Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XIV Chapter 90
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22 (2026)

Suspension or revocation of certificate of registration or license; notice

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 22. (a) The registrar may suspend or revoke without a hearing any certificate of registration or any license issued under this chapter whenever the holder thereof has committed a violation of the motor vehicle laws of a nature which would give the registrar reason to believe that continuing operation by such holder is and will be so seriously improper as to constitute an immediate threat to the public safety. Upon such suspension or revocation, the registrar shall forthwith send written notice thereof to the licensee or registrant, as the case may be. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the violation. The registrar may order the license of such operator or the registration certificate and number plates to be delivered to him; and neither the certificate of registration nor the license shall be reissued unless, upon examination or investigation, or after a hearing, the registrar determines that the operator shall again be permitted to operate. Said operator shall be entitled to a hearing within thirty days of the suspension or revocation, and the registrar shall so advise him in his notice of suspension or revocation. The registrar, under the same conditions and for the same cause, may also suspend the right of any person to operate motor vehicles in the commonwealth under section ten until he shall have received a license from the registrar or until his right to operate has been restored by the registrar.

(b) The registrar may, after due hearing, suspend or revoke any certificate of registration or any license issued under this chapter, when he has reason to believe the holder thereof is an incompetent person to operate motor vehicles, or is operating a motor vehicle improperly. The registrar may also, after due hearing, suspend or revoke any certificate of registration issued under this chapter, when a certificate of title issued by him under chapter ninety D has been suspended or revoked. At least fourteen days prior to any such suspension or revocation, the registrar shall notify the operator in writing of his intention to suspend or revoke his license as of a specified date. Said notice shall specify the reasons for the intended suspension or revocation and shall inform the operator of his right to request in writing a hearing within fourteen days after the date of such notice on the question of whether there is just cause for such suspension or revocation. If he so requests, the registrar shall grant him a hearing, shall notify him of the date of such hearing and he shall not suspend or revoke the license or registration prior to the completion of the hearing. If, after such hearing, the registrar determines that there is just cause for suspension or revocation, he may suspend or revoke the license but, except as provided by law, or except when he finds that the operator is physically or mentally incapable of operating a motor vehicle, no suspension under this subsection shall be for a period in excess of thirty days. Failure on the part of the operator to request a hearing as aforesaid shall constitute a waiver of his right to a hearing and the registrar may thereafter suspend or revoke the license or certificate on the date originally specified.

(c) If the registrar receives official notice, in any form which the registrar deems appropriate, including electronic transmissions, that a resident of the commonwealth or any person licensed to operate a motor vehicle under the provisions of this chapter has been convicted in another state, country or jurisdiction of a motor vehicle violation, the registrar shall give the same effect to said conviction for the purposes of suspension, revocation, limitation or reinstatement of the right to operate a motor vehicle, as if said violation had occurred in the commonwealth.

As used in this section ''motor vehicle violation'' shall mean a violation of law, regulation, by-law, or ordinance, except a violation related to parking, the nature of which would have been reported to the registrar pursuant to chapters eighty-nine, ninety, ninety C, or one hundred and seventy-five, if said violation had occurred in the commonwealth.

If the registrar receives official notice, in any form which the registrar deems appropriate, including electronic transmissions, that a resident of the commonwealth, or any person licensed to operate a motor vehicle under the provisions of chapter ninety, or any applicant therefor has had a license or right to operate suspended or revoked in another state, country or jurisdiction, the registrar shall not issue a license to said person, and if a license has already been issued the registrar shall immediately revoke said license, without a prior hearing. However, if said license or right to operate is subsequently reinstated by such other state, country or jurisdiction, the person may apply to the registrar for reinstatement of said license in the commonwealth.

(d) Notice to any person whose license or registration certificate or right to operate is suspended or revoked under this section or notice to any person of intention to revoke or suspend his license or registration certificate under this section shall be in writing, shall be mailed by the registrar or any person authorized by him to the last address as appearing on the registrar's records or to his last and usual place of abode and a certificate of the registrar that such notice has been mailed in accordance with this section shall be deemed prima facie evidence and shall be admissible in any court of the commonwealth as to the facts contained therein.

If during the period of any such suspension or revocation and prior to its termination by the registrar a new or duplicate learner's permit, license or certificate of registration, or any renewal thereof, is issued, such learner's permit, license or certificate of registration shall be void and of no effect.

(e) The registrar may, suspend the license or right to operate and the certificate of registrations of any person for up to six months, whenever the registrar, after a hearing, has reason to believe that said person has violated the provisions of section thirty-four B of chapter one hundred and thirty-eight.

Upon a conviction of said section thirty-four B, the court shall notify the registrar, who shall immediately revoke the license, right to operate or registration for one year.

[There is no paragraph (f).]

