Massachusetts Driver's Manual

Browse the full Massachusetts Driver's Manual. Find the rules and regulations tested by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Search handbook

A Message to Massachusetts MotoristsPDF page 1
A User’s Manual for Public WaysPDF page 2
Braking and Stopping44PDF page 3
Car Safety Kits35PDF page 3
Converting Your License From Another Jurisdiction 27PDF page 3
Junior Operator License Law 9PDF page 3
Using Your Horn, Headlights, and Emergency Signals 45PDF page 3
Limited Use Vehicle Safety53PDF page 4
Reasons for License Nonrenewal75PDF page 4
Surchargeable Events59PDF page 4
When Your License Is Suspended or Revoked 67PDF page 4
Common Bicycle Crash Scenarios.....................117PDF page 5
Miscellaneous Rules of the Road.........................111PDF page 5
Stop Lines, Yield Lines, and Crosswalks .................91PDF page 5
Traffic Signs..........................................83PDF page 5
Using Lanes.......................................93PDF page 5
If You Witness a Crash..............................131PDF page 6
Traffic Crashes.......................................128PDF page 6
How to Use This ManualPDF page 7
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor VehiclesPDF page 7
Your LicensePDF page 63
Licensing Rules for Military PersonnelPDF page 10
Out-of-State/Out-of-Country ResidentsPDF page 10
Age RequirementPDF page 11
Massachusetts Driver's License Limited to MassachusettsPDF page 11
Questions?PDF page 11
ResidentsPDF page 11
Facial Image PolicyPDF page 12
Parent/ Guardian ConsentPDF page 12
Vision Screening RequirementsPDF page 13
Driving Record VerificationPDF page 13
License ClassesPDF page 14
REAL ID and Standard Massachusetts Cards (License/ID)PDF page 14
What You Need to TravelPDF page 14
Class B, C, and D.)PDF page 15
License LengthPDF page 15
Vehicles PermittedPDF page 15
List of RestrictionsPDF page 16
M CDL - Except Class A BusPDF page 16
Y Restrict to 14 Passenger CapacityPDF page 16
Medical RestrictionsPDF page 17
Requirements to Obtain a JOLPDF page 17
The Junior Operator License LawPDF page 17
JOL License RestrictionsPDF page 19
Revocation section of Chapter Three.)PDF page 19
Identification RequirementsPDF page 20
Passport, Visa, and I-94PDF page 20
Social Security NumberPDF page 20
Massachusetts ID Cards)PDF page 21
Social Security Numbers and License NumbersPDF page 21
AppealsPDF page 22
Applying for a LicensePDF page 22
Getting a Learner’s PermitPDF page 24
Learner’s Permit Exam ProceduresPDF page 24
Audio ExamsPDF page 25
Foreign Language TestsPDF page 25
Testing AccommodationsPDF page 25
Driving With Your PermitPDF page 26
Driver’s EducationPDF page 27
VehiclesPDF page 27
Massachusetts Rider Education ProgramPDF page 28
Scheduling a Road TestPDF page 28
Taking the Road TestPDF page 28
Being Prepared for the Road TestPDF page 30
Policies on Cancellations and FeesPDF page 29
Rejected Road TestsPDF page 29
Passenger Vehicle RequirementsPDF page 31
Sponsor RequirementsPDF page 31
Passenger Vehicle Test ProceduresPDF page 33
Repair PlatesPDF page 32
Common Reasons for Failing a Road TestPDF page 34
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Road TestsPDF page 34
Junior Operator License ConversionPDF page 35
Receiving Your New LicensePDF page 35
Permit ConversionPDF page 37
Veteran's IndicatorPDF page 37
