Section 10. Any person engaged in the operation of motor vehicles under a license and certificate as provided in this chapter is hereby declared to be a common carrier. The department shall have general supervision and regulation of, and jurisdiction and control over such common carriers to the same extent as it has over railway companies, except as to the issue of securities by persons whose securities are not subject to the jurisdiction of the department. The department may, from time to time, prescribe forms of accounts, records and memoranda for such common carriers and their accounts shall be kept in accordance with the forms prescribed.
Each such person not required to file a return by any provision of law other than this section shall annually, on or before such date as the department fixes, make to the department, in a form prescribed by it, a return for the year ending on December thirty-first next preceding. The form shall correspond as nearly as may be to those established by the interstate commerce commission for this type of common carrier and shall provide for the proper certification of the accuracy thereof. Each such person shall at all times, upon request, furnish any information required by the department or its duly authorized employees relative to the condition, management and operation of such person as a common carrier, and shall comply with all lawful orders of the department. Every such common carrier neglecting to make such annual return within the time prescribed as aforesaid, or to amend said return within fifteen days of the date of any notice to do so, or neglecting to furnish any information lawfully required as aforesaid, shall forfeit five dollars for each day during which such neglect continues; and if such person unreasonably refuses or neglects to make said return or amendment he shall forfeit not more than five hundred dollars. Failure to comply with this section shall be a cause for revocation or suspension of a certificate under section seven.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 159a - Common Carriers of Passengers by Motor Vehicle
Section 2 - Licenses; Specification of Routes; Form; Detours
Section 4 - Voiding Licenses, Continuing Licenses; Revocation of Licenses
Section 5 - Temporary Licenses
Section 6 - Bond; Actions; Cancellation of Bond
Section 7a - Assignment or Transfer of Certificate
Section 9 - Drivers Licenses; Qualifications; Fees; Revocation
Section 10 - Supervision and Regulation by Department; Annual Return
Section 11a - Charter, School or Special Service Vehicles; License; Rules and Regulations
Section 11b - Agreements to Contribute to Costs of Public Transportation Authorized
Section 12 - Local Rules and Regulations; Changes by Department
Section 13 - Department of Highways; Registrar of Motor Vehicles; Application of Chapter
Section 14 - Trackless Trolleys; Application of Chapter
Section 15 - Violations; Penalties; Jurisdiction; Complaints
Section 16 - Evasion of Payment of Fare; Penalty
Section 32 - School Department Vehicles; Use for Transporting Community Groups