Suspended license in Massachusetts: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
Massachusetts does not use a points system; it counts convictions instead. A National Safety Council (NSC) Course / Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program can be taken instead of, or to end, a suspension, Required each time a 3 surchargeable events suspension notice is issued; there is no limit to the number of such suspensions. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $100.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.
Massachusetts does not suspend on a point total. The Registry of Motor Vehicles counts 'surchargeable events' (moving violations and at-fault accidents reported to the Merit Rating Board) and speeding findings: 3 speeding tickets in 12 months bring a 30-day suspension, 3 surchargeable events in 2 years require a driver retraining course to avoid suspension, 7 surchargeable events in 3 years bring a 60-day suspension, and 3 major or 12 major/minor moving violations in 5 years make a habitual traffic offender revoked for 4 years. Separately, the Safe Driver Insurance Plan assigns surcharge points (2 to 5 per incident) that affect insurance premiums, not the license.
Points period stated by the agency: 3 years. Each accumulation rule has its own window: 3 speeding tickets are counted within any 12-month period from the most recent finding, 3 surchargeable events within a 2-year period, 7 surchargeable events within a 3-year period, and habitual-traffic-offender convictions within a 5-year period. For insurance purposes the Safe Driver Insurance Plan assigns no surcharge points to incidents in the sixth (oldest) year of the policy experience period. A driving record lists criminal and civil offenses found guilty or responsible plus suspensions.
“the RMV will suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate for 60 days if you have accumulated 7 surchargeable events or moving violations (including out-of-state violations) within a 3-year period.”
Check points or the driving record: mass.gov
The statute: M.G.L. c. 90, § 22F
“A person shall be deemed an habitual traffic offender when records maintained by the registrar show that such person has accumulated the following convictions within a five-year period”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | National Safety Council (NSC) Course / Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program |
|---|---|
| Effect | Taken instead of, or to end, a suspension |
| How often | Required each time a 3 surchargeable events suspension notice is issued; there is no limit to the number of such suspensions |
Massachusetts has no point-reduction or ticket-dismissal course. When the RMV issues a notice for 3 surchargeable events within 2 years, the driver has 90 days to complete the mandatory National Safety Council course or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program; completion before the notice date means no suspension, and failure means suspension until the course is completed. The NSC notifies the RMV of completion. The RMV may also require a driver attitudinal retraining course (a 4-hour program for drivers 16 to 24), the State Courts Against Road Rage program, or drug or alcohol education to reinstate. The events remain on the record.
“You will have 90 days from the issue of the suspension notice to complete a mandatory National Safety Council (NSC) Course or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program before the suspension or revocation becomes active.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 speeding tickets | Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 20, the RMV suspends or revokes the permit, license or right to operate for 30 days after a finding of responsibility for 3 speeding tickets (including out-of-state offenses) in any 12-month period, calculated from the most recent finding; a further third ticket in a 12-month period triggers an additional suspension served concurrently. Not eligible for a hardship license. | Serve the 30-day suspension and pay the reinstatement fee; no RMV hearing is required to reinstate, though a hearing may be requested to challenge the accuracy of the record. | — |
| 3 surchargeable events | Under M.G.L. c. 175, § 113B, the RMV issues a suspension notice after 3 surchargeable events (including out-of-state violations) within a 2-year period. The driver has 90 days to complete the National Safety Council course or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program; if it is not completed by the notice date the license is suspended until it is. Another surchargeable event with 2 prior violations in 3 years produces a further such suspension, with no limit. | Complete the NSC course or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program (the NSC notifies the RMV); if suspended, the suspension lasts until completion. | — |
| 7 surchargeable events | Under M.G.L. c. 175, § 113B, the RMV suspends or revokes the license for 60 days after 7 surchargeable events or moving violations (including out-of-state) within a 3-year period, effective 30 days from the notice. Additional 7-event suspensions can follow and are served concurrently. Not eligible for a hardship license. | Serve the 60-day suspension and pay the reinstatement fee. | — |
| Habitual traffic offender | Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22F, the RMV revokes the license for 4 years after 3 major moving violations or any combination of 12 major and/or minor moving violations (including out-of-state) within a 5-year period; surchargeable accidents do not count. A hearing is available at an RMV Service Center that conducts suspension hearings, and a hardship license may be applied for. | Serve the 4-year revocation (or obtain a hardship license under the Habitual Traffic Offender criteria), then reinstate; c. 90, § 33(36) sets the § 22F reinstatement fee at $500. | $500 |
