License Reinstatement Fees

If your Massachusetts license or right to drive in Massachusetts has been suspended or revoked, you will likely have to pay a reinstatement fee prior to getting your license back. You can pay this fee at any Massachusetts RMV Branch. The amount of the Massachusetts License Reinstatement Fee will depend on the reason for your license suspension.

The Registry does not waive reinstatement fees and the Board of Appeal will not order them to do so. Unless and until you pay the applicable reinstatement fee, the Registry will not reinstate your license or right to operate in Massachusetts, even if the Board of Appeal has authorized the issuance of a hardship license. The Registry does not accept credit card payments for reinstatement fees; they must be paid by cash or check. Reinstatement fees apply even if you are licensed in another state and your right to operate in Massachusetts has been suspended or revoked. If you have any questions regarding reinstatement fees, you can contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Suspension Section at 857-368-8200.

In addition to these reinstatement fees, if you must pay any outstanding traffic tickets, parking tickets, or excise tax before the RMV will reinstate your suspended or revoked license. The Mass. DUI Lawyers associated with this site can make license reinstatement payments for clients who have difficulty getting to the RMV. Ask your DUI Lawyer or license reinstatement attorney for more information.

For reinstatements after January 1, 2006, if you live or drive in Massachusetts and you have 2 or more DUI convictions on your record, you will be required to have a ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle which you own, lease, or operate for the entire term of any hardship license and for 2 years after getting your full license back. Both the Registry and the Board of Appeal strictly enforce this rule, there are no exceptions.

The reinstatement fees which the Mass RMV charges are not included in any price quoted for legal representation in license suspension appeal or hardship license cases. It is the client’s responsibility to pay these fees directly to the Registry, as part of the license reinstatement process.

DUI – First Offense $500

DUI – Second Offense $700

DUI – Third Offense $1200

DUI – Fourth Offense $1200

DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury $500

Fake ID / False License $500

Forged License $500

General Reinstatement Fee $100

Habitual Traffic Offender $500

JOL Speeding License Suspensions $500

JOL Texting / Cell Phone License Suspension, 1st offense $100 + $50.00 Surcharge

Complaint Immediate Threat $500

Immediate Threat Medical No Reinstatement Fee

Complaint Regulatory $100

Chemical Test Refusal (CTR) $500

JOL: 1st Offense Operating to Endanger, Reckless Driving, Negligent Operation, Drag Racing, $500 for 1st offense, $1000 for 2nd offense. JOL Texting / Cell Phone License Suspension, 2nd offense $500 + $50.00 Surcharge National Driver Registry (NDR) Revocations $100

Out of State – Same as the corresponding Massachusetts Violation

Operating so as to Endanger, $500

Theft or Concealment of a Motor Vehicle $500

Uninsured / No Liability Policy $500

Vehicular Homicide $500 Breathalyzer Failure (.08 or greater for 21 or over, .02 for under 21) $500

Everything You Need to Know About Cinderella License Fees

The cost of getting your full license back varies. However, you may be able to get a Cinderella license, also known as an MA hardship license, for a lower cost. The fees associated with this process are the same as the fees for a full license reinstatement.

For first-time offenders, the fee for a hardship license is $500. Second-time offenders must pay $700 and third-time offenders have a fee of $1,200. This cost does not include your attorney’s fees. Although you aren’t required to have an attorney for the hardship license process, it’s recommended. By working with a hardship license lawyer, you significantly improve your chances of getting a hardship license.

The license permits the individual to drive for a set period of time every day. Generally, the maximum driving time is 12 hours, which would limit you to driving only in those 12 hours. The Board of Appeal determines that period according to your needs and not your wants. Although you might prefer to go out in the late evening, your job might only require you to drive until 6 p.m. Once your hours are set and your hardship license is approved, you must adhere to the requirements.

Who Is Eligible for the Massachusetts Hardship License?

In Massachusetts, the hardship license is only available to certain offenders. Getting caught operating a vehicle since your license suspension or revocation may disqualify you. You must document your hardship and provide a letter from your employer that explains your need for a license. Additionally, it needs to include your work hours and be dated no more than 30 days from your registry hearing.

Self-employed individuals also must show evidence of their necessity for a license. This could come in the form of tax forms, a license, or a business certificate. If your license is for education, medical treatment, or another reason, you must provide the court with proof.

There are other requirements first-time offenders must meet. However, they are not nearly as strict as the criteria for multiple offenders. If you have more than one offense on your record, you need a letter from probation and evidence that you complied with your court-ordered treatments and classes. You must establish that you have a low risk of recidivism.

It’s important to note that, if you are a repeat DUI offender, you cannot receive a hardship license if you refused to submit to a chemical test. Instead, you need to manage without your license until your refusal suspension ends and your DUI suspension commences. Once you have served your DUI suspension, the Board of Appeal can consider you for a hardship license.

How to Get a Hardship License?

Getting a Cinderella license is more difficult than you might imagine. If you don’t provide enough evidence or make a convincing argument, you won’t be able to drive. You should contact a hardship license attorney to learn more about the process and get it started.

Is it Worth the Cost?

