1. Obtaining Your License
Chapter 1

2. What do you know? How old must you be to drive in MA? 16
How old must you be to get a driver’s license in MA?
16 ½
What kind of license do standard drivers receive Class A, B, C or D?
Class D License
What documents do you need to show in order to apply for a permit, license or MA ID card?
Proof of date of birth, proof of residence, proof of signature and social security card.
How many questions do you need to answer correctly to pass your Learner Permit Exam?
18 out of 25
How much time do you have to complete the learner permit test?
25 minutes

3. Foreign Driver’s Licenses
If you hold a driver’s license from any country other than the United States, a U.S. Territory, Canada, or Mexico, you must take both the learner’s permit exam and road test.
While you may drive in the United States with your valid foreign license from one of the countries listed in Appendix A for up to one year from the date you entered the country as a visitor, you must still apply for a Massachusetts license when you establish residency in the Commonwealth. (Most countries from which refugees arrive are not included in Appendix A.) New residents of MA should get a MA license within six months.
Many motor vehicle agencies around the country, including Massachusetts, are reviewing their rules for converting licenses from other countries, so there may be changes in this area. If you have a question about converting a foreign license, you should call the RMV Phone Center.

4. List of Fees Learner’s Permit Application $30
License Application and Road Test $35
Class D 5-year Driver’s License $50
Class D Driver’s License Renewals $50
Other fees
Vehicle Registration (2-year) $60
Annual Vehicle Inspection $35
MA ID $25

5. Permit Test Languages
A paper version of the Class D learner’s permit exam is offered in the following foreign languages:
1.  Albanian
2.  Arabic
3.  Armenian
4.  Chinese
5.  Czech
6.  Farsi (Iranian)
7.  Finnish
8.  French
9.  German
10. Greek
11. Hebrew
12. Hindi
13. Hungarian
14. Italian
15. Japanese
16. Khmer
17. Korean
18. Lao
19. Polish
20. Portuguese
21. Romanian
22. Russian
23. Spanish
24. Turkish
25. Urdu
26. Vietnamese

6. Alternate Permit Exams
Audio exams are available. This feature allows you to hear an automated voice read the test questions and possible answers through headphones connected to the ATS. Audio exams are available in both English and Spanish for Class D and M exams. The time limit is 45 minutes. Anyone can choose to take an audio exam. The exam does not need to be scheduled in advance. If you want to use the audio feature for your exam, you should bring a set of headphones with you to the RMV branch. If you have a cognitive or physical disability that would prevent you from taking a standard learner’s permit exam, you may request an alternative extended time, paper, or person-to-person oral exam. To request an extended time or paper exam, you must speak to the Branch Manager when you visit the branch. Extended time and paper exams do not need to be scheduled in advance. To request a person-to-person oral exam, please call and leave a message that includes your name, telephone number, and why you must take oral exam, and the RMV Office where you would like to take your exam. You will then be contacted by a Registry employee who will help you schedule an exam. Person-to-person oral exams are only available in English. You must provide the Branch Manager with written documentation that explains your disability. A person-to-person oral exam will only be provided if it has been scheduled in advance by calling the number above.

7. Driving with your permit
You must carry your learner’s permit whenever you drive until you earn a driver’s license.
You must be accompanied by a licensed operator who sits in the passenger seat next to you and is at least 21 years old, holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state, and has at least one year of driving experience.
If you are under 18, you may not drive between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has a valid driver’s license with at least one year of driving experience.

8. Taking your Road Test
What do you think is important to know when taking your road test?
The car should be safe and in good working order.
You must show your registration to the examiner.
Your car must be properly inspected.
Your car must have adequate seating so that the examiner may sit next to you and your sponsor may sit in the rear seat behind the driver.
You may not use a vehicle that does not have a seat for your sponsor.
Your car must have a parking brake so the examiner can make an emergency stop.

9. During your Road Test
You should be prepared to demonstrate your ability to:
Use hand signals
Start the engine
Start and stop the vehicle
Parallel park
Back up the vehicle about 50 feet
Make left and right turns
Start, stop, and turn the vehicle on a hill
Make a 3-point turn
Enter and leave an intersection
Recognize and obey traffic signs, lights and signals and other rules of the road
Use good driving sense

10. Follow Good Driving Procedures
Use good driving posture.
Keep both hands on the wheel.
Drive in the proper lane.
Look carefully and signal properly before changing lanes.
Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
Always drive a safe speed and follow speed limits.
Yield the right-of-way.
Be aware of your actions and those of other drivers.

11. Good Driving Posture

12. Road Test Prep Video