The Massachusetts Point System Explained: How to Keep Your Driving Record Clean

When you get your Massachusetts driver's license, you also receive a clean driving record. Keeping it that way is one of your most important responsibilities. To encourage safe driving and identify high-risk drivers, Massachusetts uses a system based on surchargeable events, which works similarly to a point system.

Understanding this system from the moment you get your license is crucial. Every time you are found responsible for a moving violation or are involved in an at-fault accident, it is recorded as a surchargeable event on your driving record. Accumulating too many of these events will lead to mandatory driver retraining courses and the suspension of your license.

How the Massachusetts System Works: Surchargeable Events

Instead of "points," Massachusetts uses the term "surchargeable events." A surchargeable event is any of the following:

• A conviction for a moving violation.
• An at-fault accident where the damage is over $1,000.
• A conviction for a major violation like OUI.

These events are used by both the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to determine license suspensions and by insurance companies to set your rates under the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP).

The Consequences of Surchargeable Events

The RMV takes progressive action as you accumulate events.

• At 3 Surchargeable Events in 24 months: You will be required to complete a mandatory Driver Retraining Course. Failure to complete this course will result in a license suspension.

• At 7 Surchargeable Events in 3 years: Your license will be suspended for 60 days.

• Habitual Traffic Offender: If you accumulate 3 major moving violations or any combination of 12 major or minor moving violations within a 5-year period, you will be designated a Habitual Traffic Offender and your license will be suspended for 4 years.

Stricter Rules for Junior Operators (JOL Holders)

The consequences for new, young drivers are much harsher and happen much faster.

• First Speeding Ticket: A JOL holder's first conviction for speeding will result in a 90-day license suspension.
• First Passenger or Curfew Violation: A first conviction for violating the JOL restrictions results in a 60-day license suspension.
• Drag Racing: A first conviction for drag racing results in a 1-year license suspension.

These penalties are in addition to mandatory driver retraining courses and significant reinstatement fees.

Serious Violations

Some offenses carry their own, more severe penalties, regardless of your prior record. These include:

• Reckless driving
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• Operating Under the Influence (OUI): A conviction for OUI results in an immediate and lengthy license suspension.

How to Keep Your Record Clean

1. Drive Safely: The most effective method is to avoid getting tickets in the first place by obeying all traffic laws.
2. Understand JOL Laws: If you are a teen driver, strictly adhering to your curfew and passenger restrictions is not just a good idea—it's the law, and breaking it has harsh penalties.
3. Appeal Your Ticket: If you receive a ticket, you have the right to appeal the responsible finding. If your appeal is successful, it will not be recorded as a surchargeable event.
4. Attend a Driver Retraining Course: If you are required to attend a course, do so promptly to avoid a suspension.

Your driving record is a direct reflection of your choices behind the wheel. By understanding the Massachusetts surchargeable event system, you can make informed decisions that will keep your record clean and keep you safe on the road.