| Child support non-payment | Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22(g), the RMV suspends or revokes the permit, license, right to operate and/or registration indefinitely for failure to pay child support to the Department of Revenue Child Support Services Division. A notice gives 10 days to pay; the action continues until the obligation is satisfied. | Satisfy the child support obligation with the Department of Revenue Child Support Services Division; the suspension lasts until it is satisfied. | — |
| Court defaults (arrest warrant or criminal citation default) | If a person fails to appear for a criminal court hearing, the court issues an arrest warrant (or previously a criminal citation default) and the RMV revokes the license until the person appears at the court. The notice gives 30 days to obtain a release form or supplemental court abstract; a warrant and a default for the same incident create 2 indefinite suspensions. Under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22(h), the registrar may not issue, renew or reinstate a license while a default or arrest warrant is outstanding. | Resolve the matter with the court and present a release form, court abstract and/or warrant recall to the RMV. | — |
| State tax non-payment | Under M.G.L. c. 62C, § 47B, the RMV may suspend or revoke the permit, license, right to operate and/or registration indefinitely for failure to pay state taxes to the Department of Revenue Collections Bureau; the notice gives 10 days. | Pay the state taxes to the Department of Revenue Collections Bureau; the suspension lasts until they are paid. | — |
| Court-ordered suspensions and discretionary or public-safety suspensions | Under 540 CMR 9.02 and M.G.L. c. 90, § 27, the RMV suspends or revokes when a court mandates it, for the period the court decides, beginning 10 days after the notice. The RMV can also act without prior notice, usually at police request: an Immediate Threat revocation is indefinite when operation poses an immediate threat to public safety, with medical, improper-operation, fraud and general complaint types. | Meet with an RMV hearings officer; for court-ordered suspensions the length depends on the court's decision. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
3 speeding tickets
“the RMV will suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate for 30 days if you are found responsible for 3 speeding tickets (including out-of-state offenses) in any 12-month period.”
3 surchargeable events
“If you fail to complete the course before the date on the notice, the RMV will suspend or revoke your permit, license, or right to operate until you successfully complete the course”
7 surchargeable events
“This will be effective 30 days from the issue of a suspension notice. If another surchargeable event is added to your record, and 6 of the previous violations occurred within a 3-year period, you may incur more than one 7 surchargeable events suspension or revocation.”
Habitual traffic offender
“the RMV will suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate for 4 years if you have accumulated a total of 3 major moving violations or any combination of 12 major and/or minor moving violations (including out-of-state violations) within a 5-year period.”
Child support non-payment
“the RMV will suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate, and/or registration indefinitely if you fail to pay child support to the Department of Revenue Child Support Services Division”
Court defaults (arrest warrant or criminal citation default)
“In both cases, your license or right to operate will be revoked until you appear at the court to resolve your issue.”
State tax non-payment
“the RMV may suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license, or right to operate, and/or registration indefinitely if you fail to pay state taxes to the Department of Revenue Collections Bureau.”
Court-ordered suspensions and discretionary or public-safety suspensions
“the RMV will suspend or revoke your learner's permit, driver's license,or right to operate, and/or your vehicle registration if a court mandates it. The length of the suspension period depends on the decision of the court.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $100. M.G.L. c. 90, § 33(36) sets a $100 fee for reinstatement of a license suspended or revoked under any general or special law, $500 for suspensions and revocations under c. 90, §§ 22(a) and (e), 22F (habitual traffic offender), 23, 24, 24B, 24D, 24G, 24L and 34J and c. 266, § 28, and $700 or $1,200 for certain OUI revocations; out-of-state (§ 22(c)) reinstatements are charged the fee of the corresponding Massachusetts offense. The RMV states that fees range from $100 to $1,200 and vary by violation.
“The fee for reinstatement of any license or right to operate a motor vehicle which has been suspended or revoked under any general or special law shall be $100, but the fee for reinstatement for suspensions and revocation under subsection (c) of section 22 shall be commensurate with the fee”
Check the license status and case requirements
The RMV states that requirements vary by suspension type; the license status is checked online and shows what is needed for the specific case.
“To reinstate your license, you will need to: Check your license status, and see what requirements are necessary for your specific case Pay the reinstatement fee, which varies based on violation”
Complete any required class or program
The RMV may require the National Safety Council/Massachusetts driver retraining program, State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR), driver attitudinal retraining, or a drug or alcohol program before reinstatement.
“The RMV may require you to complete one or more of the following classes or programs in order to reinstate: National Safety Council (NSC)/Massachusetts driver retraining program State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) Driver attitudinal retraining”
Pay the reinstatement fee
Fees are set by M.G.L. c. 90, § 33 and range from $100 to $1,200; a driver who has met all requirements can pay online, or visit an RMV Service Center with a completed application and the fee.
