Your license can be suspended or revoked in Massachusetts
for several different reasons ranging from failing to pay child support to DUI violations. Further, driving with a suspended license in Massachusetts is a serious offense that can lead to steep fines and even jail time. You may be surprised to learn of the many ways your driver’s license can be suspended—and that they don’t all have to do with driving. Given the serious consequences involved with driving on a suspended license, it’s important to make sure you are up to date on everything there is to know.
Luckily for you, Jerry
has created this guide to the most common ways to get a suspended license in Massachusetts. Read on to learn more, plus get the inside scoop on next-level car insurance
savings. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?
While they may be used interchangeably, the words “suspension” and “revocation” have two distinctly different meanings:
A license suspension refers to a temporary loss of driving privileges for a specific time period.
A license revocation refers to a more severe loss of driving privileges, often requiring the driver to reapply for their license.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) can suspend or revoke your driver’s license
for a variety of different reasons. What can your license be suspended for in Massachusetts?
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most common ways you can have your license suspended in Massachusetts. To avoid hefty fines–or even jail time–take a close look at what we’ve discovered below.
1. If you get three speeding tickets
In Massachusetts, the speed limit is no laughing matter. All it takes is three speeding tickets—including any you’ve received in other states—within a 12-month period to have your license suspended or revoked. If you're convicted of reckless driving in Massachusetts
, your license will be suspended for at least 60 days. 2. If you fail to appear for a criminal court hearing
If you fail to appear for a criminal court hearing, not only will an arrest warrant be issued, but if the court submits a criminal citation default to the RMV, your license will be revoked indefinitely until you appear in court. Depending on the outcome of your court case, the RMV may or may not reinstate your license.
3. If you make a bad payment to the RMV
The RMV will suspend or revoke your license if you make a bad payment. A bad payment includes any payment that is rejected, invalidated, rescinded, or not paid in full. You must make your payment in full before you can reinstate your license
. 4. If you have three transparent window tickets
Your license will be suspended for 90 days if you have three tickets for not having transparent windows on your vehicle. Once you receive your suspension notice, your license will be suspended within 10 days.
5. If you receive three surchargeable events
Surchargeable events are at-fault accidents or traffic law offenses that could increase your insurance premium. If you receive three within a two-year period, you will receive a suspension notice. You will then have 90 days to complete a National Safety Council Course
or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program
before your suspension becomes active. 6. If you don’t pay child support
Failure to pay child support to the Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division will result in a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Once you receive your suspension notice, you have 10 days to pay any outstanding child support.
7. If you receive seven surchargeable events
If you receive seven surchargeable events within a three-year period, the RMV will suspend or revoke your license for up to 60 days.
8. If you are deemed a habitual traffic offender
Accumulating a total of three major moving violations or any combination of 12 major and/or minor moving violations—including out-of-state violations—within a five-year period will trigger the RMV to suspend or revoke your license for four years. Surchargeable accidents do not count in this case.
9. If you have a BAC over 0.08 or refuse a breathalyzer test
The length of time your license is suspended for operating under the influence (OUI) in Massachusetts
depends on the number of offenses you have and whether or not you submitted to a breathalyzer test. If you submit to a breathalyzer and register a BAC of 0.08 or higher, your license will be suspended immediately for 30 days. Suppose you are arrested for OUI and refuse a breathalyzer test. In that case, the officer will impound your vehicle within 12 hours, and depending on previous offenses, your license will be suspended or revoked for anywhere between 180 days and a lifetime.
10. If you don’t maintain Massachusetts car insurance
Driving without an insurance policy that adheres to Massachusetts car insurance laws
will lead to the RMV suspending your vehicle registration
indefinitely. If you provide proof of valid insurance
within 10 days of being notified of your suspension, the RMV will not take action. However, without proof, your vehicle registration will be suspended until you do. How to save money on car insurance in Massachusetts
All you have to do is download the Jerry app. In less than 45 seconds, you will be able to choose from competitive car insurance quotes
sourced from over 50 top insurance companies customized just for you. As a licensed broker
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