Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
Massachusetts Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official RMV learner's permit exam with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
Massachusetts permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 25
- Passing score
- 18 of 25 correct (72%)
- Minimum permit age
- 16
- Fee
- Learner's permit exam fee: $30 (charged again for each new exam if you fail or the permit expires). Road test fee: $35; Class D license issuance: $50.
- If you fail
- There is no free retake: if you fail the learner's permit exam or your permit expires, you are charged the $30 exam fee again for each new examination. An expired permit cannot be renewed — you must reapply and retake the exam.
- Online testing
- Available in some cases
- Languages
- 37 languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, and American Sign Language (ASL exams are given only at RMV Service Centers).
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free Massachusetts practice tests
Massachusetts Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
Massachusetts Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
Massachusetts Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in Massachusetts
Applicants aged 16½ to 18 must hold a valid learner's permit for six consecutive months with a clean record, finish driver's education, and log 40 hours of supervised practice (30 hours if they complete a driver skills development program) before the road test. New junior operators may not carry passengers under 18 (immediate family excepted) during their first six months unless a licensed driver 21 or older sits beside them, and they may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a parent or legal guardian.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: RMV
Massachusetts permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Massachusetts permit test?
The official Massachusetts learner's permit exam has 25 questions, according to the RMV (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the Massachusetts permit test?
You must answer 18 of 25 questions correctly (72%) to pass the Massachusetts learner's permit exam.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Massachusetts?
You can apply for a learner's permit in Massachusetts at 16, according to the RMV (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the Massachusetts permit cost?
Learner's permit exam fee: $30 (charged again for each new exam if you fail or the permit expires). Road test fee: $35; Class D license issuance: $50. — as listed by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the Massachusetts permit test?
There is no free retake: if you fail the learner's permit exam or your permit expires, you are charged the $30 exam fee again for each new examination. An expired permit cannot be renewed — you must reapply and retake the exam. (per the RMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the Massachusetts permit test online?
Yes, in some cases. The RMV offers an online option for the learner's permit exam — check eligibility on the official site.
What languages is the Massachusetts permit test offered in?
37 languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, and American Sign Language (ASL exams are given only at RMV Service Centers). (per the RMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in Massachusetts?
Driver licensing in Massachusetts is handled by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). The official site is https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles.