Massachusetts Driver's Manual Notes

Driver’s Manual Information

Important Points

  • Hands-Free Electronics While Driving: Massachusetts law prohibits using electronic devices while driving unless in hands-free mode. Teen drivers are not allowed to use any electronic devices, even in hands-free mode. Violators will face fines and penalties.
  • Out-of-State Violations: Motor vehicle violations occurring out-of-state will impact your driving record as if they occurred in Massachusetts.
  • REAL ID: Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or other acceptable ID (like a valid passport) will be required to fly within the United States.
  • Stay updated on changes, especially online at Mass.Gov/RMV.
  • The Driver’s Manual is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.

Sharing the Road

  • Public ways are meant to be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, passenger vehicles, buses, commercial motor vehicles, and trailers.
  • Some ways, like interstates and expressways, are for motor vehicles and trailers only.
  • Public ways vary in length, width, and features like one-way, two-way, multiple lanes, HOV lanes, center dividers, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and shoulders.
  • The manual focuses on motor vehicles and trailers but aims to make all users aware of shared public ways.
  • Bicycling and walking may be used with transit, so always pay attention.

Obtaining Your License

  • Chapter 1
  • A valid driver's license is required to operate a motor vehicle on any public road, highway, or way with public access in Massachusetts.
  • The Massachusetts RMV issues five license classes with privileges and restrictions.
  • Class A, B, and C licenses are Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) for large vehicles.
  • Class D license is for passenger vehicles, vans, and small trucks (most common).
  • Class M license is for motorcycles.

Who Needs a Massachusetts License?

  • All Massachusetts residents need a valid Massachusetts license to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts.

Out-of-State/Out-of-Country Residents

  • Out-of-State U.S. Residents: U.S. residents at least 16 years old can drive in Massachusetts with a valid out-of-state driver's license.
  • Out-of-Country Residents: Validly licensed drivers from other countries can operate validly registered vehicles if their country enforces equivalent standards.
  • Visitors from other countries may drive private passenger vehicles in Massachusetts if they are over 16 and have a valid driver's license from their home country.
  • If the foreign license is not in English, an English translation is needed.
  • A violation of Section 10 is a criminal violation and a first offense is subject to a fine of 500.
  • Moving to Massachusetts: New residents must obtain a Massachusetts driver's license; there is no grace period.

Licensing Rules for Military Personnel

  • Active military service members must have a valid driver's license from their home state.
  • Exceptions:
    • Returning from active duty outside the United States with a license issued by a branch of the Armed Forces may drive for up to 45 days.
    • Massachusetts driver's license expired during active service may be used for up to 60 days after honorable discharge with the expired license and proof of discharge.

Eligibility for a Massachusetts License

  • Must be a Massachusetts resident, at least 16 years old, and not have a revoked license or right to operate.

Massachusetts Driver's License Limited to Massachusetts Residents

  • Licenses are only issued to Massachusetts residents.

  • Applicants must meet all driver's license requirements under the law, including legal residency.

  • Convicted sex offenders must register with local police departments (call 1-800-93-MEGAN).

  • Age Requirement

    • No person under the age of 16 may drive in Massachusetts, regardless of licenses or permits from other locations.
    • To apply for a Class D or Class M learner's permit, you must be at least 16.
    • You can obtain a learner's permit at age 16, but you may not receive a Class D or a Class M driver's license until you are at least 16 1/2, have had your permit in good standing for six consecutive months, and have completed a driver education training program approved by the RMV.
    • You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Commercial Driver's License (Class A, B, or C).

Parent/ Guardian Consent

  • Customers applying for permits, licenses, or identification cards who are under age 18 (minors) must obtain written consent from a parent, a legal guardian, a social worker, or a boarding school headmaster.
  • For a learner's permit, or identification card, a person gives written consent by signing the back of the permit / license / ID application.
  • If the person signing the back of the application is not a parent, documentation of the person's guardian status must be shown at the time of the permit / ID application and, for a license, at the time of the road test.
  • Forging a signature may result in license suspension or revocation.

