Overturning Mass. CDL and CLP Denials

If you are not a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, the Registry will likely refuse to issue you a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or allow you to renew your existing CDL. The RMV will not grant you a Commercial Learner’s Permit.

Also, whenever a driver renews his or her CDL or conducts another transaction which involves any change to the driver’s record, such as address, endorsement, or name changes, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will require the customer to provide documentary evidence of his or her status as a US Citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Anyone who cannot prove at least lawful permanent resident status will be denied issuance or renewal of a CDL or CLP. Those with Work Authorizations and Social Security Cards which are valid for work authorization only will not be granted Commercial Learner’s Permits or Commercial Driver’s Licenses. They can still be issued Class D passenger car licenses.

In order to obtain a Class D License, the applicant must only prove residency in Massachusetts and lawful presence in the United States.

Anyone who is aggrieved by the Registry’s refusal to issue or renew a CDL has the legal right to appeal the Registry’s denial by going before the Board of Appeal, which is a statewide agency that has the ability to reverse adverse RMV decisions and actions. This appellate board can order the Registry to grant you a CDL or renew your CDL even if you are not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

If the Registry has denied you a Commercial Driver’s License or Permit, I invite you to contact my office to discuss how I may be able to help you get your CDL issued or renewed. I have successfully reversed CDL denials in a variety of cases and I may be able to help you regain your commercial driving privileges.