Massachusetts Hardship License Lawyer

What is a Hardship License?

A Massachusetts Hardship License, also known as a Cinderella License, is a 12-hour license granted to individuals who meet certain criteria. Eligibility for a hardship depends on the circumstances and length of your suspension.

• You must serve 3 months of a 1-year suspension to be eligible.
• A 2-year suspension requires you to serve 1 year before applying for a Massachusetts hardship license.
• You must complete 2 years of an 8-year suspension.

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For a First Offense OUI with a 24D disposition, a hardship license is available upon enrollment into the DUI Alcohol Education Program. Within a few days of resolving your first offense DUI, we will get you into the registry, back on the road, and back to your normal life.

Only upon a 24D Disposition will you be eligible for a hardship license during a suspension for a chemical test refusal.

Massachusetts Hardship License Rules

On a 1 year suspension for a First Offense OUI/DUI/DWI conviction, not a 24D disposition, you’re eligible for a Massachusetts hardship license three months into your suspension.

Massachusetts Hardship licenses are not limited to DUI related suspensions either. If your license has been suspended as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) Attorneys James G. DeGiacomo and Sergey Mikhlin can walk you through this process as well.

If your license is suspended for 2 years for a Second Offense DUI, you will only be eligible for a Massachusetts hardship license after you’ve completed 1 year of that suspension. During that year, you will also have to complete the 14 day in-patient program along with the prescribed aftercare.

If your license is suspended for 8 years following a Third Offense DUI, you will have to complete 2 years of the suspension. Here again, you will have to provide the Registry with proof of completion of the in-patient program and compliance with the after-care treatment.

On a 10-year license suspension following a Fourth Offense DUI, a term of 5 years must be completed before you will be eligible for a Massachusetts hardship license.

Will Your Insurance Rates Be Affected With a Hardship License?

Obtaining a hardship license in Massachusetts can impact insurance rates, as it may be seen by insurers as a higher-risk arrangement. A hardship license is typically granted following a license suspension, often due to a serious violation like a DUI, and allows limited driving privileges for essential purposes, such as employment or medical needs. Because of the underlying suspension and the conditions surrounding a hardship license, insurance providers often categorize drivers with this license as high-risk, leading to potential premium increases.

Insurers frequently review driving histories to assess risk, and any suspension—even with the issuance of a hardship license—signals an elevated likelihood of future claims. For drivers with hardship licenses resulting from DUI or multiple infractions, insurance companies may apply surcharges or higher base rates, reflecting the increased risk associated with these infractions.

It is advisable for individuals with hardship licenses to contact their insurance provider and understand any changes to their policy costs. Some drivers may explore options like high-risk insurance programs, which offer policies specifically designed for those with suspended licenses or significant driving violations. Although the increase in premiums can be an added burden, a hardship license allows essential driving privileges that can help maintain employment and meet necessary responsibilities, which may offset the cost for some drivers. Legal guidance can further clarify how a hardship license could affect insurance, as every case carries unique factors that may influence the outcome.

Massachusetts Hardship License Lawyer: Call (617) 941-3666

In all of these circumstances, you must prove a documented hardship. Your license loss must substantially impact your employment or education. This is often accomplished through a letter from your employer or school administrator.

Hardship Licenses are granted at the discretion of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, they will take into consideration the facts of your case along with your driving history in determining whether or not to grant you a Massachusetts Hardship License.

You don’t have to go through the complicated procedures at the Registry alone. Contact Massachusetts Hardship License Attorneys James G. DeGiacomo and Sergey Mikhlin now at (617) 941-3666 and they will help you through the process and get you back on the road and back to your normal life.