Purpose

540 CMR 14.00 is adopted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 19L and 31, to establish rules and regulations governing the use and operation of certain motor vehicles, trailers and commercial motor vehicles, the auditing of records of commercial motor carriers, and motor carrier safety and the transportation of hazardous materials by motor carriers in both intrastate and interstate commerce upon the public ways of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 540 CMR 14.00 is adopted to reduce the number and severity of accidents and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial vehicles, consistent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations issued by the United States Department of Transportation.