How To Get Passenger Endorsement On Class A Cdl

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Overview

Applicants may apply for a CDL beginning at age 18. However, Federal Regulations state that a license holder, including CDL holders, must be 21 years of age to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. Therefore, CDL holders in Massachusetts under the age of 21 will be issued a K restriction (Intrastate Operation Only).

Commercial vehicles are divided into 3 classes based on size, weight, and functionality. Each class requires a different CDL. In addition to classes, you may also get endorsements, which permit you to drive specifically kinds of vehicles. For example, you'll need a special endorsement to drive a school bus.

CDL Class

Tests Required

Possible Endorsements and Required Tests

Class A
(Combination vehicle endorsement required)

General Knowledge Written Exam

Combination Endorsement Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
T - Doubles/Triples	Written Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Class B

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Class C

( Passenger, HAZMAT, or Airbrakes endorsement required)

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one.

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Endorsements

An endorsement is a designation on your CDL that indicates that you're qualified to operate specific kinds of vehicles or to use them in specific ways. For example, you need an endorsement to carry passengers in a commercial vehicle, and you also need an endorsement to drive a vehicle carrying hazardous materials.

Once you've earned an endorsement, the letter that represents it will be printed on the front of your CDL, and a description on the back.

Endorsement	Displays on Driver's License as	Description	Testing Requirements
A Endorsement (L restriction Removal)	Does not print on driver's license	Allows the customer to operate a commercial motor vehicles with airbrakes. The A Endorsement is implied in the absence of an L Restriction	Written exam and road test
P Endorsement	Passenger	Allows the customer to carry passengers	Written exam and road test
H Endorsement	Hazardous Materials	Allows the customer to carry hazardous materials or waste	Written exam and Transportation Security Administration threat assessment*
N Endorsement	Tank	Allows the customer to haul liquids in bulk	Written exam
X Endorsement	Tank/Hazmat	This is a combination of the N Endorsement and the H Endorsement. If a customer has both, his/her Commercial Driver's License will display the X Endorsement.	N/A
T Endorsement	Doubles/Triples	Allows the customer to pull double or triple trailers. This endorsement is only available for Class A driver's licenses. However, it is not a requirement for getting a Class A driver's license	Written Exam
S Endorsement	School Bus	Allows the customer to transport students in a full-sized school bus	Written exam and road test

*There are 2 requirements you must meet before getting or renewing a Hazardous Materials Endorsement:

Apply for and successfully pass the Transportation Security Administration's Security Background Check. This is now required for all Hazardous Materials Endorsement applicants. It could take 60 days or more to receive the results.
Take and pass the Hazardous Materials Endorsement exam. You can do this at the same time you as getting or renewing your CDL

Call (877) 429-7746 or go to https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/ to begin the process.

Self Certification

If you're a CDL driver, you're federally required to self-certify. This means that you must tell the RMV if you will operate only in Massachusetts, or will cross state lines. You must also tell us if you're required to hold a medical certificate.

If you have an out-of-state CDL that's being renewed, upgraded, or transferred from that state, you need to complete a CDL self-certification, which includes a CDL self-certification form and a copy of the medical certificate.

You may also need to provide the RMV with documentation showing that you have received a vision, diabetes, or skills performance evaluation variance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).