NEW BEDFORD MASSACHUSETTS

Your Guide to New Bedford Massachusetts Online Driver Education and Licensing Procedures 

The process of applying for your New Bedford Massachusetts learner's permit or first New Bedford Massachusetts driver's license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn't have to be if you have the right information. The first thing you need to know is that New Bedford Massachusetts has a Graduated Driver License Program that is specially geared toward younger drivers like yourself. The program will allow you to safely gain driving experience in stages, before being granted full driving privileges.

New Bedford Massachusetts Instructional Permit and New Bedford Massachusetts Learner's Permit

The minimum age to apply for a New Bedford Massachusetts Learner's Permit is 16. This license allows you to  practice driving with another licensed driver who is 21. Make an appointment at your local New Bedford Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and bring the following:

• $30 written test fee
• Valid identification 
• The application with parent or guardian to sign it (if under 18) 
• Remember that original documents are required
  

At your local New Bedford Massachusetts RMV, you'll have to pass the required tests:

• A written test, consisting of 25 questions. You must answer 18 correctly in 20 minutes!
• You can study for the written test with the New Bedford Massachusetts Driver's Manual 
• A vision test

Your New Bedford Massachusetts Junior Operator License

In order to apply for your New Bedford Massachusetts Provisional driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few New Bedford Massachusetts State requirements before heading back to your local New Bedford Massachusetts RMV:

• You must be at least 16 and a half (or have held your New Bedford Massachusetts Learner's Permit for at least 6 months
• Complete a New Bedford Massachusetts approved driver education program which includes: 
• 6 hours observing other student drivers 
• 2 hours--of your parent or legal guardian attending driver education! 
• 12 hours of on the road behind the wheel training 
• In addition, you must complete 40 hours of supervised road time or: 
• only 30 hours if you've completed a driver skills development program

If you've completed all of these requirements, hurry down to your local New Bedford Massachusetts RMV, where the final obstacle will be the dreaded road exam. If you pass, then congratulations! You've just earned your New Bedford Massachusetts Junior Operator's driver's license! Although you've come a long way since you first started this process, you'll still have to drive with a few restrictions until you're eligible for your New Bedford Massachusetts Class D driver's license.

New Bedford Massachusetts Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your New Bedford Massachusetts Junior Operator's driver's license:

• For the first 6 months, no passengers under 18 who aren't family members unless you're accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older with 1 year driving experience
• If you're under 18, you cannot drive between 12AM and 5AM unless your parent or legal guardian is with you.

A full break-down of the penalties for violating these teen driver restrictions are available on the New Bedford Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle website.

New Bedford Massachusetts Auto Insurance New Bedford Massachusetts Financial Responsibility Laws

We know you're eager to get on the road, but here is where you learn about the full responsibilities of possessing a New Bedford Massachusetts drivers license. First of all, any vehicle registered in New Bedford Massachusetts must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is:

• $20,000 per person for bodily injury
• $5,000 for property damage 
• $8,000 for personal injury protection 
• $40,000 per accident for bodily injury

Maintaining financial responsibility for your vehicle is basic to being a good New Bedford Massachusetts driver. If you are found to be driving without New Bedford Massachusetts mandatory liability insurance, your New Bedford Massachusetts Learner's Permit or New Bedford Massachusetts Junior Operator's license could be suspended and you could face a stiff fine.

New Bedford Massachusetts Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

Finally, as a new New Bedford Massachusetts driver, safety is of paramount importance. Thus, it's important for you to learn the New Bedford Massachusetts drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a New Bedford Massachusetts DUI (with a Blood Alcohol Level of at least 0.08), you'll face the following penalties:

• Jail sentence up to 30 months
• Additional $50 DUI Victim Trust Fund 
• License suspension of 1 year 
• $250 fine 
• A Court Assigned Treatment Program

Further New Bedford Massachusetts DUI convictions can result in increased jail time, fines, community service, and suspension of your license or even New Bedford Massachusetts license revocation. 

Currently, there is no law prohibiting New Bedford Massachusetts teen drivers from using cell phones while driving. But we strongly suggest that you keep cell phone use while driving to an absolute minimum. Studies repeatedly show that a distracted driver is a dangerous one!

New Bedford Massachusetts Online Driver Education

As we said above, New Bedford Massachusetts teen drivers are required to enroll in a driver education program which includes:

• 6 hours observing other student drivers
• 2 hours--of your parent or legal guardian attending driver education! 
• 12 hours of on the road behind the wheel training
  

For information about approved New Bedford Massachusetts online driver education courses, go here.