(g) Upon receipt of notice, as specified by the registrar, from the department of revenue that a final determination of child support delinquency to suspend or prohibit issuance or renewal of a license has been issued against a resident of the commonwealth or an individual licensed to operate a motor vehicle under this chapter, after a hearing or an opportunity therefor pursuant to section 16 of chapter 119A, the registrar, without opportunity for further hearing, shall suspend or prohibit issuance or renewal of such license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration held by such individual and forward any notice required by paragraph (d) to such individual. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the opportunity for a hearing provided by the department of revenue pursuant to section 16 of chapter 119A shall constitute the exclusive administrative remedy to contest the existence of a child support arrearage which is the basis for action by the department of revenue to effect the suspension, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration. The registrar shall reinstate, issue or renew such license, learner's permit or right to operate a motor vehicle or allow the registration of a motor vehicle if the department of revenue provides to the registrar a notice, as specified by the registrar, stating that the resident or other individual is in compliance with a subpoena, warrant, summons or judgment or order for child support, including any agreement with or regulation issued by the department of revenue governing payment of arrears or upon order by the reviewing court, if the individual is otherwise entitled thereto. Notices between the department of revenue and the registrar under this subsection may be made in any form, including electronic transmission. Upon exhaustion of administrative remedies provided in section 16 of chapter 119A, an individual aggrieved by a final determination of the department of revenue, as adopted or acted upon by the registrar, may seek judicial review of the final determination issued by the department of revenue in the court where the child support order was issued, which has jurisdiction to register the order, or which issued the subpoena, warrant or summons, within 45 days of the date of the registrar's notice to such individual that his license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration is subject to suspension, nonissuance or nonrenewal; provided, however, that a request for judicial review shall be by action against the department of revenue and not the registrar and shall be accompanied by a copy of the department of revenue's final determination. Such review shall constitute the exclusive remedy for individuals aggrieved by a final determination as adopted or acted upon by the registrar under section 16 of chapter 119A; provided, however, that such review shall not limit an individual's appellate remedies. The provisions of section 28 shall not apply.

(h) The registrar shall not issue, renew or reinstate a license to operate of any person against whom a default or arrest warrant issued by any court in the commonwealth is outstanding. Evidence of the outstanding warrant appearing in the warrant management system, established by section twenty-three A of chapter two hundred and seventy-six, shall be sufficient grounds for such action by the registrar.

[There is no paragraph (i).]

(j) Upon receipt of notice, as specified by the registrar, from the sex offender registry board, that a sex offender has failed to comply with the registration requirements of sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, of chapter 6, the registrar shall suspend or prohibit issuance or renewal of a license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration held by such sex offender. The sex offender shall receive notice that the registrar shall suspend or prohibit renewal of such a license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration in 90 days due to his failure to comply with the registration requirements of said sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, of said chapter 6, unless the sex offender furnishes proof to the registrar that he has complied with his sex offender registration requirements. A sex offender whose license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration has been suspended due to his failure to comply with the registration requirements of said sections 178C to 178P, inclusive of said chapter 6 may petition for reinstatement of his license, learner's permit, right to operate a motor vehicle or certificate of motor vehicle registration at any time if he produces sufficient proof, as determined by the registrar, that he is in compliance with his sex offender registration requirements. The registrar shall promulgate regulations to implement this subsection, which shall include the opportunity for a hearing to challenge the lack of sex offender registration compliance. If a hearing is requested, the sex offender registry board shall be notified of the time, place, date of hearing and the identity of the sex offender. An affidavit from the sex offender registry board may be introduced as prima facie evidence of the lack of sex offender registration compliance and members or employees of the sex offender registry board need not attend any hearings held under this subsection.

