The Massachusetts Transit Assistance Programs - "MArtap" and "MAurbanTAP" - provide free driver training to transportation providers in Massachusetts. Transit authorities, Councils on Aging, non-profit providers serving rural areas, and transportation providers who are recipients of vehicles or grants through MassDOT's Community Transit Grant Program are eligible. Other transportation providers may also be able to participate if sufficient funding is available. We are not associated with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
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- This page, Driver training for community transportation providers, is offered by
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Driver training for community transportation providers
Table of Contents
Who is eligible?
Transportation providers are eligible if:
- You are a Regional Transit Authority, Council on Aging, or municipal transportation provider
- You are a non-profit transportation provider providing transportation in a rural area
- You are a recipient of a vehicle or grant through MassDOT's Community Transit Grant Program
Not sure if you're eligible? Contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you.
MassDOT uses two distinct funding streams to fund the training. The MArtap funding stream is for transportation providers serving federally-designated rural areas, while the MAurbanTAP funding stream covers transportation providers in non-rural areas. Eligibility is based on the towns your transportation serves. Some municipalities are eligible for both programs.
Key Actions for Who is eligible?
What courses are offered?
For municipalities, Councils on Aging, and non-profits that receive vehicles through MassDOT's Community Transit Grant Program, the following driver training courses are required:
- Accessible Lift Use and Passenger Securement (formerly Wheelchair Lift & Securement)
- Defensive Driving (formerly Coaching the Van Driver, NSC DDC3)
- Disability Awareness (formerly Safe Transport of the Public under the ADA)
- CPR & First Aid
One additional required class is not offered through MArtap and MAurbanTAP:
- Substance Abuse Awareness Training (online course)
MArtap and MAurbanTAP also offer some optional courses, such as:
- Diversity and Sensitivity in Transit
- Train-the-Trainer opportunities for providers to learn to offer their own in-house driver training
Key Actions for What courses are offered?
Register for an upcoming course
Find out whether you are eligible for MArtap, MAurbanTAP, or both by looking up the towns where you offer transportation.
Register:
To register for an online webinar:
- Provide the attendee's email address if the attendee will be using their own device
- Provide an agency email address if the attendees will be using an agency device
| Course | Eligibility* | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Assistance Training | MAurbanTAP | Tuesday, September 19, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | East Longmeadow COA, 328 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 |
| Disability Awareness Webinar | MArtap | Tuesday, September 19, 1-3pm | online |
| Disability Awareness Webinar | MAurbanTAP | Wednesday, September 20, 1-3pm | online |
| Disability Awareness | MAurbanTAP | Friday, September 22, 9am-noon | Salem COA, 401 Bridge St., Salem MA 01970 |
| Defensive Driving | MAurbanTAP | Friday, September 22, 1-4pm | Salem COA, 401 Bridge St., Salem MA 01970 |
| Accessible Lift Use & Passenger Securement | MAUrbanTAP | Monday, September 25, 2023, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm | Medway COA, 76 Oakland St, Medway, MA 02053 |
| Defensive Driving | MAUrbanTAP | Monday, September 25, 2023, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Medway COA, 76 Oakland St, Medway, MA 02053 |
| Passenger Assistance Training | MARtap | Tuesday, September 26, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Douglas Town Hall, 29 Depot St., Douglas, MA 01516 |
| Defensive Driving | MAurbanTAP | Wednesday, October 4 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Defensive Driving | MARTAP | Friday, October 6 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Passenger Assistance Training | MARTAP | Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Carlisle COA, 66 Westford St, Carlisle, MA 01741 |
| Disability Awareness | MAurbanTAP | Thursday, October 12 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Passenger Assistance Training | BOTH | (9:00 am - 5:00 pm) Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Carver COA, 48 Lakeview Street, South Carver, MA 02366 |
| Passenger Assistance Training Train-the-Trainer | BOTH | October 16-17, 2023, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm each day | MetroWest RTA 15 Blandin Ave., Framingham MA, 01702 |
| Disability Awareness | MARTAP | Tuesday, October 17 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Passenger Assistance Training, Train-the-Trainer | BOTH | October 19 - 20, 2023, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm each day | Berkshire RTA, 1 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201 |
| Diversity & Sensitivity | Both | Monday, October 30 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Disability Awareness *WAITLIST* | Both | Friday, November 3, 8:00 am - 11:00 am | Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester, MA 02770 |
| Accessible Lift & Securement *WAITLIST* | Both | Friday, November 3, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm | Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester, MA 02770 |
| Defensive Driving | MAurbanTAP | Monday, November 6 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Disability Awareness | MARTAP | Thursday, November 9 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Disability Awareness | MAurbanTAP | Wednesday, November 15 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Defensive Driving | MARTAP | Monday, November 20 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Disability Awareness | MAurbanTAP | Thursday, December 7 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Defensive Driving | MARTAP | Monday, December 11 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | online |
| Disability Awareness | MARTAP | Tuesday, December 12 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Defensive Driving | MAurbanTAP | Thursday, December 21 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
| Conflict De-Escalation | Both | Thursday, December 28 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | online |
Please note:
- If you register but don't hear from us within 5 days, please reach out to us
- Attendees will need access to a computer within 5 days of an online course to take the exam
- Each attendee will need to take the exam independently through the Survey Monkey link provided
- Classes may be canceled if enrollment is low (under 8 for in-person or under 10 for webinar)
- Want training closer to home? You can offer to host a MArtap or MAurbanTAP training
Key Actions for Register for an upcoming course
Want training sooner?
If you have drivers who need training and no upcoming MArtap or MAurbanTAP sessions are convenient, try these options:
- Offer to host a MArtap or MAurbanTAP training at your site for up to 8 of your own drivers
- Find training offered outside the MassDOT driver training program
- For example, check out CTAA's driver training
- Rural transportation providers can apply for funding to cover training costs through the MArtap Scholarship - learn more and apply
- Enroll in the Train-the-Trainer course so you can get trained as a Community Trainer and run your own driver training
- Find a Community Trainer near you
Host a training
Want training at a convenient location, at a time that works for your drivers? Offer to host! As a host, you can register up to 8 of your own drivers for the training.
Key Actions for Host a training
Additional driver training opportunities
You or your drivers may also be interested in these optional trainings from other organizations:
- Understanding Passengers who have Experienced Trauma - free online training from CTAA
- Conflict Management and De-Escalation for Transit Drivers and Supervisors - free online training from CTAA
- Volunteer Driver Safety - free online training for volunteer driver programs from CTAA
- Assisting Passengers who are Living with Dementia - webinar by the Alzheimer's Association in partnership with MCOA, November 2021