Massachusetts Driver's License FAQ

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Massachusetts Class D learner's permit. Applicants under 18 need the required written consent.

Yes, for applicants under 18 seeking a Class D or Class M license. The approved program includes 30 classroom hours, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 6 hours of observation, plus the required parent or guardian instruction.

No. TeenDrivingCourse is not an RMV-licensed Massachusetts driver education program and does not replace the required classroom, driving, observation, or parent/guardian components.

The Class D permit exam has 25 questions, and you need 18 correct answers to pass. Questions cover areas such as rules of the road, impaired driving, the Junior Operator Law, and sharing the road.

You generally need 40 additional hours of supervised driving certified by a parent or guardian. The requirement can be reduced to 30 hours if you complete an approved driver skills development program.

Applicants under 18 must generally hold the permit for at least six consecutive months and maintain a clean driving record for those six months before taking the road test.

Your supervising driver must be licensed, at least 21 years old, have at least one year of driving experience, and sit in the seat beside you.

You can generally qualify beginning at 16½ after completing the six-month permit period, maintaining a clean record, completing approved driver education, completing the supervised driving requirement, and passing the road test.

Generally, no. During the first six months, you cannot carry passengers under 18 other than siblings unless a qualified supervising driver is present.

Generally, you cannot drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Not if you are under 18. Massachusetts prohibits drivers under 18 from using any mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, including hands-free use, except for a permitted emergency call.

You must wait at least 14 days before taking another road test. The road-test fee is not refunded when you fail or are otherwise unprepared for the test.

Yes, for an under-18 student completing Massachusetts driver education, a parent or guardian must participate in two hours of instruction, unless they completed the parent class within the previous five years.

The Junior Operator restrictions apply until you turn 18. However, violations committed while you are a junior operator can result in mandatory suspensions and other penalties.

Current compulsory minimums include $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury to others, $30,000 for property damage, PIP of up to $8,000 per person per accident, and $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury caused by an uninsured automobile.