Massachusetts Online Driver Education and Massachusetts Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Massachusetts Learner's Permit or first Massachusetts driver's license. Massachusetts has a Graduated Driver License Program for Massachusetts teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Massachusetts driver's license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's get started.
Massachusetts Instructional Permit and Massachusetts Learner's Permit
The minimum age to apply for a Massachusetts Learner's Permit is 16. You'll need to make an appointment at your local Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and bring the following:
At your local Massachusetts RMV, you'll have to pass the required tests:
- A written test, consisting of 25 questions. You must answer 18 correctly in 20 minutes!
- You can study for the written test with the Massachusetts Driver's Manual
- A vision test
If you survived, then congratulations! You just earned your Massachusetts Learner's Permit. Remember that with your Massachusetts Learner's Permit, you can only practice driving with another licensed driver who is 21, and if you're under 18, you cannot drive between 12AM and 5AM unless your parent or legal guardian is with you. Your Massachusetts Learner's Permit is valid for 2 years. After you've had your Massachusetts Learner's Permit for 6 months, you'll be ready for the next step in the Massachusetts Graduated License Program.
Your Massachusetts Junior Operator License
In order to apply for your Massachusetts Provisional driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few Massachusetts State requirements before heading down to your local Massachusetts RMV:
- You must be at least 16 and a half (or have held your Massachusetts Learner's Permit for at least 6 months
- Complete a Massachusetts approved driver education program which includes:
- 12 hours of on the road behind the wheel training
- 6 hours observing other student drivers
- 2 hours--of your parent or legal guardian attending driver education!
- In addition, you must complete 40 hours of supervised road time or
- Only 30 hours if you've completed a driver skills development program
If you've completed the following requirements, head on down to your local Massachusetts RMV, where you'll have to take the dreaded road exam. If you pass, then congratulations! You've just earned your Massachusetts Junior Operator's driver's license! However, you'll still have to drive with a few restrictions until you're eligible for your Massachusetts Class D driver's license.
Massachusetts Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Massachusetts Junior Operator's driver's license:
- For the first 6 months, no passengers under 18 who aren't family members unless you're accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older with 1 year driving experience
- No driving between 12:30AM and 5AM unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
A full list of the penalties for breaking these Massachusetts teen driver restrictions are available on the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle website.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance Massachusetts Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Massachusetts drivers license, you're ready to drive--or are you? Any vehicle registered in Massachusetts must be covered by liability insurance . The minimum coverage is:
- $20,000 per person for bodily injury
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $5,000 for property damage
- $8,000 for personal injury protection
If you are found to be driving without Massachusetts mandatory liability insurance, your Massachusetts Learner's Permit or Massachusetts Junior Operator's license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Massachusetts Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a new Massachusetts driver, it's important for you to learn the Massachusetts drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of a Massachusetts DUI (0.08), you'll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence up to 30 months
- $250 fine
- Additional $50 DUI Victim Trust Fund
- License suspension of 1 year
- A Court Assigned Treatment Program
And of course, further Massachusetts DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Massachusetts license suspension or even Massachusetts license revocation.
Currently, there is no law prohibiting Massachusetts teen drivers from using cell phones while driving.
Massachusetts Online Driver Education
Massachusetts teen drivers are required to enroll in a driver education program which includes:
- 12 hours of on the road behind the wheel training
- 6 hours observing other student drivers
- 2 hours--of your parent or legal guardian attending driver education!
For information about approved Massachusetts online driver education courses, you can find more information here.
