The Massachusetts permit test has 25 questions, and applicants need 18 correct answers within 25 minutes, according to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). That is a 72% passing score. For anyone asking how many questions are on the Massachusetts permit test, these figures apply to the passenger-car Class D learner’s permit exam.
Last verified: November 8, 2026
Try Massachusetts car questions, then use each explanation to choose your next handbook section.
What does the Massachusetts passing score mean in practice?
The Massachusetts Class D exam requires 18 correct responses out of 25, according to the RMV knowledge-test FAQs, so an applicant can miss 7 questions and still meet the score requirement. Treat that margin as protection against an occasional mistake. Preparing to scrape through leaves little room for unfamiliar wording or a misunderstood traffic situation.
| Exam detail | Passenger-car requirement |
|---|---|
| Question total | 25 |
| Correct answers required | 18 |
| Calculated passing percentage | 72% |
| Time allowed | 25 minutes |
The question count and time limit come from the RMV Class D permit instructions; the percentage is the correct-answer requirement divided by the question total. A good practice review asks why the rejected options are unsafe. Recognizing a memorized answer is less useful when the exam changes who is turning, where the pedestrian stands, or which driver must yield.
How do you arrange the application and choose where to test?
The RMV requires Massachusetts Class D applicants to start the application online, then reserve a visit to an RMV Service Center or an eligible AAA location. During the visit, choose the Service Center exam or the online exam. The RMV first-time-driver guide explains the reservation and testing sequence, including printing a permit after an online pass.
Use the application-generated document checklist for the credential you selected. Standard licensing and REAL ID have different documentation purposes; do not assume that an airport identification requirement describes every Massachusetts driver’s license application. Gather original documents before reserving a date that requires travel, school absence, or a caregiver’s time off.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, and applicants younger than 18 need the written consent specified by the RMV. A nonparent giving authorized consent must bring proof of that authority. A teen who passes still follows the Massachusetts JOL pathway; an adult does not acquire a teen training requirement simply by taking the same Class D exam.
Which subjects and language options should you prepare for?
Massachusetts tests road rules, alcohol and drug consequences, Junior Operator Law, and sharing the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, and visually impaired people. The RMV offers translated Class D exams, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese. Select the language in which traffic instructions make the most sense to you, rather than relying on guessed translations during testing.
American Sign Language testing takes place at an RMV Service Center. The RMV instructs ASL applicants to book a permit appointment no later than 2:30 p.m. Treat accommodations as part of booking. Asking about a needed format after arriving can disrupt an otherwise prepared application.
Read the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual by driving decision: recognizing controls, choosing a safe path, managing space, and protecting people outside the car. For instance, a stop-sign question can test the required stop and the duty to yield. A rain question can test visibility, tire traction, or braking distance. Knowing the underlying hazard makes those questions easier to separate.
What changes when you take the Massachusetts exam online?
A Massachusetts online Class D exam requires a computer with an enabled camera and a private testing space, under RMV online-testing requirements. Smartphones and tablets cannot be used. Applicants consent to exam photographs, and the applicant must be the only person present. Choose the Service Center option if the required equipment or room is unavailable.
Before starting, remove reference materials and other electronics from the room. Arrange care for children and pets elsewhere; a quiet household is not enough if someone enters the testing space. Close other browser windows, confirm camera access, and settle lighting so your face remains visible. Follow the exam’s technical instructions rather than trying to search for an answer in another tab.
Practice first with the device you use for studying, but keep the real exam environment free of help. A parent who supported the application cannot coach from beside the computer. Being able to answer independently is part of readiness, and setting up the room in advance prevents a technical interruption from competing with the traffic question on screen.
Can you explain these Massachusetts practice answers?
Massachusetts Driver’s Manual guidance supports the safety decisions below: avoid confronting aggressive drivers, stop fully at stop signs, and adapt to wet pavement. These questions come from our Massachusetts car-practice database. Choose an answer before opening the explanation, then locate the matching rule in the RMV handbook if the reason is unclear.
When encountering an aggressive driver, you should:
- A. Avoid eye contact, slow down, and let them pass.
- B. Cut them off to slow them down.
- C. Retaliate by tailgating them.
- D. Make sure they know you disapprove of their behavior.
Show answer
A. Avoid eye contact, slow down, and let them pass. Create separation instead of entering a contest. The RMV handbook advises getting out of an aggressive driver’s way and avoiding challenges or eye contact.
When may you proceed through an intersection that has a stop sign but no stop line or crosswalk?
- A. After slowing down to verify that there is no cross traffic
- B. After coming to a complete stop and verifying that it is safe to proceed
- C. After you have stopped at least 20 feet prior to the intersection
- D. After slowing down to a speed of 10 mph
Show answer
B. After coming to a complete stop and verifying that it is safe to proceed. A missing pavement marking does not remove the stop. Look for conflicts before entering; a slow roll does not satisfy a STOP sign.
When driving on wet pavement, it’s important to remember:
- A. That pavement is especially slippery right after it starts to rain.
- B. That wet roads can cause hydroplaning.
- C. To give yourself additional space when coming to a stop.
- D. All of the above.
Show answer
D. All of the above. Rain changes both traction and stopping needs. The handbook explains that early rain mixes with dirt and oil; water can also separate tires from the road surface.
What happens if you fail or need another attempt?
The RMV online exam overview directs Massachusetts applicants to pay another $30 through myRMV before retaking a failed exam. Use the result to identify weak subjects before paying for the next attempt. A practice score is most useful when you can explain the answer without relying on the position of the correct option.
Review a missed item by identifying its deciding detail: the sign, the road user, the driver’s age, or the changing condition. Write the corrected rule in plain English and answer another question on that subject. For account access or retest scheduling, follow the RMV’s retake instructions. Keep the knowledge-exam transaction separate from booking a later road test.
Key takeaways
Massachusetts Class D preparation combines the RMV exam format with application and testing-location requirements.
- Massachusetts uses 25 Class D permit questions, according to the RMV application instructions linked above.
- Massachusetts requires 18 correct answers within 25 minutes under the RMV exam rules.
- Massachusetts online retakes require another $30 payment through myRMV, according to the RMV exam overview.
After the permit, work toward the Massachusetts passenger-car road test. Motorcycle applicants should use the Class M route. More passenger-car resources are grouped in the Massachusetts car hub.
Turn your missed Massachusetts car questions into a focused review list.
Frequently asked questions
A Massachusetts Class D permit is a supervised-driving credential rather than permission to drive independently.
Should I print the permit after passing online?
Yes. The RMV first-time-driver guide tells online examinees to print the permit through their myRMV profile before practicing with a qualified supervisor.
Does a Class D knowledge pass cover commercial driving?
No. Massachusetts commercial applicants follow the Commercial Learner’s Permit and CDL process, with testing tied to commercial vehicle classes and endorsements.
What if the learner’s permit expires?
The RMV requires a new application and another exam after a Massachusetts permit expires. Keep the permit’s expiration date in your practice and road-test calendar.
Related guides
Common Massachusetts Road Test Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Massachusetts road-test preparation includes an eligible sponsor, accessible parking brake, physical documents and independent driving skills. Avoid these common errors.
Massachusetts Teen Driver Rules (GDL): Permit → Provisional → Full License
Massachusetts teens need a 6-month permit period, approved education and supervised practice before a Junior Operator License. Night and passenger restrictions follow.
How to Pass the Georgia Permit Test on the First Try
Use a seven-day Georgia study plan for DDS signs and rules, practice explanations, weak-topic review and application preparation.
