Driver training for community transportation providers

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 our driver training program:

• Substance Abuse Awareness Training (online course) - you now need to register for an account for your agency in order to access the course

We 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

Register for an upcoming course.

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

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
• Want training closer to home? You can offer to host a training

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

1. Offer to host a training at your site for up to 8 of your own drivers
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 - more information 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
5. Email the MArtap inbox to ask for additional options if you are not able to find what you are looking for.

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. Please note that trainings will be advertised on the MArtap webpage and will be opened to attendees from outside your organization.

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

• Additional safety-related resources from National RTAP
• 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