For immediate release:
November 13, 2024

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Now Offering Commercial Learner’s Permit

Exams in Spanish and Portuguese

New language options to help boost job opportunities, support
business community

BOSTON – The Massachusetts RMV is pleased to announce it is expanding the
number of languages offered for individuals interested in taking commercial
learner’s permit exams. Effective immediately, the knowledge exams are now
available in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as in English.
To apply for a commercial learner’s permit, the applicant must be a
Massachusetts resident, be at least 18 years of age, have lawful presence in
the United States, and have an active passenger (Class D) driver’s license.
“We hope to encourage more residents to consider applying for a
Commercial Driver’s License by offering the exam in Spanish and Portuguese,
along with English,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica TibbitsNutt. “Making the exam available in additional languages will give more
residents an opportunity to get a credential which will make them eligible for
many job opportunities and will also support the needs of businesses, school
systems, and other employers who need CDL holders to provide essential
services.”
“The addition of Spanish and Portuguese for commercial learner’s permit
exams allows eligible applicants to take the knowledge test in one of these
languages, should they choose,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen
Ogilvie. “This will help remove a barrier and increase the pool of commercial
drivers for companies doing business in the Commonwealth.”
Applicants for a commercial license are issued a Commercial Learner’s
Permit (CLP) only after passing the requisite tests for the type of commercial
vehicle the resident wants to operate.

“Transit ridership is continuing to tick upwards as industries recover from the
impact of the pandemic, so anything we can do to make more transit bus
drivers available goes a long way in supporting regional economies,” said Rail
and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “The Commonwealth’s
Regional Transit Authorities have been advocating for this change and I am
pleased that we have been able to accommodate this commonsense
initiative.”
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Administrator Jim Nee said, “The
recruitment and retention of highly skilled, professional, and commercial
drivers is vital to providing public transit in MetroWest. The partnership and
flexibility the RMV is showing by providing multilingual options highlights the
ongoing willingness of the Commonwealth to be at the forefront of the postCOVID recovery through innovative solutions.”
The commercial general knowledge and all endorsement tests are now
available in the three languages. The language is selected at the time the
applicant starts the knowledge test on the testing station computers at the
RMV Service Center. There is also an audio component where the CLP
applicant will see and hear the questions and answers during the testing
session. Commercial testing is not available remotely, only at the Service
Centers.

The road test, or driving skills test, that follows the knowledge test must be
administered in English, per federal regulation. Also, per federal regulation, the
use of a foreign language interpreter is not permitted.

There are other federal requirements that applicants must meet to qualify for
a commercial operating privilege:
• Prove lawful presence in the United States by providing documentation
such as a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. Passport, a permanent resident
card or employment authorization card prior to being issued a
commercial learner’s permit or driver’s license.
• Complete an entry level driver training (ELDT) education course from an
approved vendor
• Meet federal physical and vision standards
• Complete the self-certification requirement
• Supply a medical certificate
• Pass a background check to be authorized to transport hazardous
materials, if applicable.