Massachusetts DMV practice test

Official handbook

Key numbers from the handbook

Questions about the Massachusetts test

All 54 questions and answers

Read the bank before a mock test. Each answer names the handbook section and the printed page.

1. 1.How many questions are on the Massachusetts learner's permit exam?

   Permit and Test

   • 25

   Each learner's permit exam has 25 multiple-choice questions. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

2. 2.How many answers do you need to pass the learner's permit exam?

   Permit and Test

   • 18 of 25 within 25 minutes

   You must answer 18 questions correctly within 25 minutes. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

3. 3.About how long do you get for each question on the Massachusetts permit exam?

   Permit and Test

   • About one minute

   The RMV says you have about one minute to answer each question. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

4. 4.What topics does the learner's permit exam cover?

   Permit and Test

   • Alcohol misuse, suspensions, JOL violations, rules of the road and road signs

   The exam covers alcohol misuse, suspensions, JOL violations, the rules of the road and signs. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

5. 5.May you bring the driver's manual into the testing area?

   Permit and Test

   • No, manuals and other reference material cannot be used in the testing area

   Driver's manuals and other reference materials cannot be used during the exam. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

6. 6.Can you take the learner's permit exam online in Massachusetts?

   Permit and Test

   • Yes, after you submit your application at a service center

   After visiting a service center you may take the exam online at Mass.Gov/RMV. Handbook: Learner's Permit Exam Procedures, page 16.

7. 7.Who may apply for a Massachusetts licence?

   Licensing

   • Massachusetts residents at least 16 whose licence has not been revoked

   You must be a resident of at least 16 with no revoked licence or right to operate. Handbook: Who is Eligible for a Massachusetts License?, page 3.

8. 8.No person under what age may drive in Massachusetts, whatever their home licence says?

   Licensing

   • 16

   No person under 16 may drive in Massachusetts, even with a foreign licence or permit. Handbook: Age Requirement, page 3.

9. 9.How long must you have held a learner's permit before you can get a Class D licence?

   Licensing

   • Six consecutive months in good standing

   You need 16 1/2 and six consecutive months with the permit in good standing. Handbook: Age Requirement, page 3.

10. 10.Who may ride in the passenger seat while you drive on a Class D learner's permit?

    Licensing

    • A licensed operator at least 21 years old, validly licensed, with at least one year of driving experience

    The supervising operator must be at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience. Handbook: Driving With Your Permit, page 18.

11. 11.As a driver under 18 with a permit, when may you not drive?

    Licensing

    • Between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a parent or legal guardian with a year of driving experience is with you

    Drivers under 18 may not drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. without a qualifying parent or guardian. Handbook: Driving With Your Permit, page 18.

12. 12.What is the fundamental speed law in Massachusetts?

    Speed

    • Never travel so fast that it is not safe

    You must never travel so fast that it is not safe, whatever the posted limit. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 79.

13. 13.Which factors must your speed be based on?

    Speed

    • Traffic, road, weather and visibility conditions, and pedestrians or bicyclists

    The manual lists traffic, road and weather conditions, visibility, pedestrians and bicyclists. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 79.

14. 14.You are driving 40 mph in a heavy rainstorm on a 50 mph road. What can happen?

    Speed

    • You can be ticketed for driving too fast

    Driving too fast for conditions is an offence even below the posted limit. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 80.

15. 15.What speed limit applies on roads near schools in Massachusetts?

    Speed

    • 20 mph

    The speed limit on roads near schools is 20 mph. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 80.

16. 16.What does a thickly settled district mean?

    Speed

    • An area with buildings fewer than 200 feet apart for a quarter mile or more

    Buildings fewer than 200 feet apart for a quarter mile or more makes a thickly settled district. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 80.

17. 17.What speed limit may a thickly settled district have unless posted otherwise?

    Speed

    • 25 mph

    Some communities have a thickly settled limit of 25 mph unless posted otherwise. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 80.

18. 18.What speed limits do limited-access highways such as interstates carry in Massachusetts?

    Speed

    • 50 to 65 mph

    Limited-access highways have speed limits from 50 to 65 mph; smaller highways are 55 or lower. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 79.

