Road Test Information

Applicant Eligibility 

Applicants under 18 must complete all Junior Operator License requirements including completing a Driver's Education Program. If you're over 18, you don't need to complete a Driver’s Education Program.

If you fail your road test, you must wait 2 weeks before taking another test.

You are not allowed to attempt more than six road tests in a 12-month period.

Please note that road tests are scheduled 60 days in advance and fill up quickly. Times slots are added each business day throughout the day so if there are no available times, try again later. 

To schedule your road test, you must provide your:

• Name
• Date of birth 
• Social Security number
• Learner’s permit number
• Foreign Passport and Consular ID as of July 1

You can select a location and time that is convenient to you.

Customers are advised that if the road test examiner identifies any of the following conditions, the road test will not go forward and rescheduling will be the responsibility of the applicant:

• Road test examiner identifies the applicant and/or sponsor is displaying signs of alcohol or substance impairment.
• Road test examiner identifies an odor of cannabis or alcohol emanating from the applicant and/or sponsor; including from their clothing or from inside the vehicle to be used for the road test.
• Road test examiner observes present minor children, including babies in car seats, or animals, other than trained service animals, which cannot be unsupervised at the Service Center during the test.

Fees

You may pay your road test and license fees online. This transaction can be done before or after you pass the road test and will eliminate the need to visit an RMV Service Center.

After passing your passenger (Class D) or motorcycle (Class M) road test, paying the fees, and proving lawful presence (if applicable), your permit will immediately serve as your temporary driver's license until the permanent license is delivered via the mail.

Road test fees are not refunded if you:

• Fail the test
• Are unprepared
• Do not have a registered vehicle
• Are late or do not appear
• Cancel or reschedule your test with less than 72 hours notice

Cancelled Road Tests

You can find out if your road test has been canceled by checking for an alert posted on Mass.Gov/RMV or call the RMV contact center.

You will still be charged for a road test if you:

• Fail
• Are unprepared; for example, your vehicle fails to pass the examiner’s inspection
• Do not bring a qualified sponsor
• Do not appear or are late
• Cancel or reschedule your test with less than 72 hours notice

Road tests will be automatically canceled when:

• The Governor declares a state of emergency for the entire state.
• The Governor declares a state of emergency in a certain region of the state (only road tests in this region will be canceled).

What if there is bad weather at the same time as my Class D or M road test?

Some weather events allow the RMV to make road test cancellations in advance, such as the night before an exam. Other weather events may impact areas of the state differently and decisions on whether tests can move forward is dependent upon localized conditions and storm clean-up activities. We may need to make last minute decisions on cancellations based on safety and we appreciate your understanding.

In the event of severe weather, the RMV’s Road Test Examiners assess the roadway conditions along the test routes prior to giving any road tests. This assessment is done to ensure safety of the applicant and examiner and to determine if a valid test can be performed in the current road and weather conditions.

Applicants with a test scheduled during business hours are encouraged to check for updates on the RMV’s Cancellations and Closures page for information related to their scheduled test time and location before traveling to the testing location. The RMV will email impacted customers directly as soon as possible about a cancellation. Any tests cancelled by the RMV due to weather may be rescheduled free of charge.

Applicants testing through the alternative hours program through a driving school, should contact their driving school directly to ask if road conditions are impacting their scheduled road test.  

Failed Road Tests

If you fail your road test, you must wait 2 weeks before taking another road test.

Common Reasons for Failing a Road Test

• You were at fault in a crash with another motor vehicle, pedestrian, or object.
• You were driving in a way that may have caused a crash or in a way the examiner considered dangerous.
• You violated a motor vehicle law, rule, or regulation.
• You demonstrated a lack of experience safely operating a motor vehicle.
• You refused to follow or drove contrary to the examiner’s instructions.

Note: The RMV has a zero tolerance policy for violent or abusive conduct by road test applicants and sponsors.

Applicant requirements
For a Class D road test you will need:

• A valid learner's permit
• A sponsor
• A completed Class D road test application

If you are under 18 years of age:

The application must be signed by one of the following:

• A parent
• A legal guardian
• Department of Children and Families
• A boarding school headmaster

If the person signing the application is not a parent, proper documentation must be shown at the time of the road test to prove that the person is qualified to sign.

Sponsor requirements
Your sponsor must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Have at least 1 year of driving experience
• Be duly licensed by his/her state of residence

They must also have their valid driver's license for the examiner to review.

Vehicle requirements

Unless your test is scheduled through a driving school, all road test applicants are required to supply their own vehicle for Class D road tests.

Vehicles used for a Class D or M road test must meet the following requirements and will be inspected before your test. This includes vehicles with an ignition interlock device, and vehicles with adaptive equipment for a competency test.

• Be in good working condition and be able to pass a safety check.
• Have a valid registration and current inspection sticker.
• Contain adequate seating accommodations next to the operator for the use of the examiner and have a rear seat behind the driver for the sponsor.
• Be designed to let the examiner make an emergency stop using the parking brake. If not, the vehicle CANNOT be used for the road test, you will not be charged for the road test.
• Any vehicle with a center console that does not have a parking brake as part of the console CANNOT be used.
• Any vehicle that does not allow the examiner unobstructed access to the parking brake CANNOT be used.

