An Act Relative to Commercial Drivers Licenses

Drivers disqualified for life or ineligible for a commercial license under Massachusetts law for certain offenses occurring prior to September 30, 2005, may now have the ability to restore or obtain their commercial driving privilege.

Revisions to Chapter 90F, Section 9 of Massachusetts General Law limit the lookback period for lifetime disqualification for offenses that occurred before the federal implementation deadline of September 30, 2005, except where required by federal law or in instances where a driver has three or more   convictions for operating under the influence. 

This revision removes the required commercial disqualification for passenger vehicle offenses for non-commercial drivers occurring before the adoption of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act on September 30, 2005.  

Drivers with convictions only occurring after September 30, 2005, are not impacted by the amendment and continue to be subject to all mandated disqualification periods.

Drivers with a conviction on or before September 30, 2005, and a conviction after that date, are likely subject to a one-year disqualification period (three years if the offense occurred while carrying hazardous materials). 

If a driver’s commercial privileges have been disqualified or expired for more than one year, the driver is required to successfully complete full commercial retesting prior to reinstatement or new CDL issuance.  

Commercial Drivers Affected by Law Change

Drivers notified by the RMV in August that their CDL was being downgraded, who may benefit under this change, will be notified if their lifetime commercial disqualification has been removed, and provided with any next steps to retaining or maintaining their commercial driving privilege.

Certain additional drivers with a current Massachusetts based lifetime disqualification or who are ineligible to obtain a CDL due to convictions on or before September 30, 2005, may now be eligible to regain their commercial driving privileged.   Those drivers may contact the RMV dedicated phone line [phone] if they are interested in obtaining a CDL to inquire whether they are now eligible.

There are several reasons the removal of the lifetime disqualification does not permit immediate restoration of your commercial driving privileged.    

A few examples are:  

• Having a post September 30, 2005 conviction and not having served all or part of the mandatory 1-year disqualification; 
• Having other obligations restricting your commercial, such as being in prohibited status with the Federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse; 
• Having an expired commercial medical self-certification; 
• Having an Ignition Interlock Device Requirement; or 
• If you have outstanding child-support, taxes or other financial obligations impacting your license.  

10-Year Reinstatement Program

In accordance with revisions to Chapter 90F, Section 9, the RMV will promulgate regulations relating to a 10-year program by July 1, 2025.  The RMV will post information as it becomes available.   

FAQ's

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