Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90F, § 8 (2026)

Section 8. A license to operate a commercial motor vehicle shall be marked ''Commercial Driver License'' or ''CDL'', and shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) the name and residential address of the person;

(2) the person's color photograph;

(3) a physical description of the person including sex, height;

(4) date of birth;

(5) the person's social security number and any number or identifier deemed appropriate by the registrar;

(6) the person's signature;

(7) the class or type of commercial motor vehicle or vehicles which the person is authorized to operate, together with any endorsements or restrictions;

(8) the name of the commonwealth; and

(9) the dates between which the license is valid.

A license to operate a commercial motor vehicle may be issued with classifications, endorsements, and restrictions, as established by the registrar by regulation in conformity with federal standards.

Before issuing a license to operate a commercial motor vehicle, the registrar must obtain driving record information through the commercial driver license information system, the national driver register, and from each state in which the person has been licensed. The registrar shall not issue a license to operate a commercial motor vehicle before checking all relevant records as prescribed by 49 CFR sections 384.206, 383.71 and 383.73 or in regulations promulgated by the registrar to reflect the applicable federal requirements. The registrar shall request the driving record for the previous 10 years from each state in which such person was previously licensed.

If the registrar receives official notice, in any form which he deems appropriate, including electronic transmission that a resident of the commonwealth, or any person licensed to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle under the provisions of chapter ninety or ninety F, or any applicant therefor, has been disqualified, is in violation of an out-of-service order or has had his license or right to operate suspended, revoked or canceled in another state or country, the registrar shall not issue a license to such person who is an applicant, and if a license has already been issued he shall revoke said license immediately without a hearing; provided however, if said license or right to operate is subsequently reinstated by the other state or country, the person may reapply for said license revoked by the registrar subject to regulations established by the registrar. The combined electronic record of the registry of motor vehicles shall be the official record of the registrar for purposes of admissibility in any court.

Within ten days after issuing a license to operate a commercial motor vehicle, the registrar must notify the commercial driver license information system of that fact, providing all information required to ensure identification of the person.

The commercial driver license shall expire as provided in section eight of chapter ninety.

When applying for renewal of a commercial driver license, the applicant shall complete the application form required by paragraph (A) of section nine, providing updated information and required certifications. If the applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, the written test for hazardous materials endorsement must be taken and passed.