The issuance of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is governed by extensive federal regulations which are overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
In order to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Massachusetts, you must be a Massachusetts resident and pass a CDL written and road test which is known as the knowledge and skills examination. MassDOT will obtain driving your record information through the commercial driver license information system , which is part of the national driver register (NDR), and from each state where you were or are licensed. The Registry will not issue you a CDL if your license or right to drive is suspended or revoked in any other jurisdiction. Once issued, your Massachusetts CDL will be indefinitely revoked whenever the Mass. Registrar receives a notification that your CDL has been suspended or revoked in another state or country.
The Mass. RMV will suspend your Commercial Drivers License (CDL) for certain violations, such as DUI, whether or not you were operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the violation. CDL suspension reasons include: refusing the breathalyzer, Drunk Driving, (and CDL DUI,) operating under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of an accident, using the vehicle to commit a felony, driving a CMV when your CDL is revoked, suspended, or canceled, speeding, and various other motor vehicle violations. Download a list of CDL Suspension Penalties.
If you have any questions regarding a CDL suspension or need more information about your Mass. License suspension or revocation, you may call the Suspensions Department of the Massachusetts RMV at (857) 368-8200 or you may contact a Suspended License Attorney.
It is absolutely impossible to get a hardship CDL. Under Federal Law, states are legally prohibited from issuing conditional, occupational, work, or hardship licenses which confer CDL privileges. If your CDL is suspended or revoked, you may be able to get a Class D Hardship License, but not a CDL Hardship License. There is no way around this. Niether the Mass. RMV nor the Board of Appeal will grant you a Hardship License which allows you to operate a CDL vehicle.
If a DUI committed prior to June 17, 1994 is being used to deny you a CDL, contact a Suspended License Attorney, we may be able to get you back on the road.
G.L. c. 90F § 9 sets forth violations which disqualify a person from holding a CDL. Examples of these CDL disqualifiers include operating a CDL vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .04 or greater, operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, refusing a breath test, leaving the scene of an accident while driving a commercial motor vehicle, or using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.
MassDOT will not allow drivers to have an ignition interlock restricted or hardship CDL. Both the hardship “H” restriction and ignition interlock device “Z” restriction are incompatible with commercial drivers licenses.