Massachusetts permit practice test
The Massachusetts RMV knowledge test has 25 questions and you need 18 correct (72%) to pass. This free practice test uses the same numbers, with 50 questions written from the Massachusetts Driver's Manual.
Massachusetts practice test
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What must you do when you come to this sign?
A stop sign always means a complete halt for every vehicle that reaches it. Stop before the crosswalk or stop line, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles, then go carefully.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 94
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What does this sign require you to do?
At a yield sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians go before you proceed, and stop completely if traffic requires it.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 94
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You see this round sign ahead. What should you do?
A round warning sign usually comes before a railroad crossing. Slow down and get ready to stop, and never try to beat a train to the crossing.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 94
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What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?
A red circle with a diagonal slash means that something is prohibited. On this sign, the U-turn pictured inside the circle is not allowed.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 94
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What does this pennant-shaped sign tell you?
The pennant-shaped No Passing Zone sign means you may not cross the yellow line to pass another vehicle.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 92
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How should you treat a flashing red traffic light?
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, obey the right-of-way rules, and go when it is safe.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 89
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The traffic light ahead turns steady yellow. What must you do?
A steady yellow light means the signal is changing from green to red. You must stop if you can do it safely.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 89
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What does a flashing yellow left arrow allow you to do?
A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn while oncoming traffic has a green light, but only when there is an adequate gap and no pedestrians are in your path.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 89
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The traffic signals at an intersection are completely dark after a power failure. What should you do?
When signals are blacked out and not working, be cautious and treat the intersection as if there were a stop sign in every direction. Go when it is safe.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 90
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When may you cross a double solid yellow center line?
Two solid yellow lines prohibit crossing them to pass another vehicle. You may cross them to turn left when it is safe to do so.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 98
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What does a white diamond symbol painted in a lane mean?
A white diamond marks a lane with a special restriction, such as a lane for high occupancy vehicles (carpools) only or for buses only.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 99
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At a red light, a green bicycle box is painted across your lane before the crosswalk. The box is empty. Where do you stop?
Drivers must stop behind a bicycle box, even when no bicyclist is in it, and wait there for the green light.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 124
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Who has the right-of-way at a Massachusetts rotary?
Traffic in a rotary travels counter-clockwise. Unless signs or police tell you differently, yield to vehicles already in the rotary and to pedestrians.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 109
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A blind pedestrian using a white cane is crossing the street ahead of you. What does the White Cane Law require?
You must come to a complete stop when a blind pedestrian is crossing a street and stay stopped until the person has safely crossed. Do not honk or wave the person on.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 108
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An ambulance with its siren and flashing lights on is coming up behind you. What must you do?
Pull as close as you can to the right side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Slowly rolling is not acceptable, and never stop in the middle of an intersection.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 128
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You have a green light, but a funeral procession is passing through the intersection on a red light. What should you do?
Once the lead vehicle legally enters an intersection, the whole funeral procession may follow. Even with a green light, you may not cross unless you can do it without crossing the procession's path.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 116
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What is the speed limit on roads near schools in Massachusetts?
The speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph. Signs may have flashing yellow lights or apply only during certain hours, so look closely for them.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 88
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Unless posted otherwise, what is the fastest reasonable and proper speed in a thickly settled or business district?
Unless posted otherwise, driving over 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper. Some places post a lower limit.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 87
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What makes an area a “thickly settled district” in Massachusetts?
A thickly settled district is an area where buildings are fewer than 200 feet apart for a distance of a quarter mile or more.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 88
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What is the minimum speed on the Massachusetts Turnpike?
The Massachusetts Turnpike has a minimum speed of 40 mph. The Boston Harbor tunnels have a minimum speed of 20 mph.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 87
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On a road that is not a highway, how far before a turn must you start signaling?
Signal at least 100 feet before you turn. On a highway, the distance is at least 500 feet.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 105
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Before you cross a broken yellow line to pass, how far ahead must you be able to see clearly?
To cross a broken yellow line and pass, you must be able to see clearly at least 400 feet in front of you.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 111
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When may you turn left at a red light in Massachusetts?
A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Stop first and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 106
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In Massachusetts, you may not park within how many feet of an intersection?
Parking within 20 feet of an intersection is not allowed in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 118
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In Massachusetts, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
You may not park within ten feet of a fire hydrant or a fire lane.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 119
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When you park in a business or residential district, how far from the curb may your vehicle be?
In a business or residential district, your parked vehicle must be no more than 12 inches from the curb, unless angled parking is allowed.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 117
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At what blood alcohol content (BAC) will a driver age 21 or older fail a chemical test in Massachusetts?
Every driver fails a chemical test with a BAC of 0.08 or greater. Drivers under 21 face penalties at a much lower level.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 77
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Under the Massachusetts zero-tolerance law, a driver under 21 will lose their license for a BAC as low as what?
Massachusetts has a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21. If you are under 21 and caught driving with a BAC as low as 0.02, you will lose your license.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 81
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A driver over 21 with no prior OUI offenses refuses a breath test. How long is the license suspension?
For a driver over 21 with no prior OUI offenses, refusing a chemical test brings a 180-day license suspension. The suspension takes effect immediately.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 78
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What does the Massachusetts open container law forbid?
You may not drink alcohol while driving or have an open alcoholic drink inside your vehicle, even when someone else is holding it. The fine is $100 to $500.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 82
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Who must sit in the passenger seat next to you when you drive with a Class D learner's permit?
A permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver in the seat beside them who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 26
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A 16-year-old learner's permit holder may not drive during which hours unless a licensed parent or legal guardian rides along?
A permit holder under 18 may not drive between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless a parent or legal guardian who is licensed with at least one year of driving experience rides along.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 26
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A Junior Operator License holder may not drive between which hours unless a parent or legal guardian is in the vehicle?
With a Junior Operator License, you may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless one of your parents or your legal guardian is with you.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 18
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During the first six months with a Junior Operator License, who may not ride with you unless a qualified adult sits beside you?
For the first six months, a Junior Operator may not carry anyone under 18 other than immediate family, unless a licensed driver at least 21 with a year of experience sits in the next seat.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 18
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A Junior Operator License applicant has not taken a driver skills development program. How many hours of supervised driving must a parent or guardian certify?
Besides driver education, a Junior Operator applicant needs at least 40 more hours of supervised driving certified by a parent or guardian. It is 30 hours if the applicant completed a driver skills development program.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 18
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It is daytime and you turn on your windshield wipers. What does Massachusetts law require?
You must use your headlights and taillights whenever you use your windshield wipers. Daytime running lights are not enough.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 55
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You must switch from high beams to low beams when you are within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?
Lower your high beams when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. When you are following another vehicle, lower them within 200 feet.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 54
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In Massachusetts, a child must ride in a child passenger restraint until reaching what age or height?
Children must ride in a federally approved child passenger restraint until they are at least eight years old or at least 57 inches tall. After that they must wear safety belts.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 44
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May a 17-year-old use a phone in hands-free mode while driving in Massachusetts?
Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile electronic device for any reason while driving, even hands-free. The only exception is reporting an emergency.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 48
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The red lights at a railroad crossing begin to flash. Where must you stop?
When the lights begin to flash, stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate. Stay stopped until the gate rises and the lights stop flashing.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 95
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How much space must you leave when you pass a bicyclist or another vulnerable road user?
When you pass a vulnerable road user, such as a bicyclist, pedestrian or roadside worker, you must leave a safe passing distance of at least four feet.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 57
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A school bus coming toward you on a two-lane road stops with its red lights flashing and its stop sign out. What must you do?
You must stop for a school bus with flashing lights and its stop sign out, whichever side of the road you are on. The only exception is a divided highway with a barrier.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 113
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A trolley is letting passengers on or off. You must not drive closer than how many feet to its passenger step?
State law says you must not drive closer than eight feet to a trolley's passenger step while it is letting passengers on or off.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 115
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On a four-lane highway with two lanes in your direction, a police car is stopped ahead with its emergency lights flashing. What must you do?
The move-over law requires you to slow to a reasonable and safe speed and, on a highway with at least four lanes, safely move over to leave an open lane beside the stopped emergency vehicle.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 128
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Your rear tires start skidding to the left. Which way should you turn the steering wheel?
In a skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. If the rear tires slide left, steer left. Ease off the gas and do not hit the brakes.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 131
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Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?
If a train is coming, get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and move as far from the tracks as you can, then call 911.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 133
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You are in a crash that causes an injury or $1,000 or more in property damage. How soon must you file a report with the RMV?
You must file a written crash report with the RMV within five days of any crash that kills or hurts someone or causes $1,000 or more in property damage.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 139
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A Junior Operator commits a first speeding offense. How long is the license suspension?
A Junior Operator's license is suspended for 90 days for a first speeding offense and for one year for any later speeding offense.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 19
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An adult driver is found guilty of three speeding violations within 12 months. How long is the automatic license suspension?
Three speeding violations within a 12-month period bring an automatic 30-day license suspension. The 12 months start when you pay or are found guilty for the first citation.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 67
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What is the license suspension for a Junior Operator's first violation of the passenger or night driving restriction?
Breaking the passenger or night restriction brings a 60-day suspension for a first offense, 180 days for a second offense, and one year for later offenses.
Massachusetts Driver's Manual, page 19
Questions to review
The real Massachusetts test at a glance
- Questions
- 25
- Correct answers to pass
- 1872% or better
- Minimum permit age
- 16 years
- Handbook
- Revised April 2026Massachusetts Driver's Manual
Sources: mass.gov · mass.gov · Massachusetts Driver's Manual. Checked November 15, 2026.
What these 50 questions cover
Every question is tied to a page of the Massachusetts Driver's Manual. After each answer you see the rule and the page.
The real test. 25 multiple-choice questions with a 25-minute time limit, taken at an RMV Service Center when you submit your application or online afterwards.
If you fail. If you fail the exam, the $30 learner's permit exam fee is charged again for another exam.
- Road signs5
- Permit and license rules5
- Safe driving5
- Traffic signals4
- Right-of-way4
- Speed limits4
- Alcohol and drugs4
- Sharing the road4
- Pavement markings3
- Turning and passing3
- Parking3
- Emergencies3
- Penalties3
Massachusetts permit test questions
How many questions are on the Massachusetts permit test?
How many questions can you miss on the Massachusetts permit test?
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Massachusetts?
What happens if you fail the Massachusetts permit test?
Are these the real Massachusetts test questions?
- What it is
- Practice questions for the Massachusetts RMV knowledge test, with the same length and pass mark.
- What it is not
- Not the official test and not the real test questions. Not affiliated with the Massachusetts RMV.
- Source
- Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Revised April 2026
- Source checked
- November 15, 2026
- Made by
- The Appcellent team
- Updated
- November 2026