Massachusetts hardship licenses are not automatically issued and there is no automatic right to a hardship license. Instead, hardship licenses are issued at the discretion of the Registry of Motor Vehicles or the Board of Appeal of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. There are several components to a hardship license appeal and one of the most important is the presentation of adequate documentary evidence.
Both the Registry and the Board of Appeal will require documents proving two things: that you have a legitimate and substantial need to drive and that issuing a hardship license will not endanger public safety. In most hardship license cases, the need to drive is documented by a letter from the hardship license applicant’s employer. The letter should clearly explain the applicant’s work hours and need to drive. If driving is part of the applicant’s job duties, the hardship work letter should describe these job duties. The letter should also state that public transportation will not suffice. Additionally, if possible, the letter should describe what will happen to the employee and the company if a hardship license is not issued.
The hardship license letter does not have to come from a company president or human resource official. Anyone with access to letterhead, including a co-worker can write a hardship license letter. Also, it is possible to obtain a hardship license letter without having to inform your employer about your DUI arrest. Contact a suspended license lawyer to find out how.
A self-employed hardship license applicant should write his or her own work letter. The letter should contain the above-listed information. Additionally, self-employed hardship license applicants should provide written proof of self-employment. This is necessary because some applicants who are unemployed try to falsely claim that they are self-employed.
In cases where a hardship license is being sought for medical reasons, the applicant should submit letter(s) from his or her treating physician(s). These letters should describe the applicant’s appointment schedule and need to drive.
Where a hardship license is being sought for educational reasons, a copy of the applicant’s school schedule should be submitted. Also, if possible, a letter confirming the applicant’s enrollment in school should be included. In cases of JOL speeding suspensions, report cards showing good grades are helpful.
If you are in need to legal representation for your Massachusetts Hardship License case, please contact me using the free consultation contact form on the Massachusetts Suspended License Lawyers website or by telephone at 508-881-1119.
Attorney Brian E. Simoneau
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