Overview
Junior operators are drivers between the age of 16½ and 18. As a junior operator, you are subject to all driver's license suspensions. The Junior Operator Law and the Safe Driver Law impose penalties for certain violations issued to junior operators. The purpose of the Junior Operator Law is to reduce teen driver crash rates and deaths. You must serve any imposed suspension to completion even if you reach the age of 18 before the period ends. All junior operator suspensions are mandatory suspensions by law. Junior operators are not eligible for hardship licenses.
Reinstatement requirements vary based between a Junior Operator's License (JOL) and a learner's permit.
Depending on the violation, junior operators may need to:
- Complete a Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course
- Complete the State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) program
- Pay a reinstatement fee, ranging from $100 - $1,200
- Take a full exam which includes both the learner's permit exam and road test
Additional Resources
Learner's permit holders
A Junior Operator's permit is subject to increased penalties for violation of certain laws and license restrictions. If you accept responsibility for, or are found responsible for, any of the restrictions or violations below prior to your 18th birthday, the RMV will suspend or revoke your permit. To reinstate your permit, you will need to serve the suspension period and fulfill any other reinstatement requirements.
Convictions, suspension periods, and reinstatement requirements
Suspension periods and reinstatement requirements vary depending on the violation and number of convictions you earn while you have a learner's permit. The following table lists the suspension periods and reinstatement requirements for permit holders. All fees are subject to change.
Unaccompanied by licensed driver
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 8B
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement - Reapply for Permit | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Reapply for Permit | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement - Reapply for Permit |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
Drag-racing
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 17B
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Reapply for Permit | 3 year suspension - $1000 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Reapply for Permit | 3 year suspension - $1000 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Reapply for Permit |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
* Junior Operators are only required to complete the SCARR course one time
Time restriction violation: 12am-5am
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Sections 10 and 8B
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Reapply for Permit | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
Speeding
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Sections 17, 17A, and 18
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 90 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
Conviction for the use of a mobile electronic device (text or phone)
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 8M
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Reapply for Permit - $100 Fine | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - $250 Fine | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - $500 Fine |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
Negligent operation and injury from mobile phone use
Governing Law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 24(2)(a)
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|---|---|
| $500 reinstatement fee | $500 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit | $500 reinstatement fee - Reapply for Permit |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
|---|
Additional suspension for Junior Operators under the age of 18
In addition to any other penalty required by the Massachusetts General Laws specific to each violation, MGL Chapter 90 Section 24P(b) requires that any junior operator under the age of 18 convicted of the following violations must receive a 180-day suspension for a first offense, and a one-year suspension for any additional ones:
- Operating to endanger
- Reckless/Negligent operation
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Operating a motor vehicle on a bet or wager, or to set a record
This is in addition to any other suspension required by law.
Driver's license holders
A JOL is subject to increased penalties for violation of certain laws and driver's license restrictions. If you accept responsibility for, or are found responsible for, any of the below restrictions or violations issued before your 18th birthday, the RMV will suspend or revoke your JOL. If you would like to reinstate your JOL, you will need to serve the suspension period and fulfill any other reinstatement requirements.
Convictions, suspension periods, and reinstatement requirements
Suspension periods and reinstatement requirements vary by the type of violation and number of convictions you earn while holding a JOL. The following tables list the suspension periods and reinstatement requirements for JOL holders. Any suspension or revocation that occurs during the 6 month passenger restriction period will extend the length of the restriction period. A junior operator under the age of 18 convicted of a passenger restriction violation must serve this suspension or revocation, even if you have since turned 18.
Passenger restriction
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 8 & 10
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Time restriction violation: 12:30am-5am
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 8 & 10
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Speeding
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 17, 17A & 18
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 90 day suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Learner's Permit and Road Test | 1 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* -Learner's Permit and Road Test | 1 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Drag-racing
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 17B
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Learner's Permit and Road Test | 3 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Learner's Permit and Road Test | 3 year suspension - $500 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course & SCARR* - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Operating to endanger/recklessly or negligent
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 24
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 180 day suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee | 1 year suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee - Learner's Permit and Road Test | 1 year suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Conviction for the use of a mobile electronic device (text or phone)
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 8M
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 60 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course - Reapply for Permit - $100 Fine | 180 day suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - $250 Fine | 1 year suspension - $100 reinstatement fee - $500 Fine |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Negligent operation and injury from mobile phone use
Governing law: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 24(2)(a)
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|---|---|
| 180 day suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee | 1 year suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee - Learner's Permit and Road Test | 1 year suspension - $500 Reinstatement fee - Learner's Permit and Road Test |
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | Subsequent Offense |
|---|
Additional suspension for Junior Operators under the age of 18
In addition to any other penalty required by the Massachusetts General Laws specific to each violation, MGL Chapter 90 Section 24P(b) requires that any junior operator under the age of 18 convicted of the following violations must receive a 180-day suspension for a first offense, and a one-year suspension for any additional ones:
- Operating to endanger
- Reckless/Negligent operation
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
This is in addition to any other suspension required by law. The additional suspension only applies to a junior operator in cases where you did not receive an additional suspension for failing or refusing a breath test.
* Junior operators are only required to complete the SCARR course one time.