BOSTON – Walter McCloskey always does a safety inspection of his truck before getting behind the wheel. McCloskey has been driving for 14 years and enjoys every minute on the road. “I would do this job for free,” McCloskey said. “I just love driving trucks on a nice day with beautiful scenery.”

Last week, McCloskey said he received a notice from the Registry of Motor Vehicles informing him that his commercial driver’s license would be revoked on Aug. 29 for violations he committed nearly 30 years ago.

RMV used car lifespan lookback

McCloskey was in critical condition and thought it was a mistake or a computer glitch. But when he called the RMV, he was told it was not a mistake and that the agency uses what is known as a lifetime hindsight process.

“There’s no statute of limitations, there’s no due process,” McCloskey said. “You know there’s no hearing beforehand. You’re just depriving someone of the ability to pay their mortgage, their kids’ tuition, their health insurance. You’re just taking everything away from them with a week’s notice.”

McCloskey is not alone. The I-Team has learned that the same letter was sent to 482 truck drivers and school bus drivers.

School bus drivers affected

Tom Hamilton is executive director of the School Transportation Association of Massachusetts. He says the announcements came as a surprise to members, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. “It’s the worst week of the year possible, because schools start this week,” Hamilton said. “Because we don’t know how many are actually bus drivers, we’re already 1,200 drivers short. That’s just going to create uncertainty for the kids who are being picked up at the bus stop.”

The registry began a lifetime review of violations after a truck driver, whose license should have been revoked, was found guilty of Accident 2019 in New Hampshire Seven members of a marine motorcycle club died. Since then, hundreds of people have had their driving licenses revoked or suspended.

“Legal, but terrible”

Attorney Brian Simoneau represents clients at RMV hearings and calls the registry’s actions “legal but terrible.”

“It’s technically legal, but it’s not right. These sanctions are incredibly harsh. They’re draconian. The solution is to change the law. It’s not a federal law, it’s a state law that’s designed to take away these people’s livelihoods.”

RMV puts revocations on hold

Following an outcry from bus and truck drivers, the register suspended the revocations.

Register spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard sent a statement to the I-Team:

“The RMV recently conducted a comprehensive review of commercial driver’s license (CDL) eligibility requirements and identified CDL holders with serious offenses, including convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As a result, several drivers were recently notified that their CDLs will be downgraded. We understand the burden this places on the drivers affected and therefore are maintaining the disqualification to give drivers time to follow a hearing and file an appeal should they so choose. Safety on the roads is always our top priority and we are committed to working with drivers throughout this process.”

McCloskey says he has already requested a hearing and has received his court records dating back to 1995, which show that one case was dismissed and he was found not guilty in another.

“The temporary lifting of the suspension has allowed me to breathe deeply, at least for the moment,” McCloskey said, “but I am still anxious and afraid of losing my job and my career.”

Since the revocations have been postponed, the drivers can continue to work and keep their commercial driver’s licenses. The RMV says that the drivers have until mid-November to request a hearing. The process could take months.