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

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 24B (2026)

Stealing, forging or other falsification of learner's permit, operator's license, disability placard certificate of registration or inspection sticker; use or possession; penalties; suspension and reinstatement of license or right to operate motor vehicle

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 24B. Whoever falsely makes, steals, alters, forges or counterfeits or procures or assists another to falsely make, steal, alter, forge or counterfeit a learner's permit, a license to operate motor vehicles, an identification card issued under section eight E, a special parking identification disability placard, a certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer, or an inspection sticker, or whoever forges or without authority uses the signature, facsimile of the signature, or validating signature stamp of the registrar or deputy registrar upon a genuine, stolen or falsely made, altered, forged or counterfeited learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer or inspection sticker, or whoever has in his possession, or utters, publishes as true or in any way makes use of a falsely made, stolen, altered, forged or counterfeited learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, an identification card issued under section eight E, a special parking identification disability placard, certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer or inspection sticker, and whoever has in his possession, or utters, publishes as true, or in any way makes use of a falsely made, stolen, altered, forged or counterfeited learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, certificate of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer or inspection sticker, and whoever has in his possession, or utters, publishes as true, or in any way makes use of a falsely made, stolen, altered, forged or counterfeited signature, facsimile of the signature or validating signature stamp of the registrar or deputy registrar, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in jail or house of correction for not more than two years.

Whoever falsely makes, steals, forges or counterfeits a learner's permit, a license to operate motor vehicles, a special parking identification placard under section 2 or an identification card issued under section 8E with the intent to distribute such learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, a special parking identification placard under said section 2 or identification card shall be punished as follows: (i) for acts involving any combination of 5 or fewer learner's permits, licenses to operate, special parking identification placards under said section 2 or identification cards, by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 1 year, or both such fine and imprisonment; (ii) for acts involving 6 to 10 such documents, by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment; (iii) for acts involving more than 10 such documents, by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

Whoever falsely impersonates the person named in an application for a license or learner's permit to operate motor vehicles or a special parking identification placard under section 2, or procures or assists another to falsely impersonate the person named in such an application whether of himself or another, or uses a name other than his own to falsely obtain such a license, permit or placard or whoever has in his possession, or utters, publishes as true, or in any way makes use of a license or learner's permit to operate motor vehicles or a special parking identification placard under section 2 that was obtained in such a manner shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two years.

A conviction of a violation of this section shall be reported forthwith by the court or magistrate to the registrar who shall suspend immediately the license or right to operate of the person so convicted, and no appeal, motion for new trial or exceptions shall operate to stay the suspension of the license or right to operate. The registrar after having suspended the license or right to operate in accordance with this paragraph shall not terminate such suspension nor reinstate the right to operate to such person until one year after the date of suspension following said conviction; provided, however, that if the prosecution against such person has terminated in his favor, the registrar shall forthwith reinstate his license or right to operate.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1967–2023 · leading case: United States v. Mensah, 737 F.3d 789 (1st Cir. 2013).
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United States v. Mensah, 737 F.3d 789 (1st Cir. 2013). “See Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 24B. Officers obtained a warrant charging him-with violating section 24B and, a month later, arrested him in his car a few blocks from his home.”
Commonwealth v. Apalakis, 486 N.E.2d 669 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 2× “Three indictments also were returned for violation of G. L. c. 90, § 24B (1984 ed.), which procribes forgery of licenses to operate motor vehicles.”
Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 924 N.E.2d 709 (Mass. 2010). “The defendant was also charged with failure to identify himself to police, in violation of G.”
Commonwealth v. Penta, 225 N.E.2d 58 (Mass. 1967). · cites it 2× “” G. L. c. 90, § 24B, as amended. Before trial the defendant argued motions to suppress evidence all of which were denied.”
Crooker v. Superintendent, Massachusetts Corr. Inst., 474 N.E.2d 556 (Mass. App. Ct. 1985). · cites it 3× “See G. L. c. 90, § 24B. Each sentence was for five years at M.”
Commonwealth v. Castillo, 845 N.E.2d 403 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “269, § 10[m]); and (4) possession of a false motor vehicle document (G. L. c. 90, § 24B). On May 6, 2003, the defendant filed a motion to suppress evidence.”
Commonwealth v. Kirschner, 859 N.E.2d 433 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “Kirschner and the codefendants were charged with making, procuring, or assisting another to make a counterfeit driver’s license (G. L. c. 90, § 24B), and with conspiracy to make or procure a counterfeit driver’s license (G.”
Commonwealth v. Murphy, 797 N.E.2d 394 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “267, § 5); and falsifying or stealing a driver’s license (G. L. c. 90, § 24B). Two counts of larceny over $250 subsequently were dismissed by the Commonwealth.”
Commonwealth v. Rivas, 929 N.E.2d 328 (Mass. App. Ct. 2010). “94C, § 32J), and possession of a false driver’s license (G. L. c. 90, § 24B). The Commonwealth entered a nolle prosequi on the latter two charges.”
Commonwealth v. O'BRIEN, 573 N.E.2d 986 (Mass. App. Ct. 1991). “94C, § 32A) and false impersonation to obtain a driver’s license (G. L. c. 90, § 24B). The defendant moved to suppress the evidence.”
Commonwealth v. Giavazzi, 802 N.E.2d 589 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004). “ppeal, he claims that (1) the trial judge erred in not allowing his motion for a required finding of not guilty; (2) the prosecutor’s closing argument infringed on his constitutional right to remain silent and misstated the law on identity fraud; and (3) the Commonwealth’s…”
Commonwealth v. Barrett, 458 N.E.2d 348 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984). “266, § 60, and G. L. c. 90, § 24B. The only issue argued upon this appeal from his convictions relates to the denial of his motion to suppress evidence taken from him as, or shortly before, he was arrested.”
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