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Driver training for community transportation providers

The Massachusetts Transit Assistance Program - also known as "MArtap" or "MAurbanTAP" - provides 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 previously offered two related programs: MArtap and MAurbanTAP. As of July 2025, transportation providers no longer need to determine which of the two they are eligible for. If you are eligible for this program, you may sign up for any upcoming course. Our goal in merging these programs is to streamline the process and make it easier for drivers to access training.

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 our driver training program:

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

Key Actions

Detailed course descriptions 

Register for an upcoming course

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
CourseDate and TimeLocation
Defensive DrivingThursday, August 28, 2025  (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)Online
Diversity & SensitivityThursday, September 4, 2025  (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)Online
Diversity & SensitivityWednesday, September 10, 2025 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)Online
Accessible Lift & Passenger SecurementFriday, September 12, 2025  (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Southampton COA, 210 College Highway Suite 3, Southampton, MA 01073
Disability AwarenessThursday, September 18, 2025 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)Online
(PAT) In-House Instructor Training - * 2 DAYS *   Waitlist OnlySeptember 23 & 24, 2025  (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, each day)Berkshire RTA, 1 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield MA 01201
Diversity & SensitivityWednesday, September 24, 2025 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)Online
Defensive DrivingThursday,  September 25, 2025  (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)Online
Accessible Lift & Passenger Securement  * Waitlist Only *Monday, September 29, 2025 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Stoughton COA, 110 Rockland St, Stoughton, MA 02072
CPR / First Aid   * Waitlist Only *Saturday, October 4, 2025  (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester MA  02770
Accessible Lift & Passenger SecurementWednesday, October 15, 2025  (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Townsend COA, 16 Dudley Rd, Townsend MA  01469
Passenger Assistance Training (PAT)Friday, October 24, 2025 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)North Andover Elder Services, 481 Sutton St, North Andover, MA 01845
(PAT) In-House Instructor Training - * 2 DAYS *October 21 & 22, 2025 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, each day)Lowell RTA, 100 Hale St, Lowell MA  01852
Defensive Driving    * In-Person *Wednesday, October 29, 2025  (8:00 am - 11:00 am)Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester MA  02770
Disability Awareness  * In-Person *Wednesday, October 29, 2025  (11:00 am - 2:00 pm)Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester MA  02770
Accessible Lift & Passenger SecurementTuesday, November 4, 2025  (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Pittsfield COA, 330 North St., Pittsfield MA  01201
Accessible Lift & Passenger SecurementThursday, November 13, 2025  (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Westport COA, 75 Reed Road, Westport, MA. 02790
Passenger Assistance Training (PAT)Wednesday, November 19, 2024  (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)Carlisle COA, 66 Westford St, Carlisle MA  01741
Accessible Lift & Passenger SecurementWednesday, December 3, 2025  (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)Danvers COA, 25 Stone St., Danvers, Massachusetts 01923

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 training

Key Actions

Sign up to get updates on the course schedule  Register for an upcoming driver training session 

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 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 - 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 driver training session 

Additional driver training opportunities

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

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