The Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds, which was established pursuant to G.L. c. 26, § 8A within the Massachusetts Division of Insurance hears hardship license requests and driver’s license suspension appeals, such as those for 7 surchargeable events. The Board of Appeal also administers and interprets the Safe Driver Insurance Plan.
According to the Board, motor vehicle equipment regulations are in place to prevent dangerous roadway situations caused by improperly equipped motor vehicles. Brake lights signal other drivers that a vehicle is stopping, Defective or inoperative brake lights are clearly dangerous and a public safety issue. The Board of Appeal has ruled that a defective equipment/brake light violation is significant and merits inclusion as a reportable traffic law violation under the Safe Driver Plan. The Board has concluded that these violations which result in a responsible finding can count towards a 7 surchargeable events suspension.
Under G.L. c. 175, § 113B, a seventh surchargeable event within years will result in a license suspension and it has upheld license suspensions based on defective equipment/brake light violations. The Board believes that Motor vehicle equipment regulations are in place to prevent dangerous roadway situations caused by improperly equipped motor vehicles. The Appeals Board has ruled that brake lights signal other drivers that a vehicle is stopping, Defective or inoperative brake lights are clearly dangerous and a public safety issue. According to the Board, a defective equipment/brake light violation is significant and merits inclusion in the calculation for a 7 surchargeable events suspension and as a reportable traffic law violation under the Massachusetts Safe Driver Plan.
The good news is that the Board of Appeal has the authority to grant hardship licenses and full reinstatements on 7 surchargeable events suspensions.