Massachusetts Driver's License Rules & Traffic Violations: Key Facts & Penalties

If you are found guilty for three speeding violations within a 12-month period, your license will be suspended automatically for _______

30 days

Any combination of moving violations + at-fault crashes that total 3 in a 2-year period

Penalty: Must complete a Driver Retraining Course within 90 days or license/permit will be suspended until complete

Fee: $100

Calculating Speeding Tickets

Ex: 18 miles over speed limit

18-10=8

First 10=$105

10 dollars per mile=80

Total Ticket=$185

______ are called surchargeable events

Motor vehicle violations and at-fault crashes

Speeding Fines (Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions)

Base fine: $105 for going up to 10 mph over the speed limit

Extra charge: $10 for each mph over the first 10 mph

Work zone: All speeding fines are doubled in work zones

Surchargeable Events

Incidents affecting insurance premiums.

Penalty: 60-day suspension

Fee: $100

3 Speeding Violations Within 12 months

30-day suspension

Fee: $100

Three Speeding Violations in _____ year vs three surchargeable events in _____nyears

one (30 day suspension)

two (90 day suspension)

7 surchargable events within 3 years

60 day suspension

3 major moving violations OR any combo of 12 minor moving violations w/in 5 yrs

four year suspension (habitual traffic offender)

500 dollar fine

BAC legal limit

0.08

What is the legal speed limit in a school zone?

20 mph

Failure to stop for school bus

$250 fine

Seat belt violation

$25 fine per person

If your license was suspended for a bad payment, you must pay the _______

original fee, a license reinstatement fee, and a $15 fee to clear your bad payment

Any driver under 21 will face penalties for having a BAC of ___ or higher.

0.02

When you pass a "vulnerable road user" (such as a pedestrian or bicyclist), you must leave a safe passing distance of at least ___ feet between your vehicle and the road use

4

High beam headlights normally let you see about ____ feet ahead. Low beam headlights normally let you see about ___ feet ahead.

350;100

School Zone Speed

20 mph

Thickly settled or business district Speed

30 mph

Outside a thickly settled or business district

40 mph

highway outside a thickly settled or business district speed

50 mph

There is a minimum speed of ____ on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

40 mph

There is a minimum speed of ______ in the Boston Harbor tunnels (Callahan, Sumner, and Ted Williams).

20 mph

Flashing Red Circle

the same as a stop sign

Flashing Yellow Circle

Warning, proceed with caution and look both ways before crossing an intersection.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

You may turn in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear

Warning Sign

a yellow, diamond-shaped sign that alerts you to possible hazards

No Passing Zone

pennant

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon

is a specialized type of signal that is used to facilitate pedestrian crossing that may be found at a mid-block crosswalk

Normal=Bottom is red

Yellow=Pedestrain is crossing

BLUE traffic sign

motorist service (e.g., gas, food, hotels), evacuation route

FLUORESCENT YELLOW-GREEN sign

school zone, bicycle, pedestrian, and curve warning

FLUORESCENT PINK sign

incident management signs

PURPLE sign

electronic toll collection signs

Double Solid White Line

A double solid white line separates two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Crossing a double solid white line is not allowed.

Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows)

Shared Lane Markings (also known as Sharrows) help bicyclists position themselves in the right location and in the right direction in a lane that is shared with motor vehicles.

How far should you park from a fire hydrant?

15 feet

What is the correct response when your vehicle starts hydroplaning?

Steer straight and ease off the gas

Signal your turn at least ____ before making the turn. On a highway, signal at least _____ before a turn

100 feet;500 feet

You must come to a complete stop at a red traffic light.

You may then turn right unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted

When there is not enough room for a U-turn, you may consider a ______

three-point turn

Roundabout vs Rotary Speed

Roundabount=25 miles per hour

Rotary=40 miles per hour

In general, the law requires you to drive on the right side of the road. When passing is allowed, you should pass on the left

You may not exceed the speed limit when passing.

If you are crossing a broken yellow line to pass, you must be able to see clearly at least ____ feet in front of you

400

dont stop for a school bus

license suspension and a $250 fine

Downhill Against a Curb

Turn your wheels inward, toward the curb.

Uphill Against a Curb

Turn your wheels outward, toward the travel lane.

No Curb on Hill

Turn your wheels inward, toward the edge of the road.

(the penalty for parking in a posted bus stop is

$100

"Dutch Reach"

Opening your driver's door with RIGHT hand to see for bicyclists

You must use your headlights and taillights

From one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise •

When you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead due to insufficient light or weather conditions •

Whenever you use your windshield wipers (daytime running lights are not sufficient)

In rain, snow, fog, or other weather that makes it hard to see

Anytime you have trouble seeing other vehicles

To alert another driver to turn on his/her headlights

While driving through a tunnel

Stopping Distances

20 mph=59 ft

40 mph=156 ft

60 ft=292 ft

If a railroad sign starts to flash you must stop ____ feet before the crossing

15