Have you ever wanted to drive one of those heavy tanker trucks you saw as a kid? It’s never too late to start a commercial driving career, and in Massachusetts, the demand for tanker drivers is high. These vehicles are designed to transport up to 9,000 gallons of petroleum products, chemicals, milk, and other bulk liquids.
To drive one of these, you must obtain a Tank Vehicles (N) endorsement on your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Applicants must pass a knowledge test with questions based on the Tanker Vehicles section of the official 2026 CDL manual (Massachusetts CDL Handbook 2026). Additionally, you must also pass a skills test in a vehicle of your desired class of CDL if you haven’t yet done so for your CDL.
The Port of Boston is an important hub for petroleum products, where ships bring massive amounts of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). These flammable liquids are then loaded into tanker trucks for distribution in Massachusetts or across the United States. Because these materials are extremely dangerous, they must be handled by professionals. To transport fuel, chemicals or toxic liquids, you will also need a HazMat (H) endorsement.