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Driver training for community transportation providers

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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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

Find which funding stream covers your area 

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:

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

Detailed course descriptions 

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

Upcoming classes
Course Eligibility* Date and Time Location
Defensive Driving Both Monday, November 20 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) online
Disability Awareness  Both Thursday, December 7 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) online
Defensive Driving Both Monday, December 11 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) online
Passenger Assistance Techniques MARTAP Monday, December 18, 2023 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) Claire Teague Senior Center, 917 S Main Street, Great Barrington  MA  01230
Defensive Driving Both Thursday, December 21 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) online
Conflict De-Escalation Both  Thursday, December 28 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) online
Passenger Assistance Techniques MAUrbantap Wednesday, January 10, 2023 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) Hingham Center for Active Living, 224 Central Street, Hingham MA 02043

 

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

Sign up to get updates on the course schedule  Register for a MArtap training  Register for a MAurbanTAP training 

Want training sooner?

If you have drivers who need training and no upcoming MArtap or MAurbanTAP sessions are convenient, try these options:

  1. Offer to host a MArtap or MAurbanTAP training at your site for up to 8 of your own drivers
    1. Host a MArtap training
    2. Host a MAurbanTAP training
  2. Find training offered outside the MassDOT driver training program
    1. For example, check out CTAA's driver training
    2. Rural transportation providers can apply for funding to cover training costs through the MArtap Scholarship - learn more and apply
  3. Enroll in the Train-the-Trainer course so you can get trained as a Community Trainer and run your own driver training
  4. 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

Host a MAurbanTAP training  Host a MArtap training  Check your eligibility to host MArtap vs. MAurbanTAP trainings 

Additional driver training opportunities

You or your drivers may also be interested in these optional trainings from other organizations:

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