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The Massachusetts learner’s permit exam has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need 18 correct to pass, and you get 25 minutes. You can take it at an RMV Service Center or online at home within 60 days of your Service Center visit. This guide covers what is on the exam, the rules that cause an automatic fail online, the $30 fee and what happens if you fail.
Massachusetts permit test at a glance
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Questions | 25 multiple choice |
| Pass mark | 18 correct |
| Time limit | 25 minutes (about 1 minute per question) |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Fee | $30, charged again for each new attempt (as of November 2026) |
| Where | Service Center, or online within 60 days of your Service Center visit |
| Languages | English and more than 30 others, plus an audio option |
| Also required | Vision screening at the Service Center, or an RMV Vision Screening Certificate from your eye doctor |
What is on the Massachusetts permit exam?
Questions come from the Class D Driver’s Manual. The RMV lists these topics:
- Rules of the road and identifying road signs
- Alcohol and drugs: what happens if you drive under the influence
- License suspensions
- The Junior Operator Law and JOL violations
- Sharing the road with people who are visually impaired, bicyclists and pedestrians
Study the Massachusetts-specific rules closely: the JOL passenger, night and phone limits (see Massachusetts Junior Operator License rules), the under-21 0.02 alcohol limit, the rotary rules (see how to drive through a Massachusetts rotary) and the suspension periods in Chapter 3 of the manual (see SDIP surcharges and suspensions). The RMV also recommends its practice exam on mass.gov.
How to book the permit exam
- Start your learner’s permit application online.
- Book a Service Center appointment (or a AAA branch if you are a member).
- Bring your identification documents. Under 18, a parent or guardian signs the application.
- Pay the $30 fee, pass the vision screening and have your photo taken.
- Tell the clerk whether you will test at the Service Center or online.
Vision standard
You need at least 20/40 in your better eye (with glasses or contacts if you wear them) and at least 120 degrees of horizontal peripheral vision. If your corrected vision is between 20/50 and 20/70 in the better eye, you may qualify for a daylight-only license. The screening also checks color vision.
Taking the Massachusetts permit test online
After your documents are verified, the RMV sends login details. Online exam requirements:
- A computer with a working camera, switched on for the whole exam. No smartphones or tablets.
- Google Chrome 97, Microsoft Edge 94 or Internet Explorer 11 or newer.
- You consent to photos before, during and at the end of the exam. Only you may appear in them.
- A quiet room with no other adults, children or pets. Phone and smartwatch in another room.
- Close all other browser windows and turn off pop-ups. No hat, mask or sunglasses.
The American Sign Language exam can only be taken at a Service Center.
Automatic fails online
| Trigger | What counts |
|---|---|
| Inactivity | No click on a question for more than 2 minutes |
| Time out | Taking longer than 25 minutes |
| Lost focus | Leaving the browser during the exam |
To try again you pay another $30 fee through your myRMV profile.
Cheating rules
Using the manual, any reference material or any electronic device counts as cheating. So does having someone else take the exam for you. If you are found responsible, you fail and cannot hold any license or permit for 60 days. You may also be investigated further. At a Service Center, hats are not allowed unless worn for medical or religious reasons.
Languages, audio and accommodations
- Languages: Class D exams are offered in more than 30 languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian and American Sign Language.
- Audio: anyone can choose an audio exam, at a Service Center kiosk or online, with no appointment or paperwork. Bring headphones to a Service Center.
- Disability: you can ask for extended time, a paper exam or a person-to-person oral exam. Oral exams must be booked in advance by phone and need written documentation, for example a doctor’s letter or an IEP.
After you pass
You get your permit document, which you must carry whenever you practice. It is valid for 2 years (or the length of your stay in the U.S.). If it expires, you reapply and retake the exam. Next, read the driver education and 40-hour practice requirement and the full guide to learning to drive in Massachusetts. For how other states compare, see US permit tests by state.
Common questions
How many questions can I miss on the Massachusetts permit test?
Seven. You need 18 correct out of 25.
Can I take the Massachusetts permit test online?
Yes. You visit a Service Center first, then you have 60 days to take it on a computer with a camera.
How much does the Massachusetts permit test cost?
$30 as of November 2026. You pay it again for each retake.
What happens if I fail?
You can try again after paying another $30. The RMV sources used here give no fixed waiting period for an ordinary fail. A cheating finding means a 60-day ban.
Can I use my phone as a calculator or translator?
No. No electronic device may be worn or used during the exam, whatever its purpose.
Do I need to bring my parent?
If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your application. If the person signing is not a parent, they must show proof of guardianship.
Sources
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit Exam Overview” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “Apply for a passenger (Class D) learner’s permit” (mass.gov)
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (Class D), revised April 2026” (mass.gov)