Points, tickets and licence suspension in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not use a points system like many states. Instead the RMV counts surchargeable events, which are moving violations and crashes where you were more than 50 percent at fault. Too many of them in a set period leads to retraining or suspension.
The same events also feed the Safe Driver Insurance Plan, so they can raise what you pay for car insurance.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can explain what a surchargeable event is.
- You can describe your choices and deadline after getting a civil citation.
- You can state the thresholds that trigger retraining and suspension for adult drivers.
- You can describe the tougher suspensions for Junior Operators.
- You can explain how out-of-state tickets affect a Massachusetts license.
What you need to know and understand
- Surchargeable events are moving violations and at-fault crashes; there are no points.
- You have 20 days to pay a civil citation or request a hearing, and a hearing request costs a $25 filing fee.
- Three surchargeable events in two years means you must finish an eight-hour Driver Retraining course within 90 days or be suspended.
- Seven surchargeable events in three years brings an automatic 60-day suspension.
- Three speeding violations in 12 months brings a 30-day suspension.
- Out-of-state violations count as if they happened in Massachusetts.
- Most reinstatement fees are $100, and serious offenses can cost up to $1,200.
Civil or criminal
Civil motor vehicle infractions, such as speeding or running a light, are settled with fines. Pay within 20 days or request a hearing. If you ignore a citation, you are found responsible, charged a late fee and eventually suspended. Paying the fine means you accept responsibility.
Criminal violations are more serious and include OUI, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash. You can be arrested, and a court sets the fine or jail term.
Suspension triggers for adults
- Three speeding violations in 12 months: 30 days.
- Three surchargeable events in two years: Driver Retraining course within 90 days, or suspension until it is done.
- Seven surchargeable events in three years: 60 days.
- Habitual traffic offender (three major violations, or twelve major or minor, in five years): four years.
- A suspension in another state: suspended here until it is resolved.
Junior Operator penalties
Drivers under 18 face mandatory suspensions on top of fines. For a JOL holder, a first speeding conviction means 90 days, a later one a year, and each requires a new permit exam, a Driver Attitudinal Retraining course and a new road test. A first drag racing conviction means one year and a later one three years. Breaking the passenger or night limit means 60 days, then 180 days, then one year. Parents are notified of every suspension.
A suspension during the JOL stage also delays a full license: you cannot get one until the suspension is served and you are 18. Our Junior Operator and SDIP surcharge guides explain these rules further.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring a ticket. After 20 days you are found responsible and face a late fee and suspension.
- Ignoring a ticket from another state. It counts here, and Massachusetts may apply a stricter penalty.
- Thinking the retraining course wipes your record. Events and surcharges stay on it.
- Driving after a suspension notice. Driving while suspended is a criminal offense.
Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Massachusetts
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, Chapter 3 (MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Massachusetts licensing agency.