Mass. passes bill saving nearly 500 truckers from having their CDL yanked for “archaic” offenses 

Nearly 500 truckers will likely be safe from losing their livelihoods thanks to the passing of a bill by Massachusetts lawmakers on New Year’s Eve. 

Back in August of 2024, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) informed 482 CDL holders that their licenses would be revoked due to “a lifetime look back” at violations on their record. In October 2024, Massachusetts lawmakers introduced emergency legislation attempting to stop the looming revocation. 

Now, on December 31st, 2024, a bill has been passed preventing the RMV from disqualifying drivers from holding a CDL for life for two or more listed infractions. Additionally, any offenses on a driver’s record prior to 2005 will be excluded from consideration by the RMV, reported WCVB 5.

“There’s no question that these old archaic violations that were committed so many years ago have no bearing on whether that person is a safe driver now. And everyone I’ve spoken to have maintained a clean record,” said Brian Simoneau, an attorney defending several CDL holders.

As of New Year’s Eve, the bill has been passed and completed, and Massachusetts Governor Healey has 10 days to sign it into law. After that, the RMV has until the end of February 2025 to comply with the new law.