Massachusetts DMV · Permit Test Prep
Massachusetts DMV Practice Test 2026
Updated for 2026 · Sourced from the official Massachusetts handbook
The Massachusetts RMV learner's permit exam is a 25-question multiple-choice test drawn from the official Massachusetts Driver's Manual, covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe-driving practices. You need to answer 18 of 25 questions correctly (72%) to pass, and you have 25 minutes to finish. Massachusetts also runs a Junior Operator License (JOL) program for drivers under 18, with strict night, passenger, and cell-phone rules that catch a lot of new drivers off guard. Work through the real, manual-sourced practice questions below, then download DMV Ace for 1,000+ more Massachusetts-specific questions, progress tracking, and a full explanation on every answer.
No account needed · All Massachusetts questions free to start
Topics covered on the Massachusetts DMV written test
The 25 questions on the real Massachusetts test are drawn from these chapters of the official Massachusetts Driver Handbook.
Getting Your License and Permit
Class D permit eligibility, identification documents, the Junior Operator License program, and the steps from permit to road test.
Traffic Signs and Signals
Regulatory, warning, and guide signs; traffic lights, flashing signals, railroad crossings, and pavement markings.
Rules of the Road
Right-of-way, intersections, four-way and uncontrolled stops, turning, signaling, and lane use.
Speed Control and Safe Driving
Posted and default speed limits, school and work zones, the following distance rule, and reducing speed for conditions.
Lane Changes and Passing
Signaling, mirror checks, blind-spot checks over the shoulder, passing rules, and lane markings.
Sharing the Road
School buses, pedestrians in crosswalks, bicyclists, motorcycles, and large trucks.
Driving Conditions
Night driving, headlight use, rain, fog, reduced visibility, and dimming high beams.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Crashes
BAC limits, the effects of alcohol and medications, what to do after a collision, and crash-reporting requirements.
Practice Questions
12 free Massachusetts DMV practice questions
Real Massachusetts-specific questions sourced from the official Massachusetts Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.
Question 1 · General Rules
When is it illegal to change lanes?
- AWhen passing on a two-lane road
- BWhile driving through an intersection✓ Correct
- CWhen approaching a highway on-ramp
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, changing lanes inside an intersection is illegal. Always complete lane changes before entering the intersection to maintain safe traffic flow.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 45 · Lane Changes
Question 2 · Right of Way
At a four-way stop, who has the right of way?
- AThe driver on the left
- BThe first vehicle to come to a complete stop✓ Correct
- CThe vehicle traveling straight
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, at a four-way stop the first vehicle to arrive and stop has the right of way. If two arrive simultaneously, the driver on the right yields.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 43 · Four-Way Stops
Question 3 · Turns & Intersections
When can you make a U-turn legally in Massachusetts?
- AOnly when traffic is light
- BAt any intersection without a sign
- CWhen you can see at least 500 feet in both directions✓ Correct
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, U-turns are illegal if you cannot see at least 500 feet in each direction. Never make a U-turn on a curve or near the crest of a hill.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 46 · Regulatory Signs
Question 4 · Lane Changes & Passing
How should you check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- AUse only your side mirror
- BTurn your head and look over your shoulder✓ Correct
- CRely solely on the rearview mirror
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, mirrors alone cannot eliminate blind spots. Before changing lanes, you must turn your head and look over your shoulder to check the area mirrors cannot show.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 45 · Blind Spot Checking
Question 5 · DUI Laws
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and older in Massachusetts?
- A0.05%
- B0.08%✓ Correct
- C0.10%
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older. For drivers under 21, the administrative limit is 0.02%.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 71 · Alcohol and the Law
Question 6 · Highway Driving
A solid white line on the highway means:
- ALane changes are discouraged✓ Correct
- BPassing is permitted with caution
- CThe road is about to end
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, solid white lines mark lane boundaries where changes are discouraged. Broken white lines permit lane changes when it is safe to do so.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 44 · Highway Markings
Question 7 · Weather & Visibility
When must you use your headlights in Massachusetts?
- AOnly after 10 p.m.
- BFrom one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise✓ Correct
- COnly when it is raining, regardless of the time
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, headlights are required from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise, and any time visibility drops below 500 feet.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 53 · Night Driving
Question 8 · Traffic Signs & Signals
A flashing red traffic light means:
- ASlow down and proceed with caution
- BStop, then proceed when safe✓ Correct
- CYield to cross traffic only
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, a flashing red light must be treated like a stop sign — come to a complete stop, then proceed only when the way is clear.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 42 · Traffic Control
Question 9 · Accidents & Emergencies
A crash must be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles if property damage exceeds:
- A$500
- B$1,000✓ Correct
- C$2,500
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, any crash involving injury or property damage over $1,000 must be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in writing within 5 days.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 61 · Accident Procedures
Question 10 · Driver Readiness
Driving while emotionally upset can:
- AImprove your reaction time
- BImpair your judgment and reaction time✓ Correct
- CHave little effect on your driving
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, emotional distress can impair judgment, reaction time, and decision-making much like alcohol. Drivers should wait until calm before operating a vehicle.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 35 · Emotional Driving
Question 11 · Speed Limits
What is the speed limit in a Massachusetts school zone?
