ago it occurred. One place to check for an opinion is your local CDL driving school.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Get a CDL License in North Carolina
How to
Get a CDL License in North Carolina
Get a Commercial Driver's License in Maryland
How to
Get a Commercial Driver's License in Maryland
Get a CDL License in New Jersey
How to
Get a CDL License in New Jersey
Find a Drivers License Number
How to
Find a Drivers License Number
Get Around While Your License Is Suspended
How to
Get Around While Your License Is Suspended
Check Your Driver's License Status
How to
Check Your Driver's License Status
Pass a New York State Road Test
How to
Pass a New York State Road Test
Get a School Bus Driver's License
How to
Get a School Bus Driver's License
Find Out if Your License Is Suspended (USA)
How to
Find Out if Your License Is Suspended (USA)
Get a TCP License
How to
Get a TCP License
Get a CDL License in New York
How to
Get a CDL License in New York
Appeal a License Suspension
How to
Appeal a License Suspension
Get a Class C License
How to
Get a Class C License
Get a Learner's Driving License in Bangladesh
How to
Get a Learner's Driving License in Bangladesh
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/03/21/LIC104%20-%20CDL%20Application%20-%20Fillable.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/doc/cdl-application/download
  3. ↑ https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/rmv/massdot-rmv-customer-service-new-number/
  4. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles/locations
  5. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/commercial-drivers-license-cdl-classes-and-endorsements
  6. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/how-to/schedule-your-road-test
  7. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/commercial-drivers-license-cdl-classes-and-endorsements
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzBxrvXzs-5HnqKlx5HIwAyNKvstdK2pR
  9. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles/locations
  1. https://www.mass.gov/doc/rmv-schedule-of-fees/download
  2. https://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/apply-cdl.php

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 57,956 times.
59 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: September 16, 2021
Views: 57,956
Categories: Driver's Licenses | Driver's Licenses (USA)
Advertisement