If you don’t have your license, it can impact your life in many ways. Fortunately, a Mass hardship license might prevent you from suffering. It enables you and other DUI offenders a chance to commute to work, drive children around, and perform other necessary activities. By having the license, you prevent your life from being turned upside-down.

How Much Does License Suspension Appeal Cost?

In some cases, you may be able to appeal your license suspension or revocation. If you applied for a hardship license and were denied, you can also appeal that decision. But your appeal comes at a cost.

To make an appeal, you must go through the Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds. They have the power to reverse decisions made about hardship licenses and license revocations or suspensions. The process takes anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks after the paperwork is filed. Typically, those with shorter suspensions get priority.

The cost of your appeal depends on your lawyer’s rates. If your appeal is complex and requires extensive research, it will cost more. There’s also a filing fee for the appeal process, and it usually costs $50.

The Appeals Process

Appeal hearings are substantially more formal than Registry hearings and they must be scheduled in advance. Because the process is more formal than reinstatement hearings, and the Registry will be represented by a lawyer at these hearings, you should consider retaining an experienced attorney to represent you.

The hearing takes place in a courtroom or hearing room and is done in front of three board members. During the hearing, your lawyer will present witnesses, evidence, and documents. They attempt to prove that the adverse action taken against you should be reversed or that you should be issued a hardship license. If successful, your attorney will convince the Board to overrule the RMV’s decision. Board decisions are issued in writing and mailed to the appellant or his lawyer.

License Reinstatement Fee FAQ

FInd out everything you need to know about the fees of license reinstatement.

Why Might You Need to Pay License Reinstatement Fees?

If you have your license suspended or revoked, you’ll need to pay to have it reinstated. There are a few reasons why the court or Registry could decide to take away your license.

For one, you might have an excess of moving violations. Massachusetts uses a points system for license holders. If you get three or more speeding tickets in a one year period, the RMV will suspend your license for one month. Meanwhile, someone with seven surchargeable events in a three-year period will have their license suspended for 60 days. People who are habitual offenders will have 4-year revocations.

Another common reason for license suspension is drunk driving. If you receive a DUI conviction or refuse to submit to a chemical test, you will automatically have your license suspended. The length of the suspension depends on the circumstances of your DUI and whether or not you have prior DUI convictions or alcohol program assignments.

In 2017, there were 4,935,176 licensed drivers in Massachusetts. But not all drivers have licenses. When they don’t, they could face a license suspension or even a revocation of their driving privileges.

Are the Reinstatement Fees My Only Fees?

Most people are concerned about the cost of license reinstatement. However, there’s more than just the fee you need to pay to the RMV. You also need to consider the fees associated with the cost of an ignition interlock device, your attorney fees, and fines issued by the court.

How Do You Pay the RMV Fees?

There are several ways in which you can pay your RMV fees. First, you have the option of making the payment in-person at your local RMV branch. Before you go, you should call and find out what payment types they accept. If you pay by debit or credit card, you may incur additional processing fees.

Another option is to pay your fees by mail. The process is as simple as sending a check to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Finally, you could choose to pay over the phone with a major credit card.

Does a Hardship License Cost More Than License Reinstatement?

If you’re researching how to get a hardship license, you probably have some questions about the fees. Fortunately, your hardship license should not cost more than a license reinstatement. Instead, it costs the same and you only need to pay the fee once. When your suspension period is over, you can get your license fully reinstated without paying additional reinstatement fees.

What Else Do You Need to Do to Get Your License Reinstated?

There’s much more to getting your license back than paying the license reinstatement fees. You also need to meet all of the specific requirements laid out by the court and/or Registry for your case. For instance, you might be required to take and pass the Class D or M learner’s permit exams. If you are a commercial driver, you might need to take and pass the learner’s permit exam and the CDL road exam. You may also need an Ignition Interlock Device.

For a license suspension that lasts two years or more, the RMV requires you to take the learner’s permit exam as well as the road test. Without doing so, you will be unable to get your license reinstated.  In some cases, the RMV might require you to take the tests even if your suspension was less than two years long. The Registry requires CDL holders to re-test after being suspended for one year or more.

Depending on the RMV’s demands for your case, you could be forced to take a class or program before obtaining your license. This could be the Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program, the State Courts Against Road Rage, Driver Attitudinal Retraining, or the Youth Alcohol Program. If your license was taken away for a DUI, you may be required to take drug or alcohol abuse counseling or a drug or alcohol education program.

How Can a Hardship License Attorney Help You?

If you’ve had your license suspended or revoked, a hardship license lawyer could make all the difference. First, they give you advice on your current situation. You may meet the requirements for a hardship license, which would allow you to drive to work, school, or doctor appointments.

They also will explain more about the license reinstatement process. With their guidance, you will understand what you need to do to get your license back. When the time comes to reclaim your license, you’ll be fully prepared.

Anyone who has their license taken away knows the many challenges that come without having a form of transportation. But you don’t need to watch your life fall apart. By working with an experienced hardship lawyer, you fight for your future. Contact Mass. RMV Lawyer to learn more. Our firm has represented many clients in the fight for the right to drive.