Massachusetts CDL Requirements and Restrictions
Massachusetts CDL Requirements and Restrictions tests who may hold a CDL, which class and endorsements are needed, and what restrictions appear on the license.
Core rules
- You must be a Massachusetts resident with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, pass the knowledge tests, hold a CDL permit, and pass the skills test.
- Minimum age is 18 for intrastate driving and 21 for interstate driving.
- Class A covers a combination vehicle over 26,001 pounds with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds. Class B covers a single vehicle over 26,001 pounds. Class C covers vehicles designed for 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials.
- Endorsements include P passenger, S school bus, N tank, H hazmat, X tank/hazmat, and T doubles/triples. Hazmat requires a TSA security threat assessment.
- Self-certify your driving type and carry a valid DOT medical examiner’s certificate when required.
- Restrictions may include E for automatic transmission only and L for no air brakes.
Worked example
A driver tests in an automatic Class B truck without air brakes. The CDL will show an E restriction (automatic only) and an L restriction (no air brakes). To remove them, the driver must retest in a manual transmission vehicle with air brakes.
Traps
Assuming a Class C covers all vehicles; ignoring self-certification; missing the hazmat TSA step; forgetting that an automatic-transmission test limits the license.