Massachusetts License Reinstatement Fee Schedule: Complete 2026 List
How Massachusetts Reinstatement Fees Work
Reinstatement fees in Massachusetts are governed by G.L. c. 90, § 33, and they operate on a principle that catches many drivers off guard: fees are charged per suspension event, not per offense. If your record shows three separate suspension events — say an OUI, a court default, and an out-of-state hold — you owe three separate reinstatement fees. The RMV's ATLAS system tracks each suspension independently, and paying one does nothing to resolve the others.
You cannot negotiate these fees down, set up a payment plan through the RMV, or waive them for financial hardship. They're statutory minimums, and every dollar must be paid before your license status changes.
Complete Fee Schedule by Suspension Type
| Suspension Type | Reinstatement Fee |
|---|---|
| OUI first offense | $500 |
| OUI second offense | $700 |
| OUI third or subsequent offense | $1,200 |
| Chemical test refusal (CTR) | $500 |
| Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) | $500 |
| Three speeding tickets (12-month window) | $100 |
| Three surchargeable events (2-year window) | $100 |
| Seven surchargeable events (3-year window) | $100 |
| Court default / failure to appear | $100 + $10 court removal fee |
| Out-of-state reciprocal hold | $100 |
| Child support delinquency | $100 |
| Unpaid state taxes | $100 |
| Insurance lapse (registration reinstatement) | $50 |
| Bad payment to RMV | $100 + $15 returned-check fee |
| Junior operator violation | $100 |
| Medical / immediate threat suspension | $100 |
Calculating Your Total Cost
The reinstatement fee is only part of the equation. A realistic total cost estimate for getting your license back includes:
For an OUI first offense (24D disposition):
- Reinstatement fee: $500
- 24D alcohol education program: typically $600–$800
- Attested driving record: $20
- Total estimated RMV/program costs: $1,120–$1,320
For an OUI second offense:
- Reinstatement fee: $700
- 14-day inpatient treatment program: $2,000–$5,000+ (varies by facility)
- Ignition interlock device: $75–$105/month for a minimum of 2 years ($1,800–$2,520)
- Attested driving record: $20
- Board of Appeal filing fee (if needed): $50
- Total estimated costs: $4,570–$8,290+
For a driver with stacked holds (OUI + court default + out-of-state):
- OUI reinstatement fee: $500–$1,200
- Court default reinstatement: $110
- Out-of-state hold reinstatement: $100
- Treatment programs: varies
- Court default recall fee at issuing court: $50
- Total reinstatement fees alone: $710–$1,410
These figures don't include legal representation costs, which typically run $1,500–$5,000 for standard reinstatement hearings if you choose to hire an attorney.
Free Download
Get the Massachusetts — License Reinstatement Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
The Payment Trap
The most expensive mistake isn't the fee itself — it's paying fees in the wrong order. Drivers frequently log into myRMV, pay their reinstatement fee, and assume they're done. Then they discover their license status hasn't changed because a child support hold, court default, or out-of-state suspension is still blocking the reinstatement.
The RMV will accept your payment even when other holds make the reinstatement impossible. The fee is not refunded when you discover the remaining blocks. You've paid for a reinstatement that can't take effect until you clear the upstream issues with other agencies — the Department of Revenue for child support, the issuing court for defaults, or the originating state for out-of-state holds.
Before paying any reinstatement fee, pull your full certified driving history to identify every active suspension event. Clear the non-RMV holds first (child support, courts, other states), then pay the RMV fees in a single transaction once everything else is resolved.
Where to Pay
Reinstatement fees can be paid online through myRMV (credit/debit card) or in person at an RMV Service Center (cash, check, money order, or card). Online payment is processed in batches, so your status may not update for several business days. In-person payment at a service center can be processed same-day for straightforward cases.
Our Massachusetts Driver's License Reinstatement Guide includes a fee calculator worksheet and the correct payment sequence for every combination of suspension types — so you know your total cost and the right order before you spend a dollar.
Get Your Free Massachusetts — License Reinstatement Checklist
Download the Massachusetts — License Reinstatement Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.