RMV Practice Test

What the RMV is and how it works

According to Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, “You will be given 25 minutes to complete the exam. The exam consists of **25** questions. You must answer **18** questions correctly to pass.”^[1]

The Class D learner's permit exam is the written test the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles gives before it issues a passenger learner's permit. You must be at least 16 to apply. If you are under 18, you need written consent from a parent, a legal guardian, the Department of Children and Families, or a boarding school headmaster.

How to apply. Start your application online, then book an appointment at an RMV Service Center. AAA members can book at an AAA location instead. The learner's permit application fee is $30.

Delivery and scoring. You can take the exam at the Service Center during your permit appointment, or online with webcam proctoring. You cannot use a phone or tablet for the online exam. The exam has 25 questions and a 25-minute limit, and you need 18 correct answers to pass. Once the exam starts, you cannot pause it.

If you fail or your permit expires. Each exam attempt costs $30. To retake, you can use myRMV online or book another appointment at a Service Center. A permit is valid for 2 years or for the length of your stay in the U.S., whichever applies. If it expires, you have to reapply and take the exam again.

These rules come from the Massachusetts RMV pages on mass.gov. Fees and procedures can change, so check the official pages before you book.

RMV Exam at a Glance

What changed for RMV in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to Age 16+; written consent under 18 (previously Age 16+; parental consent under 18).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to $30 application fee (previously $30 learner's permit application fee).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to Retake online via myRMV or rebook at a Service Center (previously Retake through myRMV (online) or book a new Service Center appointment).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Validity (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to 2 years (or length of U.S. stay) (previously Permit valid 2 years (or length of U.S. stay)).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to RMV Service Center or online (webcam-proctored; no phone/tablet) (previously RMV Service Center or online (webcam-proctored, no phones/tablets)).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Registration opens (Class D learner's permit exam) changed to Apply online, then book a Service Center appointment (previously Apply online year-round, then book a Service Center appointment).^[1]

Worked examples: how to reason through RMV questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What environmental regulation applies to emissions control?

1. Environmental rules don't apply to auto repair
2. Proper handling and disposal of fluids, refrigerants, and hazardous materials as required by EPA regulations
3. Environmental compliance is optional for small shops
4. Only diesel shops need to follow environmental rules

Answer: B. Proper handling and disposal of fluids, refrigerants, and hazardous materials as required by EPA regulations

Explanation:

B is correct. EPA rules require shops to handle and dispose of used fluids, refrigerants and hazardous materials properly. This duty applies whatever the shop's size and whatever vehicles it services. A is wrong because auto repair is directly covered: oil, coolant and refrigerant can pollute soil, water and air. C is wrong because small shops are not exempt. The duty comes from producing the waste, not from the size of the business. D is wrong because gasoline shops produce the same regulated fluids and refrigerants as diesel shops.

Rule to remember: be wary of any answer that calls a rule optional, says it does not apply, or limits it to a small group. Environmental handling rules cover every shop that produces the waste.

Example 2

Question: How should a technician verify a suspension and steering repair is complete?

1. If the warning light is off, the repair is complete
2. Perform a thorough road test, recheck all work, and verify with diagnostic tools
3. Ask the customer if they notice a difference
4. Check only the specific component that was repaired

Answer: B. Perform a thorough road test, recheck all work, and verify with diagnostic tools

Explanation:

B is correct. To confirm a repair, road test the vehicle, recheck all the work, and verify with diagnostic tools. Together these steps catch loose fasteners, alignment problems and faults that only show up while driving. A is wrong because a warning light going off only shows that a stored fault has cleared. It does not prove the steering and suspension work correctly. C is wrong because a customer's impression is not a measurement and can miss safety defects. D is wrong because steering and suspension parts work as a system, and a repair can disturb nearby components or the alignment.

Rule to remember: before the vehicle goes back to the customer, test the whole system in real driving and then confirm the result with tools.

Example 3

Question: What safety precaution is critical when performing engine diagnostics work?

1. Safety precautions slow down work
2. Following all manufacturer safety warnings, using proper PPE, and securing the vehicle
3. Safety is only important for major repairs
4. Experienced technicians don't need safety precautions

Answer: B. Following all manufacturer safety warnings, using proper PPE, and securing the vehicle

Explanation:

B is correct. Safe diagnostic work means following the manufacturer's safety warnings and wearing proper personal protective equipment, such as eye protection and gloves. It also means securing the vehicle so it cannot roll or start unexpectedly. Running engines, hot parts, moving belts and high-voltage systems can all cause injuries during routine testing. A is wrong because working faster never justifies skipping protection. C is wrong because small jobs carry the same hazards as large ones. D is wrong because experience does not change the physical risks, and manufacturer warnings apply to everyone.

Rule to remember: on safety questions, the correct answer is usually the one that applies precautions every time, on every job, for every person.

How to use these practice tests

1. Read the official pages first. Go through the RMV learner's permit pages on mass.gov and the study material the RMV recommends. That way you know the rules and the process before you start practising.
2. Take a baseline set. Work through RMV Permit and RMV Basic without notes. Mark every question you got wrong or guessed.
3. Drill your weak spots. Use RMV Traffic Signs and Signals and RMV (Reading) for signs and reading practice. For each topic you missed, go back to the official text.
4. Practise under real conditions. Do a timed run of 25 questions in 25 minutes without pausing. Aim for well above 18 correct, so a handful of hard questions on test day does not decide your result.
5. Check your equipment. If you test online, use a computer with a webcam, not a phone or tablet.

Note: the brake, electrical, emissions, engine, fuel, heating and cooling, safety inspection, and suspension and steering sets cover vehicle repair topics for technicians. They are useful for automotive work, but they are not part of the permit exam.

Sources & last verified

1. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles — number of questions, exam fee, validity, renewal (official source). “You will be given 25 minutes to complete the exam. The exam consists of **25** questions. You must answer **18** questions correctly to pass.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
2. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles — time limit, passing score, retake fee, retake policy (official source). “To pass the exam, you must answer 18 questions correctly within the allotted time of 25 minutes. Once the exam is started, you may not…” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.