Massachusetts Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Massachusetts learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official RMV pages and linked to the source.
MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Last verified 2026-07-18 · Source: Massachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's Permit ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Massachusetts licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what RMV itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where RMV publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age16MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Massachusetts' driver manual says you can apply for a learner's permit at age 16
2Documents
RMV lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Completed learner's permit application
- Parent or legal guardian signature (applicants under 18)
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on RMV's own pagesMassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
4Application
Mass.gov, directly confirmed: "Learner's Permit Application Fee: $30"
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeRMV does not publish a verified retake waitMassachusettsRMVMA official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-07-28Official source
Massachusetts RMV states the test has 25 questions, requires 18 correct answers, and allows 25 minutes.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validity24 monthsMassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Mass.gov, directly confirmed: "Learner's permits are valid for 2 years or the length of your stay in the U.S."
Restrictions Massachusetts puts on a new driver:
- Passenger rule: During the first 6 months of the junior operator license, no passengers under 18 are allowed except family members
- Curfew: During the junior-operator phase, no driving is allowed from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- Permit supervision: Learner's-permit holders must be accompanied at all times by the supervising licensed driver required by the permit restrictions
MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1840 hours (10 at night)MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
The Massachusetts driver manual says the learner's permit must be held 6 months with 40 supervised hours, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsMassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16.5MassachusettsRMVMassachusetts RMV — Apply for a Class D Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Massachusetts issues the junior operator license from age 16 years 6 months to 18; the full license follows at age 18
How to get your permit in Massachusetts
- Apply for the Massachusetts learner's permit at age 16
- Drive only while accompanied by the supervising licensed driver required by the permit restrictions
- Hold the permit at least 6 months and complete 40 supervised practice hours, including 10 at night
- Move into the junior-operator phase at age 16 years 6 months and follow the first-6-month passenger and late-night restrictions
- Qualify for the full Massachusetts license at age 18
What is different about Massachusetts
Rules that are set by Massachusetts rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Minimum permit age: 16 here. The most common minimum permit age is 15 (25 of 50 states we have verified).
- Permit validity: 24 months here. The most common permit validity is 12 months (9 of 19 states we have verified).
- Supervised-driving requirement: 40 hours here. The most common supervised-driving requirement is 50 hours (29 of 49 states we have verified).
- Passing score: 72% here. The most common passing score is 80% (15 of 26 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Massachusetts?
You can get a learner's permit in Massachusetts at 16. Massachusetts' driver manual says you can apply for a learner's permit at age 16.
How much does a Massachusetts permit cost?
The Massachusetts permit fee is $30. Mass.gov, directly confirmed: "Learner's Permit Application Fee: $30".
How long do you have to hold your permit in Massachusetts?
You must hold your Massachusetts permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Massachusetts require?
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Massachusetts permit test?
Right here — take a free Massachusetts practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
