You have many great options for undergoing CDL training in Massachusetts. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Barnstable Town, Massachusetts, is the top-paying metropolitan area for truck drivers, making it a desirable place to build a trucking career.
The state also ranks high as a nonmetropolitan area for truck drivers. Starting a career is fairly simple and starts with a few weeks of CDL training. Get a look into the top schools for earning your CDL to become a truck driver.
Where the best drivers go to find jobs nationwide!
Best CDL Training Programs in Massachusetts
Now that you know more about the trucking industry in Massachusetts you’re ready to begin your career by earning your CDL. Here are the best training programs in Massachusetts for truck driver training.
United Tractor Trailer School, Inc.
Earn your CDL for class A, Class B, or Class B with a passenger endorsement in as little as 4 weeks at United Tractor Trailer School Inc. The flexible class hours that the school offers get high ratings from students and most Indeed reviewers say they would recommend the school to a friend.
Cost: The cost varies depending on which class you attend, but the daytime CDL Class A course costs $5,200.
Program Length:
- Regular Full-time Classes: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Evening Classes: 8 weeks, Sessions are Monday through Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Weekend Classes: 10 weekends, Saturday and Sunday instruction from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Financial Assistance: Reach out to the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance to learn about scholarships and grants you might qualify for.
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with United Tractor Trailer School, Inc. to find out more.
Class Size: 5 students
Job Placement: The school offers seminars where representatives from major trucking companies come in to speak with students and explain their opportunities.
Course Location: Get your CDL in-person at United Tractor Trailer School, Inc. The school offers day, evening or weekend class schedules to meet your needs. Night classes only offer Class A licenses and weekend classes offer Class A or Class B standard (not passenger) licenses.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class B with passenger (bus)
New England Tractor Trailer Training School
The New England Tractor Trailer Training School offers education in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island for both Class A and Class B licenses. It’s a more expensive program, but you’ll also have more resources for assistance in obtaining financial assistance and grants.
Cost: $11,995
Program Length: On average, it takes 600 hours to receive your license.
Financial Assistance: New England Tractor Trailer Training School will work with you to learn about grants and financial aid that you might qualify for. This includes:
- Federal loans
- Extended payment plans
- Agency/private funding
- Federal loans to students parents
- PELL grants
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement, if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with New England Tractor Trailer Training School to find out more.
Class Size: 7:1 student to teacher ratio
Job Placement: The school has a team dedicated to job placement and will aid you in your long-term success.
Course Location: All courses are held in person but you have options for days, evenings, or weekends.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
160 Driving Academy of Boston
160 Driving Academy is a well-known truck driving school. It offers excellent job placement and sponsorships for many applicants. And because it’s a national school, it has built relationships with many trucking companies to offer excellent tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Cost: If you don’t want to commit to working for one of the companies the school partners with to get free tuition, you should expect to pay $3,000 to $7,000 depending on the format you select.
Program Length: Earn your CDL in as little as 4 weeks if you’re enrolled full time.
Financial Assistance: The financial assistance the school offers is in the form of tuition reimbursement from employers.
Tuition Reimbursement: To learn about how you might qualify for tuition reimbursement, you have to complete a form answering several questions about your employment interests. Then the school can pair you with a company offering tuition reimbursement if you commit to working for them.
Class Size: 1:1 student to teacher ratio
Job Placement: The school has an excellent job placement record since it pairs students with companies offering tuition reimbursement before they even start their training.
Course Location: You’ll complete your training in-person at the Boston location.
CDL Licenses: Class A
J&J Driving School Inc.
Earn your CDL at an affordable rate with J&J Driving School Inc. The school’s instructors are highly qualified and ready to answer questions and aid you not just in earning your CDL, but building a trucking career.
Cost: Earning a Class A CDL costs $4,490.
Program Length: The course takes 6 weeks to complete.
Financial Assistance: Reach out to the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance to learn about scholarships and grants you might qualify for.
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with J&J Driving School Inc. to find out more.
Class Size: 5:1 student to teacher ratio
Job Placement: While the school will aid in small ways helping to make students aware of opportunities near them, it does not specifically have a job placement team to ensure you get a job after graduation.
Course Location: Courses are in-person and include private and individual instruction to aid in helping you prepare for a great career as a truck driver.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class B with passenger (bus)
Tri-State CDL Training Center
Complete your CDL in a clean and modern classroom setting. Tri-State CDL Training Center equipment is well maintained to offer you an enjoyable early driving experience. Earn your license in 4 weeks with a full-time program or 8 weeks with a part-time program. And as a bonus, the school educates all students on hazmat training.
