Massachusettes Alcohol Related Laws and Regulations

Where to Buy Alcohol
Rather than state-owned stores, retail liquor stores are the places that sell alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts. Beer and wine, on the other hand, can be purchased in convenience and grocery stores. Because alcohol is sold at off-premises licensed stores, it cannot be consumed on the premises from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Restaurants and bars are able to serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. If a person wishes to purchase alcohol on Sunday, they must wait until after noon.

Legal Age for Drinking/Serving Alcohol
At 21 years old, a person in Massachusetts may drink. At 18 years old, a person may work as a bartender or in a restaurant that serves alcohol. They may also handle, transport, and sell alcohol in a retail store.

Open Container Laws
If a bottle of alcohol has been previously opened, it must be transported in the trunk of a vehicle.

BAC Limits
If a driver has blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher, they are considered ‘per se intoxicated’ and no further evidence is needed for them to be charged with a DUI.

If a driver is under 21 years of age and has a BAC of .02 percent or above, they are also subjected to DUI charges.

If a driver has a BAC that is .20 percent above .08 percent, they may face more severe punishment.

Penalties
The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) may suspend the license of a driver who does not cooperate with them when they request a breathalyzer test. The first offense is one year, two years for the second, and eight years for the third.

Drivers suspected of driving under the influence are required to comply with breath, blood, or urine testing for intoxication due to ‘implied consent laws.’ If they will not comply, there may be refusal penalties of driver’s license suspension of up to one year.

Repeat offenders are usually subjected to temporary or permanent vehicle confiscation for DUI. The courts are also able to install an ignition interlock device and can require that the driver partakes in mandatory alcohol education and/or treatment.

After the third conviction, DUI is considered a felony.