The enhanced penalties associated with the Massachusetts Junior Operator's License Law went into effect on March 31, 2007. These harsh new penalties include substantial suspensions, even for first offenses, as well as stiff fines and reinstatement costs. The RMV has a "zero tolerance" approach with respect to JOL violations.
The law specifies that a JOL holder who is convicted of any one of a number of serious motor vehicles offenses will receive an additional 180 day suspension for a first offense, and a one (1) year suspension for a second offense. (Note: both offenses need not be the same type): Those offenses include: Operation Under the Influence, Operating to Endanger, Leaving the Scene of a personal injury or property
damage accident, Drinking From an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage, Operation Under the Influence Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Motor Vehicle Homicide. Note: This enhanced penalty does NOT apply in cases where the Junior Operator has already received an enhanced penalty for failing or refusing a breath test. Also, all drivers under the age of 21 face “enhanced” penalties for operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Those under 21 years of age face 6 month license suspensions for a conviction of buying, attempting to buy, or having someone buy alcoholic beverages. A conviction of "minor transporting alcohol" carries with it a 3 month license suspension.
The RMV will suspend the license
for 90 days of any person convicted of a first
drag racing or speeding offense which was committed while the person was a
“Junior Operator.” A second or subsequent conviction of a speeding or drag racing offense will
result in a one year suspension. The law
requires the Registrar to impose these suspensions in
addition to any other penalty. The RMV deems a “responsible” finding on a citation to be a “conviction.”
A junior operator who violates the passenger
restriction shall be subject to a license suspension of 60 days for a first offense with a reinstatement fee of $100. The six (6)
month passenger restriction period will stop running when the suspension begins and the remainder of the restriction period
will start running again when the suspension is completed.
If your Junior Operator's License is suspended, you may be required to take the State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) program. This program was developed to educate and reduce recidivism among drivers charged with serious motor vehicle violations. It combines the referral resources of the courts with the motor vehicle expertise of the Massachusetts State Police to promote driver and community education on the importance of safe and responsible driving.
To register for SCARR, call 978-538-6078. You will be required to leave a message with the following information: Your name, Address, Date of birth, License number, Phone number, Reinstatement eligibility date. You will receive a return call with your class date, time, and location prior to your reinstatement date.
You may also be requried to take the NSC "Driver Attitudinal Course: DDC Alive at 25." This highly interactive four-hour program encouraging young drivers to take responsibility for their driving behavior.
You have the right to be represented by counsel at any RMV suspension / license reinstatement hearing. The experienced attorneys of Mass. RMV Appeals can help you. Contact us now for a FREE CONSULTATION.