Cost: The program costs $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the course you enroll in.
Program Length: Earn your CDL in as little as 4 weeks.
Financial Assistance: The school can help you evaluate whether you might qualify for grants or scholarships.
Tuition Reimbursement: Many trucking companies partner with schools offering tuition reimbursement if the student agrees to contract with them. Inquire with Tri-State CDL Training Center to find out more.
Class Size: 16 student maximum
Job Placement: The school does not have job placement resources but can help make you aware of local employers who are hiring.
Course Location: All courses take place in person but you have options for evening or weekend courses.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class B passenger (bus)
How Does CDL Training in Massachusetts Work?
To become a CDL driver in Massachusetts, you’ll first need to get your commercial learner’s permit (CLP). Just like a learner’s permit enabled you to get experience behind the wheel of a standard vehicle for the first time, a CLP gives you the rights to begin your CDL training.
Note that some schools aid in the learner’s permit process and will help you study for the test. It’s best to select your school first and then learn the requirements.
Here’s a step-by-step look at the commercial licensing process.
- Before you begin your journey to becoming a CDL driver, you’ll first need a standard driver’s license in good standing, meaning it cannot be suspended or revoked.
- Study for the CLP test using this CDL manual from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Complete the Massachusetts Commercial Learner’s Permit Application. Here, you’ll provide proof of identity, residency and your Social Security number. You’ll need to pay $30 to complete the application.
- Pass a Department of Transportation medical exam. You must complete this with a licensed medical examiner, which you can find on the FMCSA National Registry. You could be medically disqualified if you have hearing or vision loss, suffer epilepsy or are dependent on insulin.
- Complete CDL training with a certified instructor and get your required hours behind the wheel.
Once you’ve completed your training and passed your written and driving exams, you’ll be ready to start your career. The average base salary for truck drivers in Massachusetts is $71,552.
Massachusetts Trucking School Facts & Figures
Massachusetts is not a very large state, so it doesn’t have nearly as many CDL schools as some other states. But you’ll still have ample options to study near you at quality truck driving schools.
Number of Schools
There are 10 CDL training schools in Massachusetts. The majority are located on the eastern side of the state. There are a few schools located near Holyoke as well.
Number of Students per Class
The average class size for CDL training in Massachusetts is 19 students. This is beneficial as it allows students ample opportunity to talk with their instructors and ask questions. Some aspects of the in-truck training will break that class size into smaller sections.
Tuition Rates
The average tuition rate for CDL training in Massachusetts is just over $7,000. However, you can find scholarships or employers who will pay for you to earn your CDL.
Average Loan Amount
On average, students take out loans of about $3,500 to complete their CDL training.
Scholarship
On average, students get $1,000 in scholarships to complete their truck driving education. Additionally, some employers offer paid CDL training in Massachusetts. It’s good to reach out to some top employers and ask what resources they might have.
Job Placement
Many schools aid in job placement after you complete your CDL training. Some employers even organize and execute the training programs, which means almost guaranteed employment once you complete your training.
Massachusetts Trucking Employment Facts & Figures
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make up nearly 8 percent of all employment in Massachusetts. You’ll have ample opportunities once you graduate with your CDL, making it an attractive industry to enter. Here’s a look at some important industry employment information.
Employment
According to 2020 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 25,900 people employed in Massachusetts as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Here are a few of the largest truck driver employers in the state.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| Braun’s Express Inc. | $40,240 | 300 |
| Lily Transportation | $73,963 | 500 |
| Regency Transportation | $52,322 | 134 |
| M&M Transport Services, Inc. | $75,858 | 514 |
| Ross Express | $43,360 | 288 |
Salary
The average salary for Massachusetts heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is above the national mean of $48,710. Here’s a look at what you can expect for weekly, monthly, and yearly wages.
Weekly: $1,014.42
Monthly: $4,395.83
Yearly: $52,750
Start Your Massachusetts Trucking Career
Completing CDL training is the first step toward a rewarding career in trucking in Massachusetts. Enjoy excellent job security and a rewarding career.
FAQ
You can earn your CDL in as little as 4 weeks if you enroll in a full-time program.
There are 50 questions on the Massachusetts CDL test.
The average tuition for CDL schools in Massachusetts is just over $7,000.
