Massachusetts learner's permit and Class D exam
Massachusetts lets applicants apply for a Class D learner's permit from age 16. The permit exam has 25 questions, gives you 25 minutes, and requires 18 correct answers to pass.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
- 25permit-exam questions
- 18 / 25correct answers to pass
- $30learner's permit application fee
Massachusetts learner's permit exam format
The Class D learner's permit exam covers rules of the road, road signs, impaired-driving consequences, Junior Operator Law topics and sharing the road. It can be taken online after the RMV verifies your application and documents, or at an RMV Service Center.
| questions | 25 |
|---|---|
| correct to pass | 18 |
| time limit | 25 min |
What the exam covers
RMV lists rules of the road, road signs, impaired-driving consequences, Junior Operator Law and sharing the road among the Class D exam topics.
Online or Service Center
After the RMV processes and verifies the application and documents, applicants can take the standard Class D exam online or at an RMV Service Center.
The steps to a Massachusetts driver license
You must be at least 16 to apply for a Massachusetts Class D learner's permit. The process starts online, then includes an in-person document check and vision screening before the permit exam.
- Step 1. Start the Class D learner's permit application online.
- Step 2. Make an appointment at an RMV Service Center or eligible AAA branch and bring the required documents.
- Step 3. Pass the field-vision/basic-color screening.
- Step 4. Take and pass the Class D permit exam online or at the Service Center.
- Step 5. Practice legally on the permit and prepare for the road test.
Before you go: requirements and documents
Massachusetts learner's permit requirements
Massachusetts Class D learner's permit requirements: minimum age 16, application, documents, vision screening, 25-question exam and road-test path.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a Massachusetts Class D learner's permit
Massachusetts permit document requirements for a standard Class D learner's permit and REAL ID, including identity and state-residency proof.
Open the document checklist →Standard Class D permit
Use the RMV's Class D/M learner's permit document checklist for accepted identity and Massachusetts-residency documents.
REAL ID requires a different proof set
For REAL ID, Massachusetts lists proof of lawful presence, full Social Security number and two Massachusetts residency documents.
Fees
The Massachusetts RMV publishes statewide fees for learner permits, road tests and driver licenses. Fees can change, so check the official schedule before paying.
| Class D learner permit | $30 |
|---|---|
| road test | $35 |
| Class D driver license | $50 |
See the full Massachusetts fee guide →
Massachusetts teen permit and Junior Operator License
Massachusetts drivers under 18 follow Junior Operator License rules. The learner's permit can begin at 16, and a JOL cannot be issued until the age and training requirements are satisfied.
Hold the permit and keep a clean record
The JOL rules require a valid learner's permit for at least six consecutive months and a clean driving record during the required period before the road test.
Complete approved driver education
The program includes 30 classroom hours, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training and 6 hours observing other student drivers.
Complete supervised driving
The RMV requires at least 40 additional hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving, with a reduced 30-hour option when the specified driver-skills program is completed.
Massachusetts first Class D license for adults
Adults 18 and older use the same Class D learner's permit exam and road-test process, but the RMV does not require the under-18 Driver Education Program.
Get and use the Class D learner's permit
Complete the permit application, document verification, vision screening and exam, then practice with a qualified licensed driver under the permit rules.
Driver education is not required after 18
Massachusetts states that adults over 18 do not need to complete a Driver Education Program for a Class D license.
Schedule the road test when ready
The road test is the final driving examination before issuance of the Class D license. Pay all required road-test and license fees before the license can be issued.
Appointments and office visits
Massachusetts requires an appointment for an in-person Class D learner's permit transaction. Road tests are also scheduled through the RMV's online system.
Permit appointment
Start the permit application online, then reserve an RMV Service Center appointment to present documents and complete the vision screening. Eligible AAA members can use participating AAA branches for document processing.
Road-test appointment
Road-test slots are scheduled online and can be booked up to 60 days in advance. The RMV adds slots throughout business days when availability changes.
Prepare before the appointment
Check the exact location, accepted payment methods and document list before you travel. Road-test applicants also need the required permit, sponsor and vehicle.
Massachusetts RMV Service Center locations
Use the official RMV location directory to find a Service Center that offers the transaction you need. Learner-permit and driver-license services generally require an appointment.