Voter RegistrationPDF page 37
Call LifeChoice Donor Services at 1-800-874-5215PDF page 38
Organ and Tissue Donor ProgramPDF page 38
Q. What is the Massachusetts Donor Registry?PDF page 39
License/ID FeesPDF page 40
Safety FirstPDF page 41
Passenger Vehicle SafetyPDF page 42
Car Safety KitsPDF page 43
Safety/Seat Belt LawPDF page 43
Child Passenger RestraintsPDF page 44
How Safety/Seat Belts WorkPDF page 45
Myths About Safety/Seat BeltsPDF page 46
Air-Bag SafetyPDF page 46
Distracting ObjectsPDF page 46
Distracted Driving Law/ Hands-Free Mobile (Cell) PhonePDF page 47
HeadphonesPDF page 47
TelevisionsPDF page 47
Negligent Operation and Injury from Mobile (Cell) Phone UsePDF page 48
Penalties for Violating the LawPDF page 48
What is a Mobile Electronic Device?PDF page 48
Driving DefensivelyPDF page 49
Brakes and TiresPDF page 50
Checking Your Vehicle’s ConditionPDF page 50
SteeringPDF page 50
Your Health and Physical ConditionPDF page 50
License PlatesPDF page 51
Safe Distances Around Your CarPDF page 51
Braking and StoppingPDF page 53
Using Your Horn, Headlights, and Emergency SignalsPDF page 53
Advanced Driver Assistance SystemsPDF page 54
Drowsy DrivingPDF page 54
High Beam HeadlightsPDF page 54
Night DrivingPDF page 54
Driving in Rain or FogPDF page 56
Winter DrivingPDF page 56
PedestriansPDF page 107
Vulnerable Road Users LawPDF page 57
Bicycles and MopedsPDF page 58
Check Twice, Save A Life • Motorcycles Are EverywherePDF page 60
Motorcycle SafetyPDF page 60
Motorized Bicycle (Moped) SafetyPDF page 60
Limited Use Vehicle SafetyPDF page 61
Motorized Scooter SafetyPDF page 61
Bicycle Safety LawsPDF page 62
Low Speed Vehicle SafetyPDF page 62
Civil Motor Vehicle InfractionsPDF page 65
Motor Vehicle Violations and PenaltiesPDF page 64
Criminal ViolationsPDF page 65
The beginning of Chapter FourPDF page 65
Work ZonesPDF page 65
At-Fault CrashesPDF page 66
Out-of-State ViolationsPDF page 66
Driver Retraining CoursePDF page 67
Surchargeable EventsPDF page 67
Standards of FaultPDF page 68
Driving RecordsPDF page 69
License Suspension or RevocationPDF page 69
Reasons for License SuspensionPDF page 69
EventsPDF page 70
SuspensionPDF page 70
TrafficPDF page 70
Driver Attitudinal RetrainingPDF page 71
Driving WithoutPDF page 71
ElectronicPDF page 71
Mobile PhonePDF page 71
RacingPDF page 71
Against Road Rage (SCARR)PDF page 72
Electronic DevicePDF page 72
Night RestrictionPDF page 72
Phone UsePDF page 72
Negligent Operation, Loaning/ Allowing Another to Use YourPDF page 73
Other Reasons for License SuspensionsPDF page 73
ReinstatePDF page 74
Driving With a Suspended LicensePDF page 75
License ReinstatementPDF page 75
Out-of-State SuspensionsPDF page 75
LifetimePDF page 78
Second OffensePDF page 76
AGE LICENSE SUSPENSIONPDF page 78
OUI OffensesPDF page 78
AlcoholPDF page 79
Alcohol, Drugs, and DrivingPDF page 79
Alcohol TestsPDF page 80
Blood Alcohol ContentPDF page 80
Ignition Interlock Device Road TestsPDF page 81
Ignition Interlock DevicesPDF page 81
Under-21 Alcohol OffensesPDF page 81
Buying, Possessing, or Transporting AlcoholPDF page 82
False or Altered Licenses/Identification CardsPDF page 82
MarijuanaPDF page 82
Open Container LawPDF page 82
Other DrugsPDF page 83
Reasons for License NonrenewalPDF page 83
RoadPDF page 84
Dangers of SpeedingPDF page 85
Speed LimitsPDF page 87
Motor Vehicle SignalsPDF page 88
