Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 90, § 31A

The department after a public hearing may make, and may alter, rescind or add to, rules and regulations for the reasonable and proper control and regulation of the transportation by motor vehicle of personal property over the ways of this commonwealth, except ways under the control of the metropolitan district commission. Said rules and regulations shall cover, among other matters which the department may deem necessary or desirable, the fixing of routes with respect to the physical capacity of such ways to carry traffic; the establishment of the maximum weight of loads per commercial motor vehicle and per inch of tire in contact with the surface of such ways; the maximum dimensions of loads; and the regulation of the rate of speed of such vehicles over such ways. Said rules and regulations and any changes therein shall be subject to approval, and shall take effect, in the manner provided by section six of chapter sixteen.  1 Any person convicted of a violation of any rule or regulation made under this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars and in case of a second or subsequent offense, the registration of the vehicle or vehicles involved shall be suspended for such length of time as the registrar shall determine.