If you are arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Massachusetts, you will be asked to submit to a chemical test / breath test to determine your blood alcohol level. Although it is not a crime to refuse the breathalyzer in Massachusetts, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will suspend your driver’s license or driving privileges in the state.
The length of the suspension depends on whether you have any prior OUI/DUI convictions or CWOFs. Below is a chart showing the accompanying license suspension periods.
| Number of Prior OUIs | Suspension Period |
|---|---|
| None | 180 days |
| One | 3 Years |
| Two | 5 Years |
| Three or more | Lifetime |
In Massachusetts, drivers under the age of 21 who refuse the chemical test / breathalyzer after an OUI/DUI arrest will have their driver’s license or learner’s permit suspended for 3 years. The RMV will also impose an additional Youth Alcohol Program (YAP) suspension that begins upon the completion of the refusal suspension.
If you are under the age of 21 and arrested for OUI/DUI in Massachusetts, your driver’s license or learner’s permit will be suspended for thirty (30) days for failing the breathalyzer / breath test. The RMV will also impose the YAP suspension, which begins at the end of the 30-day suspension for the failed breath test.
Once the suspension period expires or the court issues an order for reinstatement after a dismissal or not guilty finding on the OUI/DUI charges, you must appear before a RMV Hearings Officer to have your license or driving privileges reinstated.
NOTE: If you subsequently receive a CWOF or guilty finding on the OUI/DUI charges, an additional license suspension is imposed. The period of the suspension increases with each subsequent conviction or CWOF.
| Age: | Suspension: | Reduction for 24D Program: |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 years old | 1 year | 6 months |
| 18-20 years old | 6 months | 6 months. |
In my opinion, you should never take the breathalyzer in Massachusetts unless you have not consumed any alcohol. While there are a number of factors to consider, two of the main reasons why I do not think you should take the breathalyzer are: (1) it is not a crime to refuse the breath test in MA, and (2) you can still be convicted / found guilty of OUI/DUI in Massachusetts if you register below the legal limit of .08% pursuant to a theory of “impairment.”
If you are arrested for OUI/DUI in Massachusetts and refuse the breathalyzer, your MA driver’s license will be suspended or your driving privileges in the Commonwealth will be suspended if you have an out-of-state driver’s license. The length of the suspension depends on whether you have any prior guilty findings or CWOFs for OUI/DUI.
Additionally, the police will do the following:
Yes, you can appeal your license suspension for a breath test / chemical test refusal in Massachusetts. To do so, you must appear at the Boston (Haymarket) RMV location for a hearing within 15 days of the chemical test refusal.
There are only 3 issues that can be challenged during the appeal hearing:
For additional information related to drug and alcohol suspensions, see the below links:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/alcohol-and-drug-suspensions-for-over-21-years-of-age
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/alcohol-and-drug-suspensions-for-under-21-years-of-age