You can attempt no more than 6 Class D road tests in a 12-month period.

Vehicles with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
Applicants who must take a road test as part of their license reinstatement process are required to provide an acceptable vehicle for the road test. Generally, this vehicle must have an accessible console brake and a seat for the sponsor.

Vehicles with an IID, a center console brake, and sponsor seating: If you own a vehicle that is equipped with an IID,  has a center console brake, and has a seat for a sponsor, you can schedule your road test online. 
Vehicles with an IID, NO center console brake, or NO sponsor seating: If you own a vehicle  that has an IID and no center console, or no seat for a sponsor, you cannot schedule your road test using this online option. You must call the RMV’s Automated Service Line at 866-MASSRMV (866-627-7768) and request a supervisor to call you back to schedule your road test. 

Customers are advised that if the road test examiner identifies any of the following conditions, the road test will not go forward and rescheduling will be the responsibility of the applicant:

• Road test examiner identifies the applicant and/or sponsor is displaying signs of alcohol or substance impairment.
• Road test examiner identifies an odor of cannabis or alcohol emanating from the applicant and/or sponsor; including from their clothing or from inside the vehicle to be used for the road test.
• Road test examiner observes present minor children, including babies in car seats, or animals, other than trained service animals, which cannot be unsupervised at the Service Center during the test.

Interpreters and Licensed Drivers

Can I bring my own interpreter for my road test? 

Yes. We encourage all customers to bring their own interpreter if they need one. For the road test, the customer’s interpreter will ride in the car with them during their road test. The interpreter will only be allowed to interpret the exact words of the Road Test Examiner. They are not allowed to provide any additional instructions during the road test. If a customer is unable to bring an interpreter, they should request that the RMV provide an interpreter for the road test at the time of scheduling the road test. 

Can I schedule an interpreter for my road test? 

When customers schedule their road test appointment online, there will be a question that asks, “Do you need interpretation services for your road test appointment?” If the customer selects yes, then the RMV will provide an interpreter that will join the customer in the car during their road test. 

Road Test Availability

If you have a road test scheduled, and you would like to see if there is a road test available sooner than your scheduled date, you will need to cancel your current road test first. If you cancel your road test and then change your mind, the RMV cannot guarantee that your original time slot will be available.

To check the date and location of your scheduled road test, visit your profile online. 

Applicants under 18 must complete all Junior Operator License requirements including completing a Driver's Education Program. If you're over 18, you don't need to complete a Driver’s Education Program.

If you fail your road test, you must wait 2 weeks before taking another test.

You are not allowed to attempt more than six road tests in a 12-month period.

Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP)

The Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) is a program within the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MREP’s mission is to reduce the number of motorcycle related fatalities and injuries in the Commonwealth through increasing the number of approved rider training courses for motorcycle riders and to increase awareness and education for both riders and other drivers.

Fees

You may pay your road test and license fees online. This transaction can be done before or after you pass the road test and will eliminate the need to visit an RMV Service Center.

After passing your passenger (Class D) or motorcycle (Class M) road test, paying the fees, and proving lawful presence (if applicable), your permit will immediately serve as your temporary driver's license until the permanent license is delivered via the mail.

Road test fees are not refunded if you:

• Fail the test
• Are unprepared
• Do not have a registered vehicle
• Are late or do not appear
• Cancel or reschedule your test with less than 72 hours notice

Cancelled Road Tests

You can find out if your road test has been canceled by checking for an alert posted on Mass.Gov/RMV or call the RMV contact center.

You will still be charged for a road test if you:

• Fail
• Are unprepared; for example, your vehicle fails to pass the examiner’s inspection
• Do not bring a qualified sponsor
• Do not appear or are late
• Cancel or reschedule your test with less than 72 hours notice

Road tests will be automatically canceled when:

• The Governor declares a state of emergency for the entire state.
• The Governor declares a state of emergency in a certain region of the state (only road tests in this region will be canceled).

What if there is bad weather at the same time as my Class D or M road test?

Some weather events allow the RMV to make road test cancellations in advance, such as the night before an exam. Other weather events may impact areas of the state differently and decisions on whether tests can move forward is dependent upon localized conditions and storm clean-up activities. We may need to make last minute decisions on cancellations based on safety and we appreciate your understanding.

In the event of severe weather, the RMV’s Road Test Examiners assess the roadway conditions along the test routes prior to giving any road tests. This assessment is done to ensure safety of the applicant and examiner and to determine if a valid test can be performed in the current road and weather conditions.

Applicants with a test scheduled during business hours are encouraged to check for updates on the RMV’s Cancellations and Closures page for information related to their scheduled test time and location before traveling to the testing location. The RMV will email impacted customers directly as soon as possible about a cancellation. Any tests cancelled by the RMV due to weather may be rescheduled free of charge.

