Suspensions & Hearings: Chapter 94C Drug Convictions

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles is required to revoke your learner?s permit, license, or right to operate for any illegal drug conviction as mandated by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C. Revocation periods vary between 1 and 5 years, depending on the violation:

Description Revocation Period
Dispensing controlled substances1 year
Research projects1 year
Prescription violations1 year
Practitioners violations1 year
Possession of hypodermic needle/syringe1 year
Possession of Class A substance with intent to distribute3 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of Class A substance with intent to distribute4 years
Possession of Class B substance with intent to distribute3 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of Class B substance with intent to distribute4 years
Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute3 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of cocaine with intent to distribute4 years
Possession of Class C substance with intent to distribute3 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of Class C substance with intent to distribute4 years
Possession of Class D substance with intent to distribute2 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of Class D substance with intent to distribute3 years
Possession of Class E substance with intent to distribute2 years
2nd & subsequent conviction of Class E substance with intent to distribute3 years
Trafficking, manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class A substance5 years
Trafficking, manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class B substance5 years
Trafficking, manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class C substance5 years
Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing Class A, B, or C substances to minors5 years
Sale of counterfeit substances1 year
Sale of drug paraphernalia1 year
Sale of drug paraphernalia to minors2 years
Possession with 1,000 feet of a school5 years
Inducing minor to sell controlled substances5 years
Using false registration number2 years
Uttering a false prescription2 years
Illegal possession of Class A substance1 year
Illegal possession of Class B substance1 year
Illegal possession of Class C substance1 year
Illegal possession of Class D substance1 year
Illegal possession of Class E substance1 year
Being present where heroin is kept1 year
Larceny of a controlled substance2 year
Possession of hypodermic syringe1 year
Conspiracy to violate controlled substance law1 year

NOTE: Effective January 2, 2009, possession of less than one ounce of Marijuana is no longer a criminal offense. The offense will be treated as a municipal ordinance violation and will not be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Any assessed fines must be paid to the city or town where the offense occurred.
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