Find the right office
Find Massachusetts RMV Service Centers for learner-permit, license and road-test transactions and verify appointment requirements and local hours.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Class D road tests are scheduled through the RMV. Applicants need a valid learner's permit, a qualified sponsor and an eligible vehicle, and under-18 applicants must satisfy all JOL requirements.
Bring the permit, sponsor and qualifying vehicle
RMV road-test instructions require the permit and a qualified licensed sponsor. The test vehicle must meet registration, insurance and safety requirements.
Schedule online
Road tests can be scheduled online up to 60 days ahead. Availability changes as new slots are added.
Know when the fee is charged
The $35 road-test fee is not refunded for a failed test, an unprepared applicant, an ineligible vehicle, lateness/no-show, or cancellation/rescheduling with less than 72 hours notice.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the Massachusetts knowledge test
Massachusetts missions are not live in Road to Permit yet. For now, use the current RMV manual, permit information and the free Massachusetts guides on this site.
Open Massachusetts study guide →
Massachusetts road signs permit-test guide
Road-sign identification is one of the topics on the Massachusetts Class D learner's permit exam. The official Class D Driver's Manual is the correct state study source.
Study road signs →Massachusetts Class D Driver's Manual
The Massachusetts RMV publishes the Class D Driver's Manual in English and many translated editions. It is the state study source for the permit exam, licensing rules, road signs and safe-driving topics.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Use the current RMV manual
- Study the topics RMV names for the exam
- Use official RMV practice material too
- Study sign meaning and driver response
- Use Massachusetts-specific material
- What the exam covers
- Online or Service Center
- The exam is highly multilingual
Massachusetts permit test: questions and answers
What is the Massachusetts knowledge-test format?
The Class D learner's permit exam contains 25 questions. You have 25 minutes and must answer at least 18 correctly.
What do I need before I apply in Massachusetts?
You must be at least 16 to apply for a Massachusetts Class D learner's permit. The process starts online, then includes an in-person document check and vision screening before the permit exam.
Which documents should I prepare?
The RMV requires applicants to prove identity and Massachusetts residency. The exact document set depends on whether you choose a standard credential or REAL ID, so use the official checklist for your transaction.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
The Massachusetts RMV publishes statewide fees for learner permits, road tests and driver licenses. Fees can change, so check the official schedule before paying.
Where do I make an appointment?
Massachusetts requires an appointment for an in-person Class D learner's permit transaction. Road tests are also scheduled through the RMV's online system.
Complete Massachusetts driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
Massachusetts Class D Driver's Manual
Use the official Massachusetts Class D Driver's Manual to prepare for the 25-question learner's permit exam, road signs, JOL rules and safe driving.
Open guide →Massachusetts learner's permit requirements
Massachusetts Class D learner's permit requirements: minimum age 16, application, documents, vision screening, 25-question exam and road-test path.
Open guide →Documents for a Massachusetts Class D learner's permit
Massachusetts permit document requirements for a standard Class D learner's permit and REAL ID, including identity and state-residency proof.
Open guide →Massachusetts RMV appointments
How to schedule Massachusetts RMV appointments for learner-permit document processing and Class D road tests, including road-test scheduling windows.
Open guide →Massachusetts road signs permit-test guide
Prepare for Massachusetts road-sign questions using the official Class D Driver's Manual and the RMV learner-permit exam topics.
Open guide →Massachusetts learner's permit exam format
Massachusetts Class D learner's permit exam format: 25 questions, 25 minutes, 18 correct to pass, online or in-person testing and available languages.
Open guide →Massachusetts teen permit and Junior Operator License
Massachusetts Junior Operator License path: learner permit at 16, six-month clean holding period, driver education, supervised practice and road test.
Open guide →Massachusetts first Class D license for adults
Massachusetts first-license path for adults 18 and older: learner permit, permit exam, supervised practice, road test and license fees.
Open guide →Massachusetts Class D road test
Massachusetts Class D road-test guide: permit, sponsor, vehicle requirements, appointment scheduling, $35 fee and under-18 JOL eligibility.
Open guide →Massachusetts permit and driver-license fees
Massachusetts RMV Class D fees: $30 permit application/exam, $35 road test and $50 Class D driver's license.
Open guide →Massachusetts RMV Service Center locations
Find Massachusetts RMV Service Centers for learner-permit, license and road-test transactions and verify appointment requirements and local hours.
Open guide →Official sources
Facts on this hub were checked against the linked state sources on September 30, 2026. Procedures and fees can change, so recheck the official page before you apply.