Massachusetts Driver's License & Permit Test: Key Rules & Laws

Minimum age for MA learner's permit

16 years old

Minimum age for MA driver's license

16½ years old

Minimum age to drive in Massachusetts

16 years old

Permit validity in Massachusetts

Up to 2 years

Learner's permit exam fee

$30

Number of permit exam questions

25

Correct answers needed to pass permit exam

18

Time limit for permit exam

25 minutes

Who must sit next to a permit driver

A licensed driver age 21+ with at least 1 year driving experience

Permit driver curfew under 18

No driving 12:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. unless with parent/legal guardian

What is a JOL

Junior Operator License for ages 16½-18

JOL permit holding requirement

6 consecutive months

JOL driving record requirement

Clean record for 6 months

JOL supervised driving hours

40 hours

JOL supervised hours with driver skills program

30 hours

Driver's ed classroom hours

30 hours

Behind-the-wheel training hours

12 hours

Observation hours in driver's ed

6 hours

JOL passenger restriction first 6 months

No passengers under 18 except family unless supervised by qualified adult

Qualified supervising adult for JOL

21+, valid license, 1+ year experience, seated beside driver

JOL night restriction

No driving 12:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. without parent/legal guardian

Teen drivers and phones

No electronic devices except emergencies

Massachusetts hands-free law

Drivers may not hold/support electronic devices

Only time a driver may use phone legally

Hands-free use (unless under 18)

Seat belt law

Seat belts required

Air bag safety

Sit properly and wear seat belt

Defensive driving

Means staying alert and anticipating hazards

Safe following distance

Leave enough room to stop safely

Hydroplaning

Vehicle rides on water and loses traction

Best response to hydroplaning

Ease off gas, steer straight, avoid hard braking

Driving in fog

Use low beams

Driving in heavy rain

Slow down and increase following distance

Winter driving

Drive slower and increase space

Drowsy driving danger

Delayed reaction and poor judgment

Move-over law

Slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles

Emergency vehicle approaching

Pull right and stop

Stopped by police

Pull over safely, stay calm, follow directions

After a crash

Check injuries, move safely, call police if needed

Hit and run

Leaving crash scene without identifying yourself

Speeding danger

Reduces reaction time and increases crash severity

Basic speed law

Drive only as fast as safe for conditions

School zone speed

Slow and obey posted limits

Work zone rule

Slow down and obey workers/signs

Solid yellow line

No passing if your side has solid yellow

Broken yellow line

Passing allowed when safe

Double solid yellow

No passing

White lane line

Separates traffic moving same direction

Crosswalk

Yield to pedestrians

Stop sign

Complete stop and yield before proceeding

Yield sign

Slow and give right-of-way

Red traffic light

Stop completely

Green traffic light

Go if intersection is clear

Yellow traffic light

Prepare to stop

Flashing red

Treat like stop sign

Flashing yellow

Proceed with caution

Green arrow

Turn in direction of arrow

Red arrow

Stop; no turn unless allowed

Pedestrian WALK signal

Pedestrians may cross

Pedestrian flashing hand

Do not begin crossing

Roundabout rule

Yield to traffic already inside

Right-of-way at 4-way stop

First vehicle to stop goes first

If 2 vehicles arrive together

Vehicle on the right goes first

Emergency vehicles right-of-way

Always yield

Pedestrians right-of-way

Yield at crosswalks/intersections

Backing up

Look over shoulder and move slowly

Passing on left

Only when safe and legal

Passing on right

Only when allowed and safe

School bus with flashing red lights

Stop

Railroad crossing

Stop if signals warn or train approaching

Parking uphill with curb

Turn wheels away from curb

Parking downhill with curb

Turn wheels toward curb

Parking uphill no curb

Turn wheels toward edge of road

Never park where

Fire hydrants, intersections, crosswalks, blocking driveways

Fire hydrant parking distance

At least 10 feet away

Alcohol and driving

Impairs judgment, reaction, and coordination

BAC over legal limit

Illegal and dangerous

Open container law

Alcohol cannot be open in vehicle passenger area

Drugs and driving

Illegal and dangerous

Out-of-state violations

Count against MA record

License suspension

Common for serious violations or repeated offenses

Courtesy crash

Crash caused by giving up right-of-way incorrectly

Bike lane rule

Check carefully before turning/crossing

Dooring

Avoid opening car door into bicyclists

Pedestrians are vulnerable road users

Give extra care and space

Motorcycle awareness

Look twice and give room

Horn use

Warn others of danger

High beams

Use when safe and dim for approaching traffic

Low beams

Use in fog/rain

Green driving

Smooth acceleration and braking saves fuel

REAL ID needed for domestic flights

Yes unless using passport/other approved ID

Standard MA license and REAL ID driving privileges

Same driving privileges

License usually expires

On your birthday

MA Class D license

Passenger vehicles

MA Class M license

Motorcycles

MA Class A/B/C

Commercial vehicles

Driving is a privilege

Can be suspended or revoked

Best test strategy

Read carefully and eliminate wrong answers

Most common permit test focus

Signs, right-of-way, JOL, suspensions, alcohol, safety