Massachusetts

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Massachusetts. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .20 90 days Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    7 yrs or under and under 57" tall

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-12 yrs or 57" or taller

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    5 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    75 and over: renewal in person only

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 1967.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Secondary

    Who Is Covered?

    13 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    No state law or programs

    Red Light Cameras

    No state law or programs

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime driving: 18 years

    Driving with passengers: 17 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    16 6 40; 30 with advanced driver training

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 / 6 12:30 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement 12:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. - 5 a.m.) First 6 months: no passengers under 18