Massachusetts RMV License Test & Permit Practice 2026

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#1. This is:

A regulatory speed limit sign

A. A regulatory speed limit sign

An advisory speed sign

B. An advisory speed sign

Regulatory Speed Limit sign. It shows the maximum speed you are allowed to travel.

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#2. What does this sign mean?

There will be fewer lanes ahead

A. There will be fewer lanes ahead

The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways

B. The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways

The divided highway on which you are traveling ends ahead

C. The divided highway on which you are traveling ends ahead

Divided highway ends. The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

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#3. Drivers entering a roundabout or rotary:

Have the right of way if they arrive first

A. Have the right of way if they arrive first

Must always stop before entering

B. Must always stop before entering

Must yield to drivers already in the rotary

C. Must yield to drivers already in the rotary

There are yield signs at the entrance to a rotary. Always yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in a rotary or roundabout (unless told differently by signs or police officers). You must also yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who are legally crossing the road.

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#4. If arriving at the scene of an accident where no police or emergency vehicles have arrived, a driver should:

Stop and park off the road

A. Stop and park off the road

Check to see if anyone is injured

B. Check to see if anyone is injured

Both A. and B.

C. Both A. and B.

If you see a crash and there are no police or emergency vehicles:

• Park your car off the road.
• Check to see if anyone is injured.
• Call the police.
• Warn other drivers.
• Give aid
• If possible, move all vehicles to the side of the road.
• Turn off the ignition of all vehicles.

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#5. If you see orange construction signs and cones on a highway, you must always:

Decrease your following distance to any car ahead

A. Decrease your following distance to any car ahead

Slow down to watch the ongoing work

B. Slow down to watch the ongoing work

Stay alert and proceed carefully

C. Stay alert and proceed carefully

You must take extra care to ensure the safety of anyone working on a roadway. Orange warning signs and work equipment usually mean that people are on foot nearby. Follow road work signs carefully and stay alert. Look for sudden changes in road direction or condition. Be prepared to stop.

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#6. Skidding is mainly caused by

The driver

A. The driver

The road

B. The road

The vehicle

C. The vehicle

Skids are caused by drivers traveling too fast for the conditions. By judging weather and road conditions and knowing where skids are likely to occur, such as on curves or bridges, most skids can be avoided.

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#7. Massachusetts law states that an insurance company's merit rating plan cannot:

Use your driving record when determining insurance premiums

A. Use your driving record when determining insurance premiums

Use any at-fault accident or traffic violation that is greater than three years old

B. Use any at-fault accident or traffic violation that is greater than three years old

Increase premiums for at-fault accidents or traffic violations for more than five years

C. Increase premiums for at-fault accidents or traffic violations for more than five years

Your insurer can determine if and how it will impose surcharges on your premium for traffic violations and at-fault accidents and apply discounts for good driving.

Massachusetts law states that an insurance company’s merit rating plan cannot:

• Use any at-fault accident or traffic violation that is greater than six years old from the policy effective date, or
• Increase premiums for at-fault accidents or traffic violations for more than five years.

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#8. You are preparing to pass another vehicle when the vehicle ahead of you stops at a crosswalk. What should you do?

Move completely into the left lane and pass

A. Move completely into the left lane and pass

Change lanes, look carefully, and pass slowly

B. Change lanes, look carefully, and pass slowly

Stop before the crosswalk

C. Stop before the crosswalk

Never pass another stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.

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#9. Upon hearing a siren of an emergency vehicle, you must:

Keep position and stop quickly where you are

A. Keep position and stop quickly where you are

Move as far right as possible and stop

B. Move as far right as possible and stop

Increase speed and keep out of the way

C. Increase speed and keep out of the way

Always yield the right-of-way to fire engines, ambulances, police cars, and other emergency vehicles that are using a siren and/or emergency flashing lights. If an emergency vehicle is coming from any direction, you must pull as close as possible to the right side of the road. Stop until the vehicle has passed.

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#10. You must wear your safety belt:

Unless your car was built before 1988

A. Unless your car was built before 1988

Unless your car has airbags

B. Unless your car has airbags

And failure to do so may result in a ticket

C. And failure to do so may result in a ticket

Any driver who is not wearing a safety belt can be fined $25. Any passenger 16 years old or older who is not wearing a safety belt can be fined $25. A driver can also be fined $25 for each passenger age 12, 13, 14, or 15 who is not wearing a safety belt.

