Discretionary, mandatory, and public safety suspensions

The RMV has the authority to suspend or revoke your learner's permit, license, right to operate, or vehicle registration in some instances without prior notice. In most cases, this is at the request of local or state police.

Table of Contents

Discretionary/public safety suspension types

Below is a list and brief description of these types of suspensions and revocations:

  • Immediate Threat: If the RMV determines that your operation of a motor vehicle poses an immediate threat to public safety, the RMV can revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, vehicle registration, or right to operate immediately for an indefinite period.

  • Immediate Threat Medical: If the RMV determines that you pose an immediate threat to public safety because you have a medical condition which hinders your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the RMV can suspend your learner's permit, driver's license, vehicle registration, or right to operate immediately for an indefinite period.

  • Complaint Medical: A person with a medical condition that may affect a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

  • Complaint of Improper Operation: Law enforcement may request the RMV's support in removing a driver from the roadways as a result of improper operation of a motor vehicle.

  • Complaint Fraud License: 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.

  • Complaint General: Miscellaneous police complaint.

  • Complaint Regulatory: Action used by the RMV to notify a person of a scheduled hearing.

The RMV is required to send a suspension notice to the address of record. In some cases, this notice will require that you see a hearings officer who will review the complaint and take appropriate action.

If the offense is license fraud, you will be required to resolve the matter with the RMV's Enforcement Services Division. To make an appointment, please call (857) 368-9500.

Mandatory suspension types

When the RMV is required by law to take action relative to a learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate, and/or registration, it is considered to be a mandatory suspension. By law, the enforcement of a mandatory suspension is not optional or subject to the RMV's discretion. The RMV is required by law to suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate in the following cases:

  • Conviction of a criminal motor vehicle violation (e.g., operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs or leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury or property damage)

  • Administrative actions involving chemical tests for alcohol or drugs

  • Conviction of drug trafficking under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C, section 32E (b, c, and c 1/2). This is a non-motor vehicle offense, which means that a motor vehicle does not need to be involved.

  • Suspension or revocation or conviction of a violation in another state or as defined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Sec 22(c)

  • Accumulation of multiple responsible findings, guilty findings, or surchargeable accidents

The above list is not inclusive of all mandatory suspensions/revocations.

Contact   for Discretionary, mandatory, and public safety suspensions

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