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Commercial Vehicle Owners and Operators have various legal obligations that must be met in order to operate within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  This applies to interstate carriers, intrastate carriers, haulers of passengers and haulers of freight.  The information on these pages will help better understand those requirements.

Whether you’re in business or thinking about it, you need to know these facts...

What type of Vehicle will be used?

Requirements to be legal will depend upon the type of vehicle, where it’s operated, and the appropriate commercial drivers license (CDL). Choose from the truck and bus sample images below (click) and this website will help you understand what you need to operate legally in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Vehicle Types

(requires a “Class A” CDL)

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. (Holders of a Class A license may, with any appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Class B, C, and D.)

Vehicle Types

(requires a “Class B” CDL)

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. (Holders of a Class B license may, with appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Class C and D.)

Vehicle Types

(requiring a “Class C” CDL)

Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is required to be placarded for hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.500 or any other federal regulation. (Holders of a Class C license may operate all vehicles within Class D.)

Vehicles Requiring a Commercial License Plate  

(Requires at least a “Class D” Drivers License)

Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that do not meet the definition of Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class M. (Typically qualifying vehicles include cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, etc.).