Renewing Your CDL

Renewing your Massachusetts CDL is a lot easier than obtaining it. It's good for five years and expires on your birthday. The RMV will send you a notice about 60 days before the license is due to expire, reminding you to renew. With a CDL, you are required to renew in person at any full-service RMV office.

You cannot renew online. You will need to pass an eye exam, and a background check for motor vehicle violations or warrants nationwide, and pay for another five years for your CDL and any endorsements.

School Bus Certificate Renewal

School bus driver certificates are valid for one year. The requirements to renew include the following:

• Pass state and national background checks and driver record check

• Receive eight hours of in-service training

• Pass a physical exam

You must meet all of these requirements yearly in order to continue to be permitted to drive a school bus.

Settle Your Debts: the RMV Knows

But it isn't just the nationwide check you have to worry about. Remember that the Massachusetts RMV is plugged into a statewide system that tracks any moving violations, parking tickets or arrest warrants issued anywhere in Massachusetts. The RMV also knows if you are delinquent in child support. If you owe on any of the above, you'll need to pay up and be able to show proof of payment before the RMV will process your license renewal.

The RMV doesn't accept payment for any of these violations. You'll need to pay parking tickets in the city or town where they were issued. Court warrants need to dealt with at that court, while the state Department of Revenue handles child support payments.