Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)s

To practice as a commercial truck driver (cdl) in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires 262 documented education or training hours, a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".

Upfront cost is $134, with renewal running $71 on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Massachusetts, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

For commercial truck driver (cdl)s, the reciprocity picture is: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
73/100
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
262 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$134
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$71 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
CDL Training Program
262 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$134
Renewal Fee
$71
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts requires 262 education/training hours, passing an exam (CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test), and an initial fee of $134. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Massachusetts? ▼
Certification as a commercial truck driver (cdl) in Massachusetts means clearing the state's checklist: 262 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for commercial truck driver (cdl)s nationally works like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Massachusetts. Verify the specifics with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing process in Massachusetts. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this commercial truck driver (cdl) license

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.