Massachusetts · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Massachusetts CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Massachusetts issues CDLs through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) under the federal FMCSA framework. Applicants must hold a Class D license, be 18 for an intrastate-only CDL or 21 for interstate, pass knowledge exams for a Commercial Learner's Permit ($30 application), complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training where applicable, then pass a road test ($35) conducted by the Massachusetts State Police. A 5-year Class A/B/C license costs $75, with $75 renewals.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer (applies in all states): ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider required since Feb 7, 2022 for first-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements (before skills test) and H endorsement (before knowledge test); DOT medical certificate and self-certification required; 21 is the federal minimum for interstate driving. MA specifics: CLP at 18 restricted to intrastate; 21 for interstate. CLP valid 180 days, renewable once free; max 6 CDL skills test attempts per 12 months; commercial road tests are conducted by the State Police, scheduled by phone only. RMV fee schedule: Class A/B/C license (5 years) $75; permit application $30; road test $35; out-of-state Class A/B/C conversion $140. Sponsor for road test must be 21+, have held a CDL 1+ year with proper class/endorsements.
What licenses does Massachusetts issue?
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Massachusetts Department of Transportation issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (mass.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Massachusetts require?
CLP general knowledge exam (50 questions, 40 correct to pass, 60 min; also offered in Spanish and Portuguese). Administered by Massachusetts RMV.
Endorsement knowledge exams (air brakes, hazmat, tank, passenger, doubles/triples, combination, school bus). Administered by Massachusetts RMV.
Commercial (Class A/B/C) road test. Administered by Massachusetts State Police (scheduled through RMV, conducted at 9 state test sites). Exam fee $35.
Source: examination page (mass.gov). Verified July 2026.
How much does a Massachusetts CDL truck driver license cost?
Getting a journeyman CDL truck driver license in Massachusetts costs $140 in board fees, before any training. That is the application fee, the exam fee and the initial license fee charged once, with renewal charged separately below. No board publishes this total, so it is added up here from the schedule it does publish.
- Application fee$30
- Exam fee$35
- Initial license fee$75
- Renewal fee (recurring)$75
Source: fee schedule (mass.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 5 years
Continuing education: None for renewal. Hazmat (H) endorsement holders must pass the hazmat knowledge exam and a TSA security threat assessment at every renewal; all other endorsements renew automatically with the license.
Source: renewal requirements (mass.gov). Verified July 2026.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
Not applicable, CDL licensure has no apprenticeship-hour pathway. Training is via FMCSA-registered ELDT providers (performance-based, no state hour minimum). Out-of-state CDL holders who move to MA transfer their license ($140 conversion fee per RMV fee schedule).
How does Massachusetts compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | not published | Statewide |
| Connecticut | not published | Statewide |
| New Hampshire | not published | Statewide |
| New York | not published | Statewide |
| Rhode Island | not published | Statewide |
| Vermont | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Apply for a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) - Mass.gov RMV
- Commercial (Class A, B, or C) road tests - Mass.gov RMV
- Renew your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Mass.gov RMV
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Fees
- Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) - Mass.gov
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Massachusetts Department of Transportation before making decisions. Not legal advice.