“Reinstatement fees are determined by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 33 . They range from $100.00 to $1200.00.”
Take any required exam or road test
A suspension of 2 years or more requires a full exam (learner's permit exam and road test); a hearings officer may require testing for shorter suspensions, and junior operators and CDL holders have statutory testing requirements.
“If your suspension period is 2 years or more, you are required to take a full exam (learner's permit exam and road test) in order to reinstate your suspended/revoked learner's permit or driver's license.”
Official page: mass.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Massachusetts.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Hardship license (Hours 'H' restriction). The RMV grants hardship licenses only to Massachusetts license holders after a hearing at select RMV hearing sites, at the reasonable discretion of the RMV, adding an Hours ('H') restriction. Among non-OUI suspensions, the RMV publishes Habitual Traffic Offender Hardship License Criteria; the RMV states that the 3 speeding tickets, 3 surchargeable events and 7 surchargeable events suspensions are 'not eligible to apply for a hardship license' because they are mandatory by law.
“A habitual traffic offender suspension or revocation is eligible to apply for a hardship license if you meet certain requirements.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Massachusetts.
Questions about a suspended license in Massachusetts
- Does Massachusetts have a driver's license points system?
- Not for suspensions. The RMV suspends on counts of surchargeable events and speeding findings: 3 speeding tickets in 12 months (30 days), 3 surchargeable events in 2 years (retraining course or suspension), 7 surchargeable events in 3 years (60 days), and habitual traffic offender under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22F (4 years). The Safe Driver Insurance Plan assigns 2 to 5 surcharge points per incident for insurance rating only.
- What happens after 3 surchargeable events in Massachusetts?
- The RMV issues a suspension notice under M.G.L. c. 175, § 113B. The driver has 90 days to complete the National Safety Council course or Massachusetts Driver Retraining Program; if it is completed before the notice date no suspension takes effect, otherwise the license is suspended until the course is completed. The course is required each time such a notice is issued.
- How much is the Massachusetts license reinstatement fee for a non-OUI suspension?
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 33(36) sets $100 for reinstatement after a suspension or revocation under any general or special law, and $500 for suspensions under c. 90, §§ 22(a) and (e), 22F, 23, 24 and 34J among others. The RMV states fees range from $100 to $1,200 and vary by violation.
- Can a Massachusetts driver get a hardship license during a 7 surchargeable events suspension?
- No. The RMV states that the 3 speeding tickets, 3 surchargeable events and 7 surchargeable events suspensions are not eligible for a hardship license because they are mandatory by law. A habitual traffic offender revocation under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22F is eligible if the RMV's published criteria are met.
- What non-driving reasons suspend a Massachusetts license?
- The RMV's non-motor vehicle suspensions page lists indefinite suspension for failure to pay child support (M.G.L. c. 90, § 22(g)), revocation for an outstanding arrest warrant or court default until the court clears it, and suspension for unpaid state taxes (c. 62C, § 47B); a lapsed insurance policy suspends the vehicle registration under c. 90, § 34H.
Sources
- Mass.gov RMV: Suspensions from multiple offenses (Internet Archive capture 2026-05-17)
- Mass.gov RMV: Suspensions from multiple offenses (live URL, blocked to automated fetches)
- Mass.gov RMV: Non-motor vehicle suspensions (Internet Archive capture 2026-01-15)
- Mass.gov RMV: Non-motor vehicle suspensions (live URL)
- Mass.gov RMV: Court-ordered suspensions (Internet Archive capture 2026-07-18)
- Mass.gov RMV: Discretionary, mandatory, and public safety suspensions (Internet Archive capture 2026-05-08)
- Mass.gov RMV: Reinstate your driver's license (Internet Archive capture 2026-01-22)
- Mass.gov RMV: Reinstate your driver's license (live URL)
- Mass.gov Merit Rating Board: Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) (Internet Archive capture 2026-02-12)
- Mass.gov RMV: Request a driving record (live URL; Internet Archive capture 2026-08-21 read)
- Mass.gov RMV: Types of RMV suspension hearings (accumulation-of-offenses hearings)
- Mass.gov RMV: Apply for a hardship driver's license
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 33 Fees (reinstatement fee tiers) (Massachusetts Legislature)
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 22F Habitual traffic offender (Massachusetts Legislature)
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 22 Suspension or revocation of licenses (§ 22(h) outstanding warrants) (Massachusetts Legislature)
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 20 Penalties; third speeding conviction in twelve months (Massachusetts Legislature)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Massachusetts license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/massachusetts/suspended-license/