MA Speeding Ticket #3

[PWhite1958]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts
My son received two speeding tickets before he turned 18 (one of them two days before) and consequently lost his license for six months. On the last day of his suspension we went to the registry to pay his fee and get his license reinstated. They told us to come back the next day because apparently that was the particular day to reinstate. Well, as dumb as this sounds that night he got another speeding ticket because he thought it was okay to drive since it was the day he was supposed to be reinstated. The officer wrote him up for a suspended license and speeding and we went to court. At court the DA recommended a $200 fine and no further action to be done with it. We STILL received a notice from the registry saying he had to give up his right to drive for 30 days even though we had already been to court. We don't understand this. They are saying it is because he had three speeding tickets in one year. But we thought (I guess maybe wrongly) after he paid his dues with the six month suspension as a junor operator his slate was clean. Why would we still get a notice from the registry for suspension if we already paid a fine at court specifically one for speeding and one for the driving without the license. Should we try to appeal this? We only have until 3-24-07.

 

[FlyingRon]

Well, as dumb as this sounds that night he got another speeding ticket because he thought it was okay to drive since it was the day he was supposed to be reinstated. The officer wrote him up for a suspended license and speeding and we went to court. At court the DA recommended a $200 fine and no further action to be done with it.

The DA was lenient. Driving on a suspension is serious and could have even meant jail time. "Supposed" means nothing. Until you get the reinstatement it's still suspended. Doesn't matter that they only have the hearings on certain days.

We STILL received a notice from the registry saying he had to give up his right to drive for 30 days even though we had already been to court. We don't understand this.

The DMV can sanction you independently


You're lucky, it should be a 60 day suspension and $500 to reinstate. Take the three speeding ticket one.

 

[PWhite1958]

Lessons learned

I figured as much. I wish they had told him the registry could charge him independently when at court. It might have softened the blow a little... no doubt he deserves what he got and is lucky he didn't get arrested...

 

[rmv]

Massachusetts RMV

As a general rule, the nice people at the Mass. RMV can take independent "administrative" action against your license, independently of what happens in court. Tell you son to be careful, because if he gets 5 surchargable events within three (3) years, he will have to take a driver safety course or his license will be suspended (until he completes the course.)

If he is unfortunate enough to accumulate 7 surchargable events within 3 years, his license will be revoked for 60 days (mandatory revocation), even after he completes the course.