Reduced Speed AheadPDF page 88
School ZonesPDF page 88
Flashing Red CirclePDF page 89
Flashing Yellow ArrowPDF page 89
Flashing Yellow CirclePDF page 89
Steady Green CirclePDF page 89
Steady Red ArrowPDF page 89
Steady Red CirclePDF page 89
Pedestrian Hybrid BeaconPDF page 90
Pedestrian SignalsPDF page 90
Rectangular Rapid Flashing BeaconPDF page 90
Traffic Signals Not WorkingPDF page 90
BLACK/WHITE—regulationPDF page 91
Laws for DriversPDF page 91
Laws for PedestriansPDF page 91
Traffic SignsPDF page 91
Guides and DirectionsPDF page 92
NarrowsPDF page 92
YieldPDF page 92
DestinationPDF page 93
Stop and Yield SignsPDF page 93
Guide SignsPDF page 94
Railroad CrossingsPDF page 94
Regulatory SignsPDF page 94
Roadway Construction/ Maintenance (Work Zones)PDF page 96
Drum Cones Tubular Marker BarricadePDF page 97
Broken White LinePDF page 97
Pavement MarkingsPDF page 97
Double Yellow Lines: Both SolidPDF page 98
Double Yellow Lines: One Solid, One BrokenPDF page 98
Solid White LinePDF page 98
Words and SymbolsPDF page 98
Yellow Lane LinesPDF page 98
Advisory Bicycle LanesPDF page 99
Bicycle LanesPDF page 99
Green PavementPDF page 99
Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows)PDF page 99
Stop Lines, Yield Lines, and CrosswalksPDF page 99
Crossing GuardsPDF page 100
Lanes, Intersections, and TurnsPDF page 101
SignalingPDF page 101
Using LanesPDF page 101
Entering and Exiting the HighwayPDF page 102
Highway DrivingPDF page 102
Driving on the HighwayPDF page 104
IntersectionsPDF page 106
Three-Point TurnsPDF page 106
Turns on RedPDF page 106
Backing UpPDF page 107
Right-of-Way RulesPDF page 107
Four-Way StopPDF page 108
Intersections Not Controlled by Signs or SignalsPDF page 108
ThroughwaysPDF page 108
Choosing a LanePDF page 109
RotariesPDF page 109
Rotary Traffic RulesPDF page 109
Courtesy CrashesPDF page 110
RoundaboutsPDF page 110
Rules for PassingPDF page 110
Being PassedPDF page 111
Passing on the LeftPDF page 111
Passing on the RightPDF page 111
Road Respect/Sharing the RoadPDF page 112
What Can You Do When confronted by an Aggressive Driver?PDF page 112
School BusesPDF page 113
Trucks and Other Large VehiclesPDF page 115
Buses and TrolleysPDF page 115
Funeral ProcessionsPDF page 116
Slow-Moving VehiclesPDF page 115
Animals and Horse-Drawn VehiclesPDF page 116
Road Workers and Repair CrewsPDF page 116
Parallel ParkingPDF page 117
ParkingPDF page 117
Parking on HillsPDF page 118
Parking RegulationsPDF page 119
Miscellaneous Rules of the RoadPDF page 119
Parking PermitsPDF page 119
Rules for PedestriansPDF page 123
Bicycle BoxesPDF page 124
The Danger of Open Doors to BicyclistsPDF page 124
Common Bicycle Crash ScenariosPDF page 125
Separated Bicycle LanesPDF page 125
SituationsPDF page 126
Moving Emergency VehiclePDF page 128
Stationary Emergency and Maintenance VehiclesPDF page 131
SkiddingPDF page 131
Brake FailurePDF page 132
Flat Tire, Blowout, or Wheel LossPDF page 132
Stuck Gas PedalPDF page 132
BreakdownsPDF page 133
Stalling on Railroad TracksPDF page 133
Car Catches FirePDF page 135
Driving Through TunnelsPDF page 136
Traffic CrashesPDF page 136
Crashes Involving InjuriesPDF page 137
Emergency First Aid TipsPDF page 137
Property Damage OnlyPDF page 137
Without Identifying Yourself)PDF page 138
If You Witness a CrashPDF page 139
Reporting a CrashPDF page 140