Surprise suspensions spark frustration

CRANSTON, RI (WPRI)  The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles has no intentions of waving fees you’ll have to pay if your license was suspended for not filing the DMV’s soon to be eliminated motor vehicle accident report.

Following Target 12’s ‘Surprise Suspensions’ , dozens of Rhode Islanders came forward with details about how they lost their licenses for not filing the form, which they say they didn’t know existed.

Tom Hogan went to the DMV Friday morning to get his license re-instated, saying he didn’t know about the requirement, until his license was suspended.

“I didn't know,” Hogan said. “I thought it was kind of idiotic because they give you the form right there from the police accident report. It’s kind of redundant.”

The law requires drivers involved in a crash that causes an injury or more than $1000 in damage to file the 3 page report with the DMV. But according to DMV statistics, it was not filed 60 percent of the time that it was required.

• DMV Motor Vehicle Accident Report

DMV Administrator Anthony Silva found that statistic eye opening. He said the form was created to supplement police reports but acknowledges that it may be obsolete now.

“The (accident) reporting system has evolved into such a great system on the police side,” Silva said. “We really don't need the dual reporting system any more.”

Drivers who emailed Target 12 and commented on the report on WPRI.com argued that the state should not charge fees that are connected to what seems to be an outdated system of reporting and tracking accidents.

Reinstating a suspended license costs $151.50. The process of checking whether or not your license is suspended will cost you $17.50 at the DMV and $19.50 on line.

• Check Your Driving Record

It isn't hard to find drivers who want the fees waived.

“It doesn’t cost anything to look it up on the computer,” Donna Brewer said, as she left the DMV after checking on her license.

And although Silva says the DMV sends letters to drivers about suspended licenses, several people tell us they don't remember getting the letters. Hogan says he didn't get a letter and didn’t know his license was suspended for not filing the form he didn’t know existed.  

“It really is the state nickeling and diming us,” Hogan said, regarding the fees to check and reinstate his license. “It’s unfair.”

Silva tells Target 12, the state stopped suspending licenses in November for not filing the DMV accident report and he expects to do away with it altogether by July. But he believes the fees are fair.

“I don't think it's cruel to make them pay that fee. That was law that was in place (at the time of the violation). That was the policy that was in place,” Silva said.

Target 12 found out Massachusetts has a similar dual reporting system but a Massachusetts Department of Transportation spokeswoman said it is ‘not common practice’ to suspend licenses for not filing the form with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Send your news tips to Walt Buteau at wbuteau@wpri.com and f ollow Walt on Twitter: @wbuteau