The registrar shall reinstate, issue or renew such license, learner's permit or right to operate a motor vehicle or the registration of a motor vehicle if the sex offender registry board provides to the registrar a notice, as specified by the registrar, stating that the sex offender is in compliance with the registration requirements of said sections 178C to 178P, inclusive, of said chapter 6 and such sex offender shall be assessed a $100 sex offender registry reinstatement fee which shall be transmitted by the registrar to the treasurer for deposit into the general fund. Notices between the sex offender registry board and the registrar under this subsection may be made in any form, including electronic transmission.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 50 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1929–2024 · leading case: Powers v. Commonwealth, 694 N.E.2d 324 (Mass. 1998).
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Powers v. Commonwealth, 694 N.E.2d 324 (Mass. 1998). · cites it 9× “On July 26, 1995, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (registrar) notified the defendant that his driver’s license was indefinitely revoked *536 pursuant to G. L. c. 90, § 22 (a), because the accident rendered him an immediate threat to public safety.”
Dowling v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 682 N.E.2d 842 (Mass. 1997). · cites it 7× “A judge in that court concluded that the registrar’s suspension of the plaintiff’s driver’s license for one year was contrary to G. L. c. 90, § 22 (c). He reversed the board’s decision and ordered that the suspension not exceed ninety days.”
Rushworth v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 596 N.E.2d 340 (Mass. 1992). · cites it 4× “At issue is the validity of G. L. c. 90, § 22 (f), 2 which requires the Registrar of Motor Vehicles automatically to suspend the driver’s license or right to operate of a person convicted of violating G.”
Commonwealth v. Parenteau, 948 N.E.2d 883 (Mass. 2011). · cites it 3× “In the present case, here on direct appellate review, we consider whether a District Court judge erred by admitting in evidence, pursuant to G. L. c. 90, § 22 (d), 1 a certificate from the registry of motor vehicles (registry) attesting to the fact that a notice of license…”
Bresten v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 921 N.E.2d 134 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). · cites it 5× “44, 62 (1988) (holding that board’s interpretation of G. L. c. 90, § 22[c], third par., requiring one-year license suspension, consistent with like suspension in New Hampshire, was reasonable, notwithstanding that suspension of license for equivalent motor vehicle offense in…”
DiGregorio v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 942 N.E.2d 998 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 5× “The registrar also has broad authority to suspend or revoke licenses on a case-by-case basis “whenever the holder thereof has committed a violation of the motor vehicle laws of a nature which would give the registrar reason to believe that continuing operation by such holder is…”
Commonwealth v. Royal, 89 Mass. App. Ct. 168 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). “*170 The four documents were certified by the registrar of motor vehicles (registrar) under G. L. c. 90, § 22, as being “true copy(s) of the driving history and notice(s) of suspension/revocation as appearing in the registrar’s records.”
Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 339 N.E.2d 731 (Mass. 1975). · cites it 3× “As the procedure looking to license suspension requires mailing of notices to the operator (see G. L. c. 90, § 22, and discussion below), the Commonwealth’s position is, in essence, that the notices need only have been properly mailed and evidence of nonreceipt should be…”
Luk v. Commonwealth, 658 N.E.2d 664 (Mass. 1995). “Drivers’ licenses may be revoked for a variety of noncriminal offenses including misuse of license and identification cards, nonsatisfaction of judgments, incompetency, failure to pay child support, and “whenever the holder [of the license] has committed a violation of the motor…”
Commonwealth v. Wilson, 90 Mass. App. Ct. 166 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016). · cites it 2× “3 When the registrar suspends a license, the registrar follows the notice procedures set out in G. L. c. 90, § 22, culminating in a notice directing the driver to surrender his license to the registry.”
Henry v. Edmisten, 340 S.E.2d 720 (N.C. 1986). “Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 90, § 22 (a) (West Supp.”
Almeida v. Lucey, 372 F. Supp. 109 (D. Mass. 1974). · cites it 2× “If the registrar is of the opinion that there is necessity for immediate action, he can proceed under M.G.L. c. 90, § 22 (1973 Supp.) allowing suspension of a license when there is "reason to believe that continuing operation by such holder is and will be so seriously improper…”
Show all 50 citing cases →
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(1) — 1 case
Perry v. Massachusetts Dep't of Motor Vehs., 26 Mass. L. Rptr. 521 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2010).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(a) — 7 cases
Commonwealth v. a Juv., 409 N.E.2d 197 (Mass. App. Ct. 1980).
Andonian v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 558 N.E.2d 1005 (Mass. App. Ct. 1990).
Ledonne v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 30 Mass. L. Rptr. 37 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2012).
Curtin v. Registry of Motor Vehs., 21 Mass. L. Rptr. 484 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2006).
Burke v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 32 Mass. L. Rptr. 464 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2014).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(b) — 1 case
Ledonne v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 30 Mass. L. Rptr. 37 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2012).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(c) — 10 cases
Bresten v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 921 N.E.2d 134 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). “44, 62 (1988) (holding that board’s interpretation of G. L. c. 90, § 22[c], third par., requiring one-year license suspension, consistent with like suspension in New Hampshire, was reasonable, notwithstanding that suspension of license for equivalent motor vehicle offense in…”
DiGregorio v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 942 N.E.2d 998 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). “The registrar also has broad authority to suspend or revoke licenses on a case-by-case basis “whenever the holder thereof has committed a violation of the motor vehicle laws of a nature which would give the registrar reason to believe that continuing operation by such holder is…”
Callahan v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Polices & Bonds, 57 N.E.3d 1059 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016).
Scheffler v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 995 N.E.2d 816 (Mass. App. Ct. 2013).
Young v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Policies & Bonds, 1 Mass. L. Rptr. 581 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1993).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(e) — 1 case
Restivo v. Bd. of Appeal on Motor Veh. Liab. Policies & Bonds, 29 Mass. L. Rptr. 273 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2011).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(f) — 3 cases
Perry v. Massachusetts Dep't of Motor Vehs., 26 Mass. L. Rptr. 521 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2010).
Reid v. Registry of Motor Vehs., 26 Mass. L. Rptr. 524 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2010).
Wheeler v. Town of Franklin, 15 Mass. L. Rptr. 748 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003).
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 22(h) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 339 N.E.2d 731 (Mass. 1975). “As the procedure looking to license suspension requires mailing of notices to the operator (see G. L. c. 90, § 22, and discussion below), the Commonwealth’s position is, in essence, that the notices need only have been properly mailed and evidence of nonreceipt should be…”
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