Emergency bill seeks to halt revocations after nearly 500 truckers threatened by CDL downgrade

A Massachusetts lawmaker has introduced emergency legislation that could save the livelihoods of many truck drivers after hundreds of Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) holders were informed that they face downgrades.

In August 2024, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) informed 482 CDL holders that their licenses would be revoked following an audit that included a “lifetime look back” at violations.

Many truck drivers said that they were stunned to learn that their CDL had been downgraded for violations that occurred decades ago.

The RMV then reversed course and allowed drivers to retain their CDLs while they went through an appeals process with a November 15, 2024, deadline.

Officials told CBS News that “The RMV recently conducted a comprehensive review of commercial driver’s license (CDL) eligibility and identified CDL holders with major offenses, including convictions for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As a result, a number of drivers were recently informed that their CDLs were being downgraded. We understand the burden this places on impacted drivers and so we are holding the disqualification to provide time for drivers to pursue a hearing and appeal, if they choose. Safety on the roads is always our top priority, and we are committed to working with drivers through this process.”

Truck driver Walter McCloskey told the Cape Cod Times that he when went through the appeals process without success in saving his CDL: “The hearing was basically someone called me and asked if the offenses were valid. Then you lose your license.”

In response, State Rep. Brian Murray filed HD 5374 on September 18. This legislation would change just one word in current state statute, but Murray says that the bill would allow some of the drivers to retain their CDLs.

During the audit, officials followed current Massachusetts state law, which requires a lifetime lookback at all violations and infractions for a driver, even if the driver did not hold a CDL at the time that the violation.

Murray’s bill would change the word “may” to “shall” in the following statute:

“The registrar may issue regulations establishing guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life… may be reduced to a period of not less than ten years.“

Murray believes that this single word change could help to save the CDLs of drivers who face downgrades for violations that are more than a decade old.

On September 26, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Rules.