Facial Image Policy

  • All applicants for a learner's permit, driver's license, identification card, liquor identification card, or disability placard must have their photo-image captured by the RMV.
  • The captured image must be a straightforward looking view of the applicant.
  • All of the applicant's facial features must be visible (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, etc.).
  • The appearance must provide a clear view of the applicant's face as a whole.
  • A solid or transparent facial cover (scarf, veil, eyeglasses/sunglasses, goggles, surgical or dust mask, etc.) is not acceptable.
  • Eyeglasses, including reading or prescription glasses, are not allowed, even if the applicant normally wears them.
  • A hat or other head cover is not acceptable, but if worn for medical or religious reasons, it may be allowed if it does not hide any facial features.
  • Natural facial hair and hairpieces may be acceptable unless the overall effect disguises the person's true facial appearance or facial features are obscured.
  • Permanent facial tattoos are acceptable but temporary tattoos are not.
  • Bluetooth headsets are not acceptable.

Vision Screening Requirements

  • Testing your vision is a necessary part of ensuring that you are capable of operating a motor vehicle safely.
  • An RMV clerk will screen your vision when you apply for a learner's permit or driver's license.
  • You will be screened for visual acuity, color vision, and peripheral vision.
  • If you normally wear contact lenses or corrective lenses to see at a distance, then you must wear them during the vision screening examination.
  • To be eligible for a Class D or M license, your vision must be at least 20/40 visual acuity in your better eye (corrected) and at least 120 degrees of horizontal peripheral vision (both eyes together) for a full license.
  • If your corrected vision is between 20/50 and 20/70 in the better eye, you may be eligible for a daylight only license.
  • If you fail the vision screening examination, decline to take the examination, or are unable to take the vision screening examination, you may submit an original RMV Vision Screening Certificate (VSC) that your ophthalmologist or optometrist has completed.

Driving Record Verification

  • When you apply for a permit or license, or renew a license, you will be required to provide a list of the states you have been licensed in for the past ten years, as well as all out-of-state license numbers you have had.
  • The RMV's licensing computer system checks your name, birth date, Social Security Number, and any out-of-state driver's license numbers with the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), which stores information about license suspensions and revocations for drivers in all 50 states.
  • You cannot hold a driver's license in multiple states.
  • Massachusetts is part of the State-to-State program, which checks valid driver licenses and state issued ID cards issued by other participating states.

License Descriptions and Classifications

  • REAL ID and Standard Massachusetts Cards (License/ID)
  • You need to choose either a REAL ID Massachusetts Driver’s License or ID Card or a Standard Massachusetts Driver’s License or ID Card.
  • Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID, or other acceptable ID such as a valid passport, to fly within the United States or enter certain federal buildings.
  • A REAL ID Card issued by Massachusetts is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.
  • A Standard Massachusetts Card may be a driver’s license or ID Card.
  • A Standard Massachusetts Driver's License offers the same driving privileges as a REAL ID Massachusetts Driver's License.
  • All driver licensing requirements (age, operator fitness, and written and road testing) are the same for both card types.
  • The documentation and application requirements are different for the two card types.

Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA)

  • Beginning July 1, 2023, Massachusetts no longer requires applicants to provide proof of lawful presence to obtain a Standard Class D or M Driver’s License.
  • Eligible customers must meet the Standard Driver's License identification requirements and pass the written and road test requirements.
  • The WFMA does not affect any class of REAL ID Driver’s Licenses or ID Cards, Standard Massachusetts ID Cards, Commercial Driver's Licenses, or Liquor IDs. Lawful presence is still required for all of these.

License Classes

  • The table below summarizes Massachusetts license types.
  • Your driver's license is considered a primary form of identification, showing proof of identity, residence, age, and signature.
  • Massachusetts Driver’s Licenses:
    • Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
    • Class B: Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
    • Class C: Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is required to be placarded for hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.500 or any other federal regulation.
    • Class D: Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class M. (Typically passenger vehicles such as cars, SUVs, or family vans).
    • Class M: Any motor vehicle defined as a motorcycle in M.G.L. c. 90, § 1.

License Length

  • A Massachusetts driver's license is valid for a maximum of five years and typically expires on your birthday.
  • A REAL ID License or ID card can be issued for a period of less than five years if an applicant’s authorized lawful presence (as established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) is for a shorter period.
  • A Standard License will always be valid for five years.
  • Vertical licenses and identification cards with the words