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Under the Mass. Fake ID Law, it is a criminal offense in Massachusetts to falsely make, steal, alter, forge or counterfeit or procure or assist another to falsely make, steal, alter, forge or counterfeit a learner’s permit, a license to operate motor vehicles, a RMV identification card, a certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer, or an inspection sticker. This offense is a felony that carries a potential state prison sentence and mandatory license revocation.
It is also a violation of the Fake ID Law to forge or without authority use the signature, facsimile of the signature, or validating signature stamp of the registrar or deputy registrar upon a genuine, stolen or falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited learner’s permit, license to operate motor vehicles, certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer or inspection sticker.
It is also a crime to possess, utter, publish as true or in any way make use of a falsely made, stolen, altered, forged or counterfeited learner’s permit, license to operate motor vehicles, an identification card, certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer or inspection sticker.
Additionally, it is a violation of the Mass. Fake ID Law to falsely impersonate the person named in an application for a license or learner’s permit to operate motor vehicles, or to procure or assist another to falsely impersonate the person named in such an application whether of himself or another, or to use a name other than your own to falsely obtain such a license or to possess, utter, publish as true, or in any way make use of a license or learner’s permit to operate motor vehicles that was obtained in such a manner.
A conviction of any of the above-mentioned items is a felony under Massachusetts law, with a potential state prison sentence of 5 years. Also, the Registry is required to suspend immediately, for one year, the license or right to operate a person convicted of any of the above, and no appeal, motion for new trial or exceptions will operate to stay the suspension of the license or right to operate. However, you may be able to get a Mass. Hardship License.
The Registry may also suspend the license or right to operate and the certificate of registrations of any person for up to 6 months, whenever the RMV, after a hearing, has reason to believe that an individual has violated the provisions G.L. c. 138 § 34B.
If a license holder is convicted of a second violation of any of G.L. c. 138 § 34B, the Mass. RMV is required to suspend the person’s license for 1 year.
G.L. c. 138 § 34B provides in part that “any person who transfers, alters or defaces any such card or license, or who makes, uses, carries, sells or distributes a false identification card or license, or uses the identification card or motor vehicle license of another, or furnishes false information in obtaining such card or license, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months.”
The Massachusetts Registry uses computer cross-checking and facial recognition software to identify drivers who have violated the Massachusetts false license laws. These cases are investigated and prosecuted by the Special Investigations Unit of the Registry’s Enforcement Services Division. This is a unit made up of Registry personnel and Massachusetts State Troopers. It is located at 10 Park Plaza in Boston and there is no walk-in service available. The Enforcement Services building, located at 10 Park Plaza, also has an address of 137 Stuart Street. There are 2 addresses for the same building.
The RMV will impose a “COMP FRAUD LIC/ID” suspension if you were found to have used false information and/or documentation to obtain a driver’s license or you were caught using a fake ID. Providing false information to the Registry to get a license or ID card is a felony for which you may be prosecuted. Even if you are not prosecuted or convicted of a false license charge, the Registry can still suspend your license or right to drive. Prior to resuming driving after an indefinite “COMP FRAUD LIC/ID” suspension, you will be required to file a new license application and pass written & road tests, as if you never had a license.
If you have a Mass. Suspended license because of a false license law violation, you may be entitled to a Massachusetts Hardship License. Contact a Suspended License Lawyer to find out how. The Massachusetts Board of Appeal can force the RMV to issue a hardship license even if the Registry initially refused to do so. You will need to go before the Board of Appeal because the Registry will not issue a hardship license for a license fraud suspension without an order from the Board.
More information about Massachusetts License Fraud
- COMP FRAUD LIC/ID Questions & Answers
- Hardship Licenses for Fraud Suspensions
- Fraudulent License Suspensions in Massachusetts
- False Licenses in Massachusetts
- Comp Fraud Lic/Id Hearings
- Technology Detects False Licenses
- Fraudulent License Hearings
- Massachusetts Registry Will Not Accept Puerto Rican Birth Certificates