The following people do not need to wear safety belts:

• Drivers and passengers of vehicles made before July 1966
• Drivers of taxis, liveries, tractors, buses, and trucks with gross weights of 18,000 pounds or more (However, drivers of some commercial motor vehicles do need to wear safety belts.)
• Passengers of emergency vehicles and drivers of police and fire vehicles
• An employee of the U.S. Postal Service who is driving a motor vehicle while working
• A person who physically cannot wear a safety belt because of a disability. A physician must certify that the person has this disability.

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#11. You approach this sign. What should you expect ahead?

An intersection

A. An intersection

A hospital

B. A hospital

A railroad crossing

C. A railroad crossing

Cross road. A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.

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#12. All of the following are dangerous while driving. Which is also illegal?

Use cruise control in residential areas

A. Use cruise control in residential areas

Wearing a headset that covers both ears

B. Wearing a headset that covers both ears

Having one or more interior lights on

C. Having one or more interior lights on

It is illegal to wear a radio headset or any headphones while driving. If you are 18 or older, you can use one earplug for use with a cell phone.

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#13. When driving on a slippery surface such as snow or ice, you should:

Brake gently

A. Brake gently

Reduce your speed

B. Reduce your speed

Both A. and B.

C. Both A. and B.

Driving in winter is difficult and dangerous for new and experienced drivers. Motor vehicles run very differently on ice and snow than on warm, dry pavement.

• Lower your speed.
• Drive carefully.
• Accelerate slowly.
• Brake early and gently.
• Make turns at low speed.
• Make more space between your vehicle and others.

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#14. The three-second rule refers to how you should:

Turn at stop signs

A. Turn at stop signs

Cross an intersection

B. Cross an intersection

Follow another vehicle

C. Follow another vehicle

The three-second rule refers to a following distance. Always maintain enough distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Use the three-second rule as a minimum safe distance during good road conditions. Count to at least four seconds in poorer conditions, when driving on the highway, and when following a motorcycle.

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#15. What does this sign mean?

There is a bus stop ahead

A. There is a bus stop ahead

There is a work zone ahead

B. There is a work zone ahead

All traffic must stop ahead

C. All traffic must stop ahead

Stop sign ahead. When you come to this sign, slow down to be ready to stop at the stop sign.

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#16. True or false? After drinking alcohol, you can always drive safely if you just try to be careful and concentrate.

True

A. True

False

B. False

Even one alcoholic drink in an hour can affect your driving. It can be much worse if you are tired, emotionally upset, or have not eaten. No one is immune to alcohol. It does not matter how much you try to be careful or concentrate. There is still a drug inside your body affecting you physically and mentally.

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#17. What is generally true about large trucks?

They have smaller blind spots than most cars

A. They have smaller blind spots than most cars

They need less room to maneuver

B. They need less room to maneuver

They have longer stopping distances than most cars

C. They have longer stopping distances than most cars

Large vehicles carry more weight and need much more space to stop safely. A large truck may need twice as much distance to stop as an automobile or a motorcycle, especially when roads are wet or icy.

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#18. When driving in fog, you should turn on:

Parking lights

A. Parking lights

High beam headlights

B. High beam headlights

Low beam headlights

C. Low beam headlights

In fog, use your low beam headlights to reduce glare. Light from high beams will reflect back, causing glare and making it more difficult to see ahead.

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#19. To avoid highway hypnosis on a long trip, you should:

Turn off radio and avoid irregular sounds

A. Turn off radio and avoid irregular sounds

Always keep your car windows closed

B. Always keep your car windows closed

Stop and stretch every two hours or every 100 miles

C. Stop and stretch every two hours or every 100 miles

Avoid highway hypnosis. If you have been driving for a long time and feel tired, you should get off the highway at the next exit, rest stop, or service area. When driving far, stop and take regular breaks every two hours or every 100 miles.

Never drive if you are sleepy or drowsy.

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#20. A vertical rectangular road sign usually indicates:

A regulation you must obey

A. A regulation you must obey

A general warning

B. A general warning

A school crossing

C. A school crossing

Vertical signs, including square signs, are generally used for regulatory signs. They give instructions or tell you the rules of the road. Some warning signs may also have this shape.

In the horizontal position, the signs generally give directions or information.

