What You Need to Do to Reinstate in Massachusetts
To reinstate a suspended license in Massachusetts, you must first find out why your license was suspended, because the reinstatement path depends on the reason. The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) suspends licenses for different violations — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, drug convictions, or medical reasons — and each has its own requirements before the RMV will restore your driving privileges.
You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back. You must resolve the underlying issue that caused the suspension, then request reinstatement through the RMV. The process takes time, and you will need to gather specific documents depending on your suspension reason.
Start by contacting the RMV directly to confirm your suspension status and the exact reason. You can call the RMV at 617-351-4500 or visit an RMV service center in person. Have your license number or date of birth ready. The RMV will tell you what you must do before reinstatement is possible.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension reason determines what you must do before reinstatement — unpaid fines, court appearances, child support, or medical clearance all have different paths.
- Contact the RMV first to learn the exact reason for your suspension and what documents or payments are required.
- You must resolve the underlying issue (pay fines, appear in court, clear child support arrears, or obtain medical clearance) before the RMV will reinstate your license.
- Reinstatement fees in Massachusetts range from $50 to $100 depending on the suspension type, and you pay this only after resolving the suspension cause.
- Once you have met all requirements, submit your reinstatement request to the RMV by mail, phone, or in person at a service center.
Suspension Reasons and What Each Requires
Massachusetts suspends licenses for specific reasons, and the RMV will not reinstate until that reason is addressed. The most common suspension causes are unpaid traffic violations or fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, drug-related convictions, and medical conditions that make driving unsafe.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or traffic violations, you must pay the full amount owed to the court or the RMV, depending on where the fine was issued. If the suspension is for failure to appear in court, you must appear in the court that issued the suspension order or work with an attorney to resolve the case. If your suspension is tied to child support arrears, the Department of Revenue will notify the RMV when arrears are paid or a payment plan is in place. Drug convictions require completion of an alcohol or drug education program before reinstatement. Medical suspensions require a letter from your doctor or a medical examination showing you are safe to drive.
Do not assume you know the reason. Call the RMV and confirm it in writing if possible, because paying the wrong entity or completing the wrong requirement wastes time.
Steps to Reinstate After Resolving the Suspension Cause
Once you have resolved the reason for your suspension — paid fines, appeared in court, cleared child support arrears, completed a required program, or obtained medical clearance — you are ready to request reinstatement. The RMV will not process your request until the underlying issue is fully resolved.
Contact the RMV to confirm that your suspension cause has been cleared in their system. This may take a few days after you have paid a fine or appeared in court, because courts and the RMV do not update when ready. Ask the RMV staff when you can expect the suspension to be lifted from their records.
Once the RMV confirms the suspension cause is resolved, you can request reinstatement. You have three options: mail a reinstatement request form to the RMV, call 617-351-4500 to request reinstatement by phone, or visit an RMV service center in person. The RMV will charge a reinstatement fee, which ranges from $50 to $100 depending on your suspension type. You must pay this fee at the time of reinstatement.
After you submit your reinstatement request and pay the fee, the RMV will process it within one to five business days. You will receive written confirmation by mail. Your license will be reinstated as of the date the RMV processes your request, not the date you submitted it.
Documents and Information You Will Need
Have the following information ready before you contact the RMV or visit a service center: your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason you believe your license was suspended. If you have received a suspension notice in the mail, bring that notice with you.
If your suspension was for unpaid fines, bring proof of payment — a receipt from the court, a cancelled check, or a credit card statement showing the payment. If your suspension was for failure to appear in court, bring the court case number and be prepared to appear in court or provide documentation that the case has been resolved. If your suspension is tied to child support, you do not need to bring documents; the Department of Revenue will notify the RMV directly when arrears are paid or a payment plan is established.
If your suspension was for a drug conviction, bring proof of completion of the required alcohol or drug education program — a certificate or letter from the program provider. If your suspension is medical, bring a letter from your physician stating that you are medically safe to drive, or be prepared to undergo a medical examination at the RMV's direction.
RMV Service Centers and Contact Information
Massachusetts has multiple RMV service centers across the state. The main phone line is 617-351-4500. You can also visit the RMV website at mass.gov/rmv to find the service center nearest you, check hours, and read forms.
If you visit a service center in person, bring your identification and any documents listed above. Service centers are often busy, so arriving early in the day or on a weekday morning usually means shorter wait times. Some service centers allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can save time.
If you prefer to handle reinstatement by mail, read the reinstatement request form from mass.gov/rmv or call 617-351-4500 to request one by mail. Mail the completed form along with your reinstatement fee (check or money order) to the RMV address provided on the form. Include a copy of any proof of payment or completion documents. Mail processing takes longer than in-person or phone requests — typically one to two weeks.
Reinstatement Fees and Payment Methods
The reinstatement fee in Massachusetts is $50 for most suspensions, but some suspension types carry a $100 fee. The RMV will tell you the exact fee when you contact them. You must pay this fee at the time of reinstatement; the RMV will not process your request without payment.
If you reinstate in person at a service center, you can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. If you reinstate by phone, the RMV will direct you to pay by credit or debit card over the phone. If you reinstate by mail, send a check or money order payable to the "Registrar of Motor Vehicles." Do not send cash through the mail.
The reinstatement fee is separate from any fines or court costs you owed for the original violation. If your suspension was for unpaid fines, you must pay those fines first; the reinstatement fee is in addition to that amount.
What Happens If Your Suspension Is Not Yet Resolved
If you contact the RMV and the suspension cause is still active — for example, you have not yet paid fines or appeared in court — the RMV cannot reinstate your license. You must complete the required action first. The RMV staff can tell you exactly what remains to be done and, in some cases, direct you to the right agency or court.
If you owe fines, contact the court that issued the fine or the RMV directly to set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Some courts allow payment plans, though not all. If you failed to appear in court, contact the court when ready to reschedule your appearance or work with an attorney to resolve the case. If child support arrears are the issue, contact the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement office to arrange payment or a payment plan.
Do not drive while your license is suspended. Driving with a suspended license in Massachusetts is a separate criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and additional license suspension. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle may be impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Massachusetts?
If you reinstate in person or by phone after resolving the suspension cause, the RMV processes the request within one to five business days. If you reinstate by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing. The timeline starts from the date the RMV receives your request, not the date you submit it.
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the RMV officially reinstates it. Driving during this period is a separate criminal offense. Wait for written confirmation from the RMV before you drive.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call the RMV at 617-351-4500 and provide your name, date of birth, and license number. The RMV will tell you the suspension reason and what you must do to resolve it. This is the fastest way to get answers.
Can I reinstate my license online?
Massachusetts does not currently offer online reinstatement. You must reinstate by phone, mail, or in person at an RMV service center. The phone option is usually fastest.
What if I moved out of state after my license was suspended?
You can still reinstate your Massachusetts license by mail or phone, even if you live in another state. Contact the RMV at 617-351-4500 to resolve the suspension cause and request reinstatement. You will need to mail your reinstatement fee and any required documents to the RMV address provided.