Worcester Inmates Take MA Registry of Motor Vehicles Commercial Learner's Permit Exam

Three inmates at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office took the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Commercial Learner's Permit exam. Representatives from the RMV were on-site to administer the test. This event marks the first instance in which the RMV administered a permit/license test behind the walls of a correctional facility in Massachusetts.   

The programs at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office are innovative and forward-looking. This opportunity has been made possible by Emerge Career, a company that offers job training opportunities to incarcerated individuals.

Individuals became involved in this program in September of 2023, after a rigorous application process. Since then, those inmates participating in the program have completed 40-50 hours of online coursework, covering topics such as commercial driver’s license theory, job readiness and search, and individual coaching sessions.

These individuals may attend a 10–12-week CDL Class A Driving Training course after their release. The fees associated with the program are paid for through a grant secured by Emerge Career. Once completed, Emerge Career will work with participants on a range of potential employment opportunities within the trucking industry.

Emerge Careers, the RMV, and WCSO, are working towards providing the skills for inmates to obtain sustainable, well-paying careers after incarceration. Job readiness training leads to decreased rates of recidivism and safer communities in Worcester County