FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GET A LOT OF YOUR ANSWERS HERE
General Questions
- A person is eligible to attain a learner's permit at age 16
- You do not need an appointment to take a permit test. Simply walk in during regular business hours, and:
- Provide proof of age and residency (acceptable forms of identification are listed in the driver's manual)
- Complete a permit application, with parent/guardian signature if you are under age 18
- Pay permit fee to RMV (currently $30)
- Pass a vision test
- Pass the written test
- Smile for the camera, and you are on your way
- 15 years and nine months by first class.
- If you are under age 18, you must complete a Registrar-approved driver's education course to be eligible for your license.
- A person is eligible for a Junior Operator License at age 16 1/2 providing they have met the following criteria:
- Successfully completed a Registrar-approved driver education course, AND received a driver education certificate
- Has held a learner's permit for 6 months
- Has had no negative reports to driving record for 6 consecutive months: no tickets, at-fault accidents, etc
- Has completed a minimum of 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving with parent or qualified adult
On that day, you must:
- Have completed license application, signed by parent if under age 18
- Have your learner's permit with you
- Bring a qualified sponsor (see note below)
- Provide an acceptable vehicle (see note below)
Vehicle Requirements:
Notes: Vehicle must have documentation on hand:
- Current registration certificate
- Valid inspection sticker
- Be sure that all lights, signals, horn etc., are in good working order, as the examiner will often have the student perform a 'pre-check' of the vehicle
- Have adequate seating for examiner (next to driver) and sponsor (rear seat)
- Have accessible brake for examiner to use in the case of an emergency stop. You may NOT use any vehicle that does not allow the examiner unobstructed access to the vehicle's service or emergency brake
Qualified sponsor must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have at least one year driving experience
- Have a valid driver's license issued by his/her own state (foreign license not allowed)
Registry Fees
- $35.00 License Test fee payable to RMV
- $50.00 Picture license fee payable to RMV
- Drivers education is mandated if you're under 18 years of age and want to get your license before you're 18 years old.
- Absolutely, if your parents want you to get some experience with us before they get into the car with you, that's great. We'll teach you the proper way to drive right from the start.
- If you feel your child's disability needs to be addressed because it affects learning, behavior etc., notify management and management will take proper steps to accommodate your child in any way necessary.
- If you are under age 18 when you receive your license, you will be issued a Junior Operator License. Certain restrictions apply to Junior Operators.
- You may not operate a motor vehicle between 12 midnight-5am.
- You may not operate a motor vehicle within the first 6 months after receiving your JOL while any person UNDER AGE 18 is in the vehicle (other than you and/or an immediate family member), unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least 1 year of driving experience, holds a valid driver's license from his/her state, and is occupying a seat beside you.
- Note: This restriction is lifted once you complete the 6 month period, or you reach age 18, whichever occurs first.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles mandates that a parent or guardian attend a special 2 hour session. This Parent Class will provide insight into what your child is learning in Driver's Education and explain the current laws. We will also explain how parents can reinforce what their children are learning as well as how they can be positive role models behind the wheel themselves. Parent classes are valid for five (5) years. Only one parent is required to attend a parent class.
Supervised Driving Receipt Now Available
Eligible teenagers who turn 16 between March 1 and June 30, 2020 can now apply for a Supervised Driving Receipt (SDR) prior to obtaining an appointment for their learner's permit. This new option provides the ability for eligible teenagers to take a learner's permit test online without coming into an RMV Service Center first to have a learner's permit application processed.
Eligible teenagers will be required to have parental/guardian consent to apply and take their learner's permit test online. An SDR carries strict requirements, allowing eligible students to practice driving only in Massachusetts with a Massachusetts driver who is at least 21 years old and has held a valid license for more than one year. Driving between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. is prohibited.
The SDR allows an eligible teenager to complete the 40 hours of supervised driving and required six hours of driving observation. Additionally, the SDR allows eligible teenagers to complete the mandatory 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified driving education school. SDRs are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and will only be issued through August 12, 2020.
The granting of a SDR does not does count toward the requirement for six months of clean driving to qualify for a road test, nor does it take the place of a learner's permit. A valid learner's permit is necessary to start the required six months of driving, and teens that choose to receive an SDR should ensure they make a reservation at an RMV Service Center to get their learner's permit prior to the expiration of their SDR.
How to Get an SDR
- Begin the process at the RMV Online Service Center by selecting "Apply for a Learner's Permit."
- After completing the application, customers that are in the eligible date-of-birth range for an SDR will see instructions on how to pay and take the online learner's permit test.
- If they take and pass the online permit test, they will be directed back to their profile and can print the SDR. The signed SDR, along with proof of lawful presence, must be carried during supervised driving hours.
While the SDR allows supervised driving for 90 days before it expires, it's important for Junior Operators to obtain their learner's permit before the SDR expiration date to continue supervised driving and start the six-month clean-driving requirement prior to taking a road test.
Teens who receive an SDR do not have to retake the learner's permit test, but must make a reservation for an in-person RMV Service Center visit and ensure they bring required identification and lawful presence documents to their RMV Service Center appointment to get their learner's permit.
In-Car Observation Hours - Parent/Guardian Affidavit
During the state of emergency, in lieu of required in-car observation hours, Junior Operators in Massachusetts can complete up to six hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or other individual over age 21 with a driver's license that has been valid for more than one year. The Parent/Guardian Affidavit of Completion must be signed in order for a Junior Operator to be credited with up to six hours of observation.
The RMV is adjusting the Driving School eServices Portal to allow driving schools to enter supervised driving hours once an affidavit is signed and returned. We expect this new function to be available next week.