- A20 mph✓ Correct
- B15 mph
- C25 mph
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, the speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph. Drivers must slow down and be especially alert for children crossing.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 44 · Speed Limits
Question 12 · Pedestrian Laws
Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. You must yield to them even if:
- AThe crosswalk is not marked✓ Correct
- BThe pedestrian is crossing against the light
- CYou have a green light
Why: According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, pedestrians have the right of way in all crosswalks at intersections, whether the crosswalk is marked with paint or unmarked.
Source: Massachusetts Driver Handbook, page 49 · Pedestrian Crossing
988+ more Massachusetts practice questions in the app
Download DMV Ace — FreeMassachusetts-specific rules to know
A few traffic rules that are particular to Massachusetts and frequently show up on the test.
Junior Operator License (JOL) night restriction
Drivers under 18 with a JOL may not operate a vehicle between 12:30 AM and 5:00 AM unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. This curfew applies for the entire time you hold a junior license.
JOL passenger restriction
For the first six months after getting a Junior Operator License, drivers under 18 may not carry passengers under 18 — other than siblings — unless a licensed driver 21 or older with at least one year of experience is in the vehicle.
Total cell-phone ban for drivers under 18
Operators under 18 may not hold or use any mobile phone or electronic device while driving — even hands-free use is prohibited. A first JOL offense carries a $100 fine and a 60-day license suspension.
Move Over Law
When approaching a stopped emergency, maintenance, or recovery vehicle displaying flashing lights, you must reduce speed and, when safe on a multi-lane road, move into a lane farther away. Violations carry a fine of up to $100.
Crash reporting within 5 days
Any crash that causes injury or death, or property damage of more than $1,000, must be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in writing within 5 days of the collision.
How to get your Massachusetts driver's license
The knowledge test is one step in Massachusetts's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.
Check the age and eligibility requirements
Eligibility in Massachusetts: 16 for a Class D learner's permit; 16 years 6 months for a Junior Operator License (JOL). Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.
Study the official handbook
Read the Official Massachusetts Driver's Manual (mass.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 72%.
Pass the knowledge test
The Massachusetts written test has 25 questions, and you need 18 correct (72%) to pass. You have 25 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $30 for the Class D learner's permit exam and permit.
Build supervised driving experience
Hold your permit for the period Massachusetts requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.
Pass the road test and get licensed
After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Massachusetts issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.
Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Massachusetts DMV office.
How DMV Ace prepares you for the Massachusetts test
1,000+ Massachusetts-specific questions
Every question is sourced from the official Massachusetts Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.
Explanations on every answer
Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.
Hard Questions module
A curated bank of the trickiest Massachusetts questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.
Smart progress tracking
See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Massachusetts DMV.
FAQ
Massachusetts DMV permit test — common questions
How many questions are on the Massachusetts RMV permit test?
- The Massachusetts learner's permit exam has 25 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 18 correctly (72%) to pass, and you have 25 minutes to complete it.
What's the passing score for the Massachusetts permit test?
- 72% — you must answer 18 of the 25 questions correctly, meaning you can miss no more than 7. The threshold is the same for first-time testers and retakes.
What's the minimum age to get a learner's permit in Massachusetts?
- You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Class D learner's permit. A Junior Operator License (full license for drivers under 18) is available at 16 years 6 months after holding the permit for the required period.
Can I take the Massachusetts permit test online?
- Partly. You must first visit an RMV Service Center (or a AAA branch if you are a member) to verify your identity, take a vision test, and have your photo taken. Once your application is processed, the RMV may issue login credentials to complete the knowledge exam online under remote proctoring. Check mass.gov/rmv for current eligibility.
How many times can I retake the Massachusetts permit test if I fail?
- There is no set limit on retakes, but you must schedule a new appointment and pay the exam fee again for each attempt. Use the wait to review the Massachusetts Driver's Manual and practice the questions you missed.
How much does a Massachusetts learner's permit cost?
- $30 covers the Class D learner's permit exam and the permit itself. You pay separately later for the Junior Operator License or standard driver's license once you pass the road test.
What is the JOL night curfew in Massachusetts?
- Junior Operator License holders under 18 may not drive between 12:30 AM and 5:00 AM unless a parent or legal guardian is in the vehicle. The curfew applies the whole time you hold a junior license.
Can drivers under 18 use a cell phone while driving in Massachusetts?
- No. Drivers under 18 are banned from holding or using any mobile phone or electronic device while driving, including hands-free use. A first offense carries a $100 fine and a 60-day license suspension.
Coming Soon
Massachusetts motorcycle permit test prep
Studying for your motorcycle endorsement instead? Dedicated Massachusetts motorcycle practice is coming to DMV Ace soon — meanwhile, the app already includes full motorcycle question banks for every state.
Practice tests for other states
Studying in a different state, or moving soon? DMV Ace covers every U.S. jurisdiction. Free sample questions for nearby states:
- Connecticut DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- Delaware DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- Maine DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- Maryland DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- New Hampshire DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- New Jersey DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- New York DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- Pennsylvania DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
- Rhode Island DMV Practice TestFree sample questions →
Get the DMV Ace app
Free · 1,000+ state-specific questions