The MA licensing action explained
After a OUI arrest in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (mass.gov) opens its own case against your driving privilege. It is administrative, it moves faster than the criminal case, and it is decided regardless of what the court later does with the charge.
Hearing requests, suspension notices, reinstatement fees and interlock paperwork.
Deadlines, forms and how the hearing is conducted.
How the MA agency runs the licence case
- The RMV imposes alcohol and drug suspensions for drivers over 21 separately from the criminal case.
- Different hearing types apply depending on the violation, as set out in the RMV's suspension hearing guidance.
- A hardship licence may be applied for through the RMV during a suspension.
- The Chapter 24D programme offers a first-offense alternative involving alcohol education in place of full licence loss.
- Reinstatement requires completing the requirements and paying the applicable RMV fees.
Massachusetts licence facts
Massachusetts OUI law at a glance
Sourced from the Massachusetts code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- OUI (Massachusetts)
- Controlling statute
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 24
- Implied consent
- M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f)
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- First-offense fine
- $500–$5,000
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 2 years
- Licence suspension
- 45 days
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
Most first offences resolve through a § 24D disposition with an alcohol education program.
Getting the licence back
- Serve the full suspension or hard-suspension period the agency sets.
- Complete any ordered assessment, education or treatment programme.
- Install an ignition interlock device if the court or agency orders one.
- Massachusetts requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before a licence is reinstated after a OUI conviction.
- Pay the reinstatement fee and any licence-issuance fee in full.
Fees and processing times change; confirm the current amounts on mass.gov before you travel to an office.
Massachusetts ZIP codes covered
These Massachusetts ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Massachusetts resources
Counties
Other Massachusetts official resources
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a first-offense suspension in Massachusetts?
- A first OUI offense generally carries a 45 days suspension in Massachusetts. Reinstatement conditions, fees and any interlock requirement are set by the licensing agency.