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Roadblocks: Evaluating the impact of fines-related driver’s license suspension on work-related outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged workers.

Maura J. Mills et al.

Journal of Applied Psychology2026https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001357article
FT50AJG 4*ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Loss of transportation access is likely to compromise individuals' ability to get to work. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we triangulate across complementary methodologies to examine the far-reaching impact of driver's license suspension for nonpayment of court-ordered legal fees. Reflexive thematic analysis of preliminary qualitative interview data (N = 21) yielded themes related to compromised social mobility and well-being, with subthemes indicative of job/income loss and un(der)employment resulting from unpaid fines and license suspension, inability to afford additional fees, subsequent transportation challenges, resource acquisition beyond the formal workforce, and a desire for betterment. We build on this qualitative richness via a two-study approach. In Study 1, we draw on quantitative survey data (N = 879), evidencing a positive association between license suspension and unemployment, and indicating that this relationship is mediated by compromised access to transportation. License suspension was also positively associated with turning toward the informal shadow economy for employment, with some individuals reporting turning to sex work and crime to make ends meet. Data bore out a number of employment- and well-being-related consequences of nonpayment policies, and suggested that effects may function differentially by race, with Black individuals experiencing disproportionately negative effects. In Study 2, archival data indicated that enforcement of license suspensions is likely to result in a net loss to state revenue, incentivizing policy revision. Collectively, our data suggest that fine and fee imposition, and associated driver's license suspension, are likely to have a number of negative effects for individuals, employers, and society alike. We offer policy and practice implications related to reevaluating license suspension for nonpayment of court-ordered legal financial obligations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001357

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@article{maura2026,
  title        = {{Roadblocks: Evaluating the impact of fines-related driver’s license suspension on work-related outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged workers.}},
  author       = {Maura J. Mills et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Applied Psychology},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001357},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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