Applicant requirements
For a Class M road test you will need:

• A valid learner's permit with a Class M endorsement
• A completed Class M road test application

If you are under 18 years of age:

• You must successfully complete a Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) basic rider course
• Complete all junior operator requirements

Vehicle requirements

Your motorcycle must:

• Be safe and in good working order - the road test will be canceled if the Examiner believes the motorcycle is unsafe
• Have a valid registration document
• Have a valid inspection sticker
• If the motorcycle is registered out-of-state, the customer will have to show the examiner proof of insurance coverage equal to Massachusetts’ minimum limits, which are $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. A policy or a certificate that lists limits of coverage serves as proof of the vehicle's insurance.

A customer who takes a road test on a limited use vehicle or 3-wheeled vehicle (trike) will receive a Class M license with a “U” restriction with the following description:

• “Motorcycle — limited use vehicle only” or
• "Motorcycle — limited to 3-wheels only"

With this restriction, a customer will only be allowed to use the Class M license to operate a limited-use vehicle or a 3-wheel motorcycle.

You do not need a sponsor for a Class M road test.

If you fail 2 Class M road tests, you must enroll in and successfully complete the RMV approved beginner rider course (MREP).

You do not have to take a Class M road test if you have successfully completed the RMV approved beginner rider course (MREP), unless you are under 18 years of age.

Road Test Waiver Available: The RMV road test for a Class M motorcycle license may be waived if you can prove that you have successfully completed a course of motorcycle instruction known as the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) as approved by the RMV. If you are under 18 years old, you are not eligible for an RMV Class M road test and must complete the MREP basic rider course to get a Class M license.

As a pre-road test, the examiner will assess your knowledge of motorcycle equipment and controls. For the road test, the examiner will observe your ability to operate a motorcycle. Your road test will consist of the following riding skills:

• “Figure eights” and 360º circles in both directions without your feet touching the road
• Normal starts and stops
• Driving in traffic
• Crossing intersections
• Making turns

If you are 18 or older, you can apply for an intrastate (MA only) CDL at any RMV location. If you are 21 or older, you can apply for an interstate (all states) CDL at any RMV location. To be eligible, you must not have had your driver’s license or right to operate revoked by the Registrar.

For a Class A CDL application, you need the concurrent endorsement tests as well. If you are updating from a Class D license to a Class C, then there is no road test requirement unless the endorsement requires one. Passenger, air brake, and school bus endorsements require road tests.

Commercial  (Class A, B, or C) applicants may pay fees online, but must visit an RMV Service Center to have the license issued after passing the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) road test.

Applicant requirements
For a commercial driver's license (CDL) road test, you will need:

• A current driver's license, if you are seeking additional endorsements.
• A valid CLP permit, with proper endorsements for the vehicle used.
• A valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card or medical waiver.
• A completed CDL road test application
• If you answered yes to question 7, 8, or 10 on the road test application, the application must be approved by an RMV service center Manager or an authorized RMV employee before the road test.
• A CDL self-certification form.

If you are 18 or older, you can apply for an intrastate (MA only) CDL at any RMV location. If you are 21 or older, you can apply for an interstate (all states) CDL at any RMV location. To be eligible, you must not have had your driver’s license or right to operate revoked by the Registrar.

For a Class A CDL application, you need the concurrent endorsement tests as well. If you are updating from a Class D license to a Class C, then there is no road test requirement unless the endorsement requires one. Passenger, air brake, and school bus endorsements require road tests.

Sponsor requirements
Your sponsor must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have a valid U.S. commercial driver's license with proper endorsements for the class of vehicle that you are using.
• Have held a CDL for at least one year.
• Have a current DOT medical card (sponsors must have their current DOT medical card in their possession, if they are required to have on).

 
Vehicle requirements
Vehicles used for a Class A, B, or C road test must meet the following requirements:

• Represent the type and class of vehicle you will be driving when you receive your CDL.
  • For a Passenger (P) Endorsement, the applicant must have the appropriate class vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
• Be able to pass a safety check
• Vehicles with unstable, dangerous, or HAZMAT loads will be rejected.
  • The vehicle must be completely free of hazardous material
• Have a valid registration and current inspection sticker
• Have adequate seating next to the operator for the use of the examiner
• Have a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the vehicle, appropriate for the class of license for which you are applying.
  • If there is no GVWR on the vehicle, you must have a document from the manufacturer or a motor vehicle dealer proving the GVWR

For out of state, trailers, and semi-trailers:

• Carry proof of insurance coverage in the form of a policy or letter from the insurance company specifying the limits of coverage. The insurance coverage must be equal to Massachusetts minimum requirements of $20,000/$40,000 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage coverage for the vehicle's use in Massachusetts (no faxes or photocopies).

For rental vehicles:

• Have the rental agreement and written permission on the rental company's letterhead authorizing use of the vehicle for the road test.

NOTE: Commercial (Class A, B, or C) road tests can only be scheduled by calling 857-368-7381. This phone line is monitored by the State Police who conduct the commercial road tests. They are not authorized to schedule any Class D or M road test.