19. 19.How is a school zone speed limit posted?

    Speed

    • On signs with flashing yellow lights or posted for certain hours of the day

    School zone limits may be posted with flashing yellow lights or for set hours. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 80.

20. 20.What is the three-second rule in the Massachusetts manual?

    Stopping and Following

    • Keep three seconds of gap from the vehicle ahead, counted against a fixed object

    Pick an object ahead; when the vehicle ahead reaches it, count one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. Handbook: Safe Distances Around Your Car, page 43.

21. 21.What should you do if you reach the object before you finish counting to three?

    Stopping and Following

    • Slow down until you have enough distance

    Reaching the object before three means you are too close; slow down. Handbook: Safe Distances Around Your Car, page 43.

22. 22.How long does it take to react and step on the brake pedal?

    Stopping and Following

    • About three-quarters of a second

    Reaction time is about three-quarters of a second. Handbook: Braking and Stopping, page 44.

23. 23.What is your total stopping distance at 50 mph?

    Stopping and Following

    • About 215 feet

    At 50 mph, 55 feet of reaction distance plus 160 feet of braking is about 215 feet. Handbook: Braking and Stopping, page 44.

24. 24.How far does a vehicle travel at 50 mph while you are reacting?

    Stopping and Following

    • 55 feet

    At 50 mph you go another 55 feet in the reaction time. Handbook: Braking and Stopping, page 44.

25. 25.Which of these is a hazard for which you should slow down?

    Stopping and Following

    • Drivers backing out of driveways and children playing near the road

    The manual lists blind driveways, drivers backing out and children playing near the road as hazards. Handbook: Braking and Stopping, page 44.

26. 26.Your brakes and tyres are working on a dry, level road. How far does it take to stop from 60 mph?

    Stopping and Following

    • About 292 feet

    At 60 mph it takes about 292 feet to react, brake and stop safely. Handbook: Braking and Stopping, page 44.

27. 27.At what BAC do all drivers fail a chemical test in Massachusetts?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • 0.08

    All drivers fail the test at a BAC of 0.08 or greater. Handbook: License Suspension Periods for Failed Chemical Tests, page 69.

28. 28.At what BAC can a driver under 21 face administrative sanctions?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • As low as 0.02

    Drivers under 21 face administrative sanctions for a BAC as low as 0.02. Handbook: License Suspension Periods for Failed Chemical Tests, page 69.

29. 29.What is the suspension for a driver over 21 who fails a chemical test?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • 30 days or until the court case ends, whichever is shorter

    Drivers over 21 are suspended for 30 days or until the case concludes, whichever is shorter. Handbook: License Suspension Periods for Failed Chemical Tests, page 69.

30. 30.What extra suspension applies to a driver aged 18 to 21 who fails a chemical test?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • 30 days plus an additional 180 days

    Drivers 18 to 21 get 30 days plus an additional 180 days, which can be waived with an approved alcohol education programme. Handbook: License Suspension Periods for Failed Chemical Tests, page 69.

31. 31.What is the fine for having an open alcoholic drink in your vehicle?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • $100 to $500

    An open container conviction carries a $100 to $500 fine. Handbook: Open Container Law, page 74.

32. 32.What may a driver under 21 not do with alcohol?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • Buy it, have someone buy it, or possess or carry it unless a parent or guardian is with them

    Under 21 you may not buy, have bought, possess, carry or transport alcohol unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Handbook: Buying, Possessing, or Transporting Alcohol, page 74.

33. 33.How long is your licence suspended for breaking the under-21 alcohol possession or purchase laws?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • 90 days to one year

    The suspension for those offences is 90 days to one year. Handbook: Buying, Possessing, or Transporting Alcohol, page 74.

34. 34.What happens if a driver under 21 buys or tries to buy alcohol?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • A 180-day suspension plus fines

    Buying or trying to buy alcohol under 21 brings a 180-day suspension. Handbook: Buying, Possessing, or Transporting Alcohol, page 74.

35. 35.How long is your licence suspended for using a false licence or ID, even without a conviction?

