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Mass. RMV & Board of Appeal Suspensions and Requirements

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The Mass. RMV has a few absolute and mandatory license suspensions and requirements to which there are no exceptions. These are outlined below. If these apply to you, there is likely no way to get a license or avoid the restriction unless and until you address the underlying issue.

Interlock. If you are a second or subsequent OUI offender, and you either reinstating a full license or coming off of a hardship license, after January 1, 2006, your license will be restricted to only those vehicles equipped with a certified ignition interlock device for the entire term of your hardship license, if any, and for 2 years after getting your full license back. There are no exceptions to his rule. It does not matter who your lawyer is, how hard you fight, or how old your OUI convictions are. Neither the Massachusetts RMV nor the Board of Appeal will make any exceptions to this strictly enforced requirement.

JOL Speeding – Reinstatement Requirements. If your license is suspended or revoked due to a JOL Speeding Violation, you are required to take the State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) Program and the National Safety Council Alive at 25 Course. These program requirements will not be waived or excused for any reason. You will not be able to schedule a written or road test until you complete these 2 required programs.

NDR Suspensions. If your license or right to drive is legitimately suspended in the National Driver Registry due to an unsatisfied obligation or suspension in another state, the Massachusetts Registry will absolutely not give you any license until this is cleared. Even if you have an order from the Board of Appeal, the RMV will not honor it until you are clear in the NDR. Without this rule and the National Driver Registry, people could avoid penalties and license suspensions simply by moving to other states.

Child Support. If your license is suspended or revoked because of unpaid child support, there is no way to get it back unless and until you get the matter cleared up with the DOR. Contact a family law attorney for more information.

Parking Tickets & Excise Tax. If you owe parking tickets or excise tax, your license will be non-renewable until you make the required payments and get a release from the city or town.

Unpaid Speeding or Traffic Tickets.  You must pay any unpaid traffic citation to avoid an indefinite license suspension.

False License / Application. If your license has been suspended or revoked due to any kind of identity theft, false license application, or license fraud, you must meet with the Mass. State Police Compliance Unit and prove your identity prior to attempting to get a hardship or full license. Neither the Registry nor the Board of Appeal will give you a license until the State Police are satisfied as to your true identity.

Outstanding Warrants. If you have any outstanding arrest or default warrants, the RMV will automatically suspend your license and you will not get it back unless and until you clear up the warrants.

These are a few examples of situations where there is no way to avoid a license suspension or requirement without meeting the requirements listed above. Assuming that the above-listed suspensions or restrictions are valid in your case, challenging them is a waste of time and money. Likewise, license reinstatement fees are mandatory and the Board of Appeal will not order the RMV to waive them. After all, the state needs your money. 

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