How a Massachusetts license suspension works and what you can do about it
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) can suspend your license for several reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions reported by a doctor, or accumulating too many points from violations. When your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive, and driving with a suspended license carries criminal penalties including fines and jail time.
The first step is finding out why your license was suspended. The RMV sends a notice by mail, but if you have moved or the notice was lost, you can call the RMV at 617-351-4500 or visit an RMV branch in person. You need the specific reason before you can fix the problem, because each reason has a different path to reinstatement.
Key Takeaways
- The RMV will mail you a suspension notice, but you can also call 617-351-4500 or visit a branch to find out why your license was suspended.
- Unpaid fines and court failures require payment or a court appearance; child support suspensions require proof of payment or a payment plan from the state agency.
- Medical suspensions need a doctor's clearance form sent directly to the RMV before reinstatement is possible.
- After you resolve the underlying reason, you must request reinstatement through the RMV, which may involve paying a reinstatement fee.
- Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Massachusetts and can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
Suspension for unpaid fines or failure to appear in court
If you received a traffic ticket and did not pay the fine or did not show up for a court date, the RMV suspends your license automatically. The court sends the suspension order to the RMV without needing to notify you first, which is why you may not realize your license is suspended until you are pulled over.
To fix this, you must either pay the fine in full or appear in court. You can pay fines online through the Massachusetts Court System website (mass.gov/courts) if you know your case number, or you can go to the courthouse in person. If you missed a court date, call the courthouse directly to reschedule or ask whether you can resolve the case by mail or phone. Once the court receives your payment or processes your appearance, it sends a clearance to the RMV, and your suspension is lifted within a few business days.
If you cannot afford to pay the full fine, ask the court about a payment plan or a fine reduction. Courts can lower fines or allow you to pay over time, but you must request this before the suspension takes effect.
Suspension for unpaid child support
Massachusetts suspends licenses for people who owe child support or are behind on payments. This suspension is issued by the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement Division, not the court, and it is separate from any criminal case.
To lift the suspension, you must contact the Child Support Enforcement Division at 1-800-332-2733 or visit mass.gov/dor. You can either pay the full amount owed or set up a payment plan. Once you have made an agreement with the state, the Division sends a clearance to the RMV. The suspension is removed within a few business days of the clearance being received.
If you believe the amount owed is wrong or you have a legitimate reason you cannot pay, you can request a hearing with the Division. Ask about this when you call.
Suspension for medical reasons
A doctor can report you to the RMV if they believe you have a medical condition that makes driving unsafe — such as a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or cognitive impairment. The RMV then suspends your license and sends you a notice. You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the suspension, but the fastest path to reinstatement is to address the medical issue.
You must obtain a clearance form from a doctor stating that your condition has improved or been treated and that you are safe to drive. The form is called the "Medical Examination Report" and is available on the RMV website. Your doctor fills it out and sends it directly to the RMV's Medical Affairs Unit. Once the RMV receives and approves the form, your suspension is lifted.
If you disagree with the suspension, you can request a hearing within 10 days of receiving the notice. The hearing is held before an RMV hearing officer, and you can bring medical records or a doctor's statement to support your case.
Suspension for accumulating too many points
Massachusetts uses a point system for traffic violations. If you accumulate 12 or more points within two years, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you accumulate 18 or more points within three years, the suspension is 60 days. The RMV sends a notice by mail when you reach the threshold.
You cannot shorten a point-based suspension by paying a fee or taking an action — you must wait out the suspension period. However, you can reduce your points by taking a defensive driving course. A course removes up to three points from your record and can prevent a future suspension. You must take the course before the suspension begins to avoid it, or after the suspension ends to reduce points for the future.
After the suspension period ends, you must request reinstatement from the RMV. Some suspensions lift automatically, but it is safer to contact the RMV to confirm your license is active again.
How to request reinstatement after the reason for suspension is resolved
Once you have paid fines, appeared in court, cleared child support, obtained medical clearance, or completed a suspension period, you must formally request reinstatement. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at an RMV branch.
To request reinstatement online, visit mass.gov/rmv and look for the reinstatement option in your account. You will need your license number and date of birth. By mail, send a letter to the RMV stating your name, license number, and the reason your license was suspended, along with proof that the reason has been resolved (a court clearance, payment receipt, or medical form). Mail it to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 369, Boston, MA 02133.
In person, visit any RMV branch with your license and proof of resolution. Some suspensions require a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. The RMV will tell you the fee amount when you request reinstatement. Processing typically takes three to five business days.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Massachusetts. A first offense carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and possible jail time up to 30 days. A second offense within 10 years increases the fine to $1,000 to $5,000 and possible jail time up to 60 days. Your license suspension is also extended — typically by an additional 60 days or more.
If you are pulled over, the officer will likely arrest you or issue a citation requiring you to appear in court. Your vehicle may be towed. Even if you are not stopped, driving on a suspended license creates a criminal record that affects employment, housing, and insurance.
If you need to drive before your suspension is lifted, ask the court or the RMV about a hardship license. A hardship license allows limited driving for work, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You must show that you have a genuine need and no other transportation option. Not all suspension reasons may have access to for a hardship license — medical suspensions and some criminal suspensions do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my license is suspended right now?
Call the RMV at 617-351-4500 with your license number and date of birth, or visit mass.gov/rmv and check your license status online. You can also visit an RMV branch in person. The RMV sends suspension notices by mail, but they can be delayed or lost, so calling is the fastest way to confirm.
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
It depends on the reason for suspension. Hardship licenses are available for suspensions due to unpaid fines, failure to appear, or point accumulation if you can show you need to drive for work or medical care. Medical and child support suspensions typically do not may have access to. Contact the RMV or the court that issued the suspension to ask whether you are may be able to access.
What if I moved and did not receive the suspension notice?
The RMV mails notices to the address on file with your license. If you moved, the notice may not have reached you, but the suspension is still in effect. Call the RMV to confirm your address is current and to find out why your license was suspended. You can update your address online at mass.gov/rmv or at any RMV branch.
How long does reinstatement take after I resolve the problem?
Processing time is typically three to five business days after you request reinstatement and provide proof that the suspension reason has been resolved. Some suspensions lift automatically after the suspension period ends, but you should contact the RMV to confirm your license is active before you drive.
Do I have to pay a fee to get my license back?
Reinstatement fees vary by suspension reason and are not required for all suspensions. Unpaid fine and court failure suspensions usually have a fee of $100 to $150. Child support suspensions may have a fee. Medical and point-based suspensions typically do not. The RMV will tell you the fee amount when you request reinstatement.