    Alcohol and the Law

    • Up to six months

    The RMV can suspend your licence for up to six months without a conviction; a conviction means a year. Handbook: False or Altered Licenses/Identification Cards, page 74.

36. 36.Who must wear a safety belt in a Massachusetts passenger vehicle?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Everyone, in every seat

    Every person in a passenger vehicle must wear a belt or sit in a child restraint. Handbook: Safety/Seat Belt Law, page 35.

37. 37.By how much does wearing a belt correctly lower the chance of death or serious injury?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • About 50 percent

    Correctly worn belts lower that chance by about 50 percent. Handbook: Safety/Seat Belt Law, page 35.

38. 38.What must an infant or small child do in a car?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Sit in a federally approved child passenger restraint

    Infants and small children must sit in a federally approved child passenger restraint. Handbook: Child Passenger Restraints, page 36.

39. 39.What is the fine for a first offence of using a hand-held phone while driving in Massachusetts?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • $100

    The first offence fine is $100. Handbook: Penalties for Violating the Law, page 40.

40. 40.Which drivers may not use any mobile electronic device while driving, other than for an emergency?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Drivers under 18

    Drivers under 18 cannot use any mobile electronic device for any reason while driving. Handbook: Drivers Under 18, page 40.

41. 41.If you are 18 or older, what may you do with an earplug for a cell phone?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Use one earplug

    Drivers 18 or older may use one earplug with a cell phone. Handbook: Headphones, page 39.

42. 42.Where must a television in a vehicle be?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Behind the front seat and not visible to the driver

    A television must be behind the front seat and out of the driver's view. Handbook: Televisions, page 39.

43. 43.Which children may not ride in the bed of a pickup truck?

    Seat Belts and Phones

    • Children under 12

    Children under 12 may not ride in pickup truck beds, and never above five mph. Handbook: Truck Beds, page 39.

44. 44.How far away must your plate number be visible at night?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • 60 feet

    Your plate number must be visible from 60 feet at night. Handbook: License Plates, page 43.

45. 45.Where may a registration sticker be placed?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Only in the upper right corner

    Registration stickers may only go in the upper right corner of the plate. Handbook: License Plates, page 43.

46. 46.What should you do before opening your door when parked at the kerb?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Check carefully for bicycles or mopeds

    Check carefully for bicycles and mopeds before opening your door. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Bicyclists, page 51.

47. 47.What is a safe sign to give a bicyclist at night who is coming towards you?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Dim your headlights

    Dim your headlights at night if a bicyclist is coming toward you. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Bicyclists, page 51.

48. 48.How often do studies show drivers overlook motorcycles?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Drivers often overlook motorcycles and focus on larger vehicles

    Drivers often overlook motorcycles and focus on larger vehicles. Handbook: Motorcycles, page 51.

49. 49.About what share of fatal motorcycle crashes involve a motorcycle hit by another vehicle?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • About half

    About half of fatal motorcycle crashes involve a motorcycle struck by another vehicle. Handbook: Motorcycles, page 51.

50. 50.What should you do before passing a truck or bus that wants to pass you?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Move over when it is safe to do so

    Move over when it is safe so the truck or bus can pass. Handbook: Sharing the Road, page 106.

51. 51.When may you turn right on a red light in Massachusetts?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, after stopping and giving way to pedestrians and traffic

    You may turn right on red unless a sign forbids it, after stopping and checking. Handbook: Rules of the Road, page 98.

52. 52.Which items does the manual recommend keeping in your car?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Reflective vest, warning triangles, first aid kit, glass breaker and cloths

    The recommended kit includes a vest, triangles, first aid kit, glass breaker and white and red cloths. Handbook: Car Safety Kits, page 35.

53. 53.What should be in your car for Massachusetts winters?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • Winter tires, an ice scraper, jumper cables and warm clothing

    Winter tires, an ice scraper, jumper cables and extra warm clothing are recommended. Handbook: Car Safety Kits, page 35.

54. 54.What does Massachusetts law say about wearing headphones while driving?

    Vehicle and Signs

    • It is illegal to wear a headset or headphones that restrict your attention while driving

    It is illegal to wear a radio headset, headphones or similar device that restricts your attention. Handbook: Headphones, page 39.

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