The Massachusetts permit test has 25 questions, and you need 18 correct to pass, which is 72%. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) lets you take it at a Service Center or online at home, after you visit a Service Center or AAA location with your documents.
Massachusetts permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (mass.gov/rmv) |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Questions | 25 |
| Pass mark | 18 correct (72%) |
| Time limit | 25 minutes |
| Where | RMV Service Center, AAA location for members, or online at home |
| Online test | Yes, within 60 days of your Service Center visit, with a webcam and strict rules |
| Fee | $30 learner's permit application fee. A retake costs another $30 |
| Languages | More than 30, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese. American Sign Language is offered at Service Centers only |
How many questions are on the Massachusetts permit test?
The RMV exam has 25 questions, and you must answer 18 correctly. That means you can get seven wrong and still pass. You have 25 minutes, so about a minute per question.
Is the Massachusetts permit test hard?
The 72% pass mark is lower than in many states, but people still fail. The clock is strict, and the test includes topics that new drivers rarely study: alcohol penalties, license suspensions and Junior Operator License (JOL) violations. If you learn those and the signs, the test is very passable.
What's on the Massachusetts permit test
The RMV lists rules of the road, road sign identification, alcohol misuse, suspensions and JOL violations, plus sharing the road with people who are visually impaired, bicyclists and pedestrians. The questions come from the Massachusetts Class D Driver's Manual.
- School buses: stop for flashing red lights. The only exception is a divided highway separated by a physical barrier.
- Alcohol: 0.08 for drivers 21 and older, and 0.02 for drivers under 21.
- Speed: 30 mph in thickly settled or business districts unless posted, and 20 mph in school zones.
- Pass bicyclists and pedestrians with at least 4 feet of space.
- Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile device while driving, even hands-free.
- JOL suspensions: for example, 60 days for a first passenger-restriction offense and 90 days for a first speeding offense.
Use the RMV as your source
Search for the rmv permit test and you will find town websites and copied pages near the top. They can help, but the RMV pages on mass.gov and the current driver's manual are the official source, so check any rule there.
Massachusetts asks you to give pedestrians and bicyclists 4 feet when passing. Many other states use 3 feet, so label your notes.
How to study for the Massachusetts permit test
- Download the Class D Driver's Manual from mass.gov and read one chapter a day.
- Spend extra time on alcohol penalties, suspensions and JOL rules.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take Massachusetts permit test practice quizzes on a 25-minute timer and note every miss.
- Try the RMV's own practice exam on mass.gov/rmv before the real one.
What to bring and how to book
Make an appointment at an RMV Service Center, or at a AAA location if you are a member. Everyone visits in person first, even if you plan to test online.
- Your completed learner's permit application.
- The identity and residency documents on the RMV's identification requirements page.
- If you are under 18, written consent from a parent or guardian signed on the application. Anyone other than a parent needs papers showing their authority.
- The $30 fee. Cash, check, money order and cards are accepted, but methods vary by location.
- Be ready for a vision screening for field of vision and basic colors.
Can you take the Massachusetts permit test online?
Yes. After your in-person visit, the RMV sends login details and you have 60 days to take the exam online. The rules are strict, so read them before you start:
- Use a computer with a working camera that stays on. Phones and tablets are not allowed.
- Use Chrome 97, Edge 94 or newer. Close other windows and turn off pop-ups.
- Be the only person in the room: no other adults, children or pets. The RMV takes random photos.
- Keep your face clear: no hats, masks or sunglasses. Leave phones and smartwatches in another room.
- No manual, notes or internet searches.
You fail automatically if you go more than 2 minutes without clicking an answer, run past 25 minutes, or leave the browser window. Cheating means failing and a 60-day ban on holding any license or permit. If your computer cannot meet the rules, take the test at a Service Center instead.
What happens if you fail the Massachusetts permit test?
You can retake the exam after paying another $30 fee through your myRMV profile. The RMV does not publish a waiting period or a limit on attempts. Use the gap to review the topics you missed, especially JOL and alcohol rules.
Massachusetts permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Massachusetts permit test?
25 questions, with a 25-minute time limit.
How many questions can you get wrong on the Massachusetts permit test?
Seven. You need 18 correct out of 25 to pass.
Is the Massachusetts permit test hard?
The 72% pass mark is fair, but the time limit is strict and the test covers alcohol penalties and JOL suspensions that many people skip.
Can you take your permit test online in Massachusetts?
Yes. After an in-person visit, you get 60 days to take it online on a computer with a camera, alone in the room.
How much does the Massachusetts permit test cost?
The learner's permit application fee is $30, and each retake costs another $30.
