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.
Please note that these trainings are for transit drivers and not the general public. If you are a member of the general public looking for driver safety training, please visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle’s (RMV) webpage.
If you are interested in becoming a human services transportation provider please visit the Human Service Transportation (HST) Office’s website.
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:
- 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
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
| Course | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Assistance Training (PAT) | Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) | Community Connections Inc., 10 David Drown Blvd, Fairhaven, MA 02719 |
| Disability Awareness Webinar | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | Online |
| Defensive Driving * Waitlist Only * | Monday, August 3, 2026 (8:00 am - 11:00 am) | Revere Elder Services, 25 Winthrop Ave, Revere, MA 02151 |
| Accessible Lift & Securement * Waitlist Only * | Monday, August 3, 2026 (11:00 am - 4:00 pm) | Revere Elder Services, 25 Winthrop Ave, Revere, MA 02151 |
| Passenger Assistance Training (PAT) | Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) | Merrimac COA, 100 E. Main St., Merrimac MA 01860 |
| Defensive Driving Webinar | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | Online |
| Passenger Assistance Training (PAT) | Thursday, August 13, 2026 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) | Agawam COA, 954 Main St., Agawam, MA 01001 |
| Accessible Lift & Securement | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm) | East Bridgewater COA, 355 Plymouth St., East Bridgewater MA 02333 |
| Disability Awareness Webinar | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) | Online |
| Disability Awareness Webinar | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | Online |
| Defensive Driving Webinar | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | Online |
| Passenger Assistance Training (PAT) Instructor * this is a 2-Day Course * | September 28 & 29, 2026 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm) | Berkshire RTA, 1 Columbus Ave., Pittsfield MA 01201 |
| Passenger Assistance Training (PAT) Instructor * this is a 2-Day Course * | October 5 & 6, 2026 (8:00 am - 4:00 pm) | Revere Elder Services, 25 Winthrop Ave, Revere, MA 02151 |
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
Key Actions
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 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 - more information 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
- Email the MArtap inbox to ask for additional options if you are not able to find what you are looking for.
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. Please note that trainings will be advertised on the MArtap webpage and will be opened to attendees from outside your organization.
Key Actions
Additional driver training opportunities
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