Massachusetts Drivers Education

For those teens who apply for their first license after September of 2007, changes have gone into effect which will change when you can actually obtain your drivers license.

You just turned 16 and are ready to obtain your learner's permit. This is what you need to know before planning a trip with your parent or guardian to your local Registry branch to obtain your permit. First, you will need to study all of the information in the driver's manual; you will need to bring a completed application to a full service branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, if you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign your application, you will be required to pay a written test fee and meet all identification requirements. Additionally, you will be asked to submit to a vision screening test, and you will need to answer 14 of the 20 questions on a written test accurately.

Once you have met these requirements, you will be given a learner’s permit which is valid for two (2) years, and allows you to practice so that you will be prepared for a road test for your Junior Operator’s License. At all times while you are a permit holder, you must carry your permit with you when you are driving, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 and has had their license for at least one year, and if you are under the age of 18, you may not drive between 12am and 5am unless you are accompanied by your parent or guardian who is properly licensed.

To obtain your Juniors Operators Licensing you must be at least 16 ½, have held your permit for six (6) months and you are required to take Basic driver's education course which must include 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of on-road driving as well as 6 hours of on-road observation. In addition, supervised driving now requires 40 hours of parent/guardian participation. Your parents now must also participate in your training and learn restrictions, penalties and tips for safe during this period. If you pass an advanced drivers training course, this time is reduced to 30 hours.

While you are the holder of a Junior Operators License, you must not have anyone in the car with you under the age of 18 (except an immediate family member) unless you are accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21 who has had their license at least one year and occupies the seat beside you. The restrictions on driving between 12:30 am and 5 am still do apply to you – however you may drive during those hours with a parent regardless of whether they have a driver’s license or not.

Another important change to Massachusetts law which affects everyone under the age of 21, if you are convicted of any alcohol or drug related offenses whether you are operating a vehicle or not, your license will be suspended for six months or up to five years depending on the offense.

Prior to obtaining your regular drivers license any violations on your Junior Operators License will result in severe penalties which may result in significant delays in obtaining a full drivers license.