Junior Operator's Bill Signed Into Law

Major progress in protecting the safety of teen drivers in Massachusetts was made on January 3, 2007 when the Governor signed into law the long awaited Junior Operator’s Bill. The law, which was last changed in 1998, includes many significant changes that any teen currently in the process of obtaining a junior operator’s license or will soon begin the process should be aware of. 

Many changes to the law will not immediately take effect. The RMV is hard at work implementing the stricter penalties called for in the law which will be made effective March 31st, 2007 and the changes to the driver’s education requirements which will take effect on September 1st, 2007. There will be updates to the website which will explain in detail the penalty changes as well as other provisions, so please be on the look out for new material.

Effective immediately is the Registrar’s oversight of driver’s education and several other provisions impacting the Commonwealth’s driving schools. A new, standardized driver’s education curriculum has been posted on our website and the RMV is in the process of developing a final test to be given to each student upon completion of driver education. In addition, driver’s education instructors can look forward to having a section of the RMV website dedicated to keeping them up to date on the changes and other useful information that applies to their industry.

Also effective immediately are strict penalties for learner’s permit holders operating a motor vehicle without a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, with at least 1 year of driving experience. The penalties are as follows:

• 1st offense: 60-day suspension
• 2nd offense: 180-day suspension
• 3rd or subsequent offense: 1-year suspension

Further, individuals caught violating this provision are considered to be operating without a license which is a criminal offense carrying a fine between $100 and $1,000.

The law is designed to ensure that teen drivers are not only getting the best possible training before they are fully licensed but that they are also aware of the responsibilities associated with getting behind the wheel.

Be sure to review the material on the RMV website under the Teens and Parents section for more detailed information.