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#21. When a traffic signal is showing a flashing red circle, you must:

Stop completely and remain stopped until a green signal appears

A. Stop completely and remain stopped until a green signal appears

Stop completely, only proceed when you can do so safely

B. Stop completely, only proceed when you can do so safely

Proceed as normal, crossing traffic must always stop

C. Proceed as normal, crossing traffic must always stop

A flashing red circle means the same as a stop sign. Come to a complete stop. Obey the right-of-way laws and proceed when it is safe. You must stop before the line if there is a white stop line or crosswalk line.

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#22. A holder of a class D learner's permit must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is:

A family member

A. A family member

A parent or guardian

B. A parent or guardian

At least 21 years old

C. At least 21 years old

You must be accompanied by a licensed operator who occupies the passenger seat next to you and is at least 21 years old, holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state, and has at least one year of driving experience.

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#23. At a fire hydrant, parking is not allowed:

Within 10 feet

A. Within 10 feet

Within 20 feet

B. Within 20 feet

Within 30 feet

C. Within 30 feet

Never park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

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#24. If a school bus stops on the other side of a two-lane roadway and activates flashing red lights, you must:

Slow down and pass carefully

A. Slow down and pass carefully

Always stop

B. Always stop

Stop only as long as children are crossing the street

C. Stop only as long as children are crossing the street

If a school bus or a school pupil transport vehicle has its lights flashing and a stop sign extended, you must stop. It is the law. It does not matter which side of the road you are traveling on.

The only exception to this law is if a school bus has stopped on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier between travel directions. In this case, you do not have to stop.

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#25. This pavement symbol marks:

A lane shared by bicyclists and motorists

A. A lane shared by bicyclists and motorists

A U.S. bicycle route

B. A U.S. bicycle route

A bicycle crossing

C. A bicycle crossing

Shared Lane Markings (also known as Sharrows) help bicyclists position themselves in the right location and in the right direction in a lane that is shared with motor vehicles. By following these markings, bicyclists can avoid being hit by the open door of a parked vehicle or getting squeezed next to a motor vehicle in a narrow lane.

When you see a Shared Lane Marking, you must look out for the presence of bicyclists and make sure that you leave them enough space when passing. Shared Lane Markings are not the same as the bicycle symbols that are used to mark bicycle lanes.

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Facts about Your Massachusetts RMV Knowledge Test

This Massachusetts (MA) Practice Test

Each practice test for the Massachusetts driver’s license or instruction permit on this website has 25 random questions from an extensive database.

The database has more than 1,000 questions, and answers are available for you – at no cost! You don’t need an account or sign up to get all the test answers.

Our unlimited tests will help you cover all essential RMV Driver’s Manual areas and learn much faster. It is a proven way of passing the MA RMV knowledge exam with a small effort.

Before you do anything else, you should get the latest version of the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual . Everything you need to know for your written test is in this manual. Make sure you read it.

Keeping the driver’s manual handy when you take these practice tests is also a good idea. Look up more facts as you go along.

Take Practice Tests after Studying the Manual

Start with the practice tests only after studying all chapters in the manual.

After each practice question, you will see the correct answer. If you miss a question, there will also be a short explanation. Use this information to learn more or look up the corresponding information in the manual.

When you need more clarification about an answer, you should always use the manual as a cross-reference.

You can take as many practice tests as you want and need to prepare. There is no limit, and each set of questions will differ from the previous one.

You can find some more tips on how to study here: Study Tactics .

Aim for a High Score on the Practice Tests

The passing score in Massachusetts is 72 percent, which is lower than many other states . But it doesn’t mean that the test is easy.

You’ll need to answer 18 questions correctly within the allotted 25 minutes. The allotted time is usually more than enough to pass the examination.

If you have a cognitive or physical disability that prevents you from finishing a test within 25 minutes, you may request an alternative test with extended time.

There may also be an opportunity to ask for a paper or person-to-person oral exam.

When you practice with these sample tests, it is a good idea to aim higher than 18 correct answers, and it is best if you stay at it until you reach a score of 100 percent on each test.

That way, you can feel confident that you will pass the examination.

What is on the Massachusetts RMV Test?

Topics covered on the real permit exam include effects of alcohol and drugs, license suspensions, and JOL restrictions and violations .

You must also know common rules of the roads, traffic lights , pavement markings , and road signs. Make sure you fully understand these topics.

Who Must Take the MA Written Knowledge Test?

  All first-time applicants.

When you apply for your first license, you must always start with a MA learner’s permit, regardless of age.

  If you have a license that has been suspended/revoked for more than two years.

If your suspension period is two years or more, you must take a complete exam (learner’s permit exam and road test) to reinstate your suspended/revoked learner’s permit or driver’s license.

  If you have a license that has been suspended/revoked for less than two years.

Even if your suspension period is less than two years, an RMV hearings officer may decide that you must take both the knowledge exam and the road test again.

  If you have an expired license from Massachusetts or another state.

If you let your license expire for more than a year, RMV will ask you to retake all tests.

  If you have an expired license from Canada, Mexico, or the US Territories.

You must take all tests if you hold an expired license from Canada, Mexico, or the US Territories and that license expired more than a year ago.

Suppose the license is valid or expired less than a year ago. In that case, you must provide a certified driving record (30 days old or less) from the country or territory. You must also have a valid immigration status for at least 12 months. In such a case, RMV waives the knowledge and road tests.

  If you have a license from another foreign country.

If you have a valid license from another country, RMV will require you to take all tests.

Exceptions exist for licenses from France, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. Read more: Information for converting certain foreign driver’s licenses

When is the Knowledge Test Waived?

Applicants with a valid license from any other state, District of Columbia, U.S. territory, Canada, or Mexico can transfer their driver’s license to a Massachusetts license without taking the test.

Their license must be valid or expired less than a year ago.

More about the MA Knowledge Test

All RMV branches offer computer-based testing stations.

Learner’s permit exams can also be taken online at Mass.Gov/RMV after
visiting a service center.

The automated tests are available in the following languages:

Audio support is also available.

You change your language setting when you start the test.

You can skip questions during the test if unsure about the answer. You can skip up to 7 questions. If you don’t reach the passing score (18 correct answers), the skipped questions will return at the end of the test. If you already have a passing score, the skipped questions will not return.

Suppose you have any disability that may prevent you from taking the exam through an automated testing station or from your home. In that case, you may request an alternative extended time, paper, or person-to-person oral exam. Person-to-person oral exams are currently only available in English and may only be available at some centers.

Test questions usually have four choices; read all of them carefully.

Unlike the actual test, these practice tests typically have three options.

How to Apply for the MA Learner’s Permit

When applying for your first permit, you must start the application online .

RMV will then inform you to bring required documents and completed application to a RMV Service Center .

If you aren’t a US citizen, you must show proof of your legal presence with a green card or VISA documents.

Please ensure you have all the necessary documents to avoid additional hassle at the service center.

What Happens if You Fail the Test?

If you fail the online test at home, you will get instructions on paying for it and taking a new test online at the end of the exam.

If you fail the test at a service center, you can also re-test the same day, but these tests may be subject to availability.

If you want to visit the service center, you should make an appointment. You can make it online if you like.

Is the MA Knowledge Exam Timed?

As mentioned, online tests and tests at a service center have a time limit. You have 25 minutes to complete the test. If you feel that 25 minutes isn’t enough, you can rest assured that 25 minutes is usually more than enough. Most test takers finish the test in less than 15 minutes.

WARNING: Don’t Cheat on Your Exam

Remember, if an examiner catches you cheating on an exam, you must wait for 60 days before you can take a re-test. In severe cases of cheating, you may be subject to further investigation and denied a driver’s license or learner’s permit.

Manuals or other reference materials are not allowed in the testing area at a service center or when taking the test at home.

Focus on learning everything you need to pass the exam. It is easy; you will feel better and be a safer driver.

Even if the passing score on the MA test is among the lowest in the country, the test is challenging, so you must prepare well.

What should I do to pass my permit test in Massachusetts?

Let’s start by reading the MA Driver’s Manual. You will find everything you need to learn in this manual.

An active learning strategy with practice tests, driver education classes, and sharing experiences with others will also help you.

After Passing the Knowledge Test

If you pass the knowledge test, your score is valid for six months, and you must complete your road test within these six months.

With the learner’s permit, you can start practicing driving. When you practice driving, you must always carry your learner’s permit.

You must always be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 when you are behind the wheel. Your supervising driver must also have at least one year of driving experience and sit beside you.

If you are under 18, you may only drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. if the supervising driver is your parent or legal guardian.

After six months and at least 40 hours of supervised driving (30 hours if you completed a driver skills development program), you are ready for your intermediate license, the Massachusetts Junior Operator License (JOL)