Massachusetts drivers aged 16 or older take the Class D learner's permit exam at an RMV Service Center or online. This page explains the official format: 25 questions, 18 correct answers to pass, and a 25-minute limit. It also covers the $30 fee and the retake rules. It links to our free practice sets and says which ones match the permit exam and which ones cover vehicle repair topics.
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.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (Class D learner's permit exam) | 25 questions[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit (Class D learner's permit exam) | 25 minutes[2] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score (Class D learner's permit exam) | 18 of 25 correct[2] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Class D learner's permit exam) | $30 application fee[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake fee (Class D learner's permit exam) | $30 per attempt[2] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy (Class D learner's permit exam) | Retake online via myRMV or rebook at a Service Center[2] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity (Class D learner's permit exam) | 2 years (or length of U.S. stay)[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal (Class D learner's permit exam) | Expired permit: reapply and retake exam[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery (Class D learner's permit exam) | RMV Service Center or online (webcam-proctored; no phone/tablet)[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility (Class D learner's permit exam) | Age 16+; written consent under 18[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Registration opens (Class D learner's permit exam) | Apply online, then book a Service Center appointment[1] | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles · Oct 25, 2026 |
Prepare for the RMV - Registry of Motor Vehicles exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
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.
Question: What environmental regulation applies to emissions control?
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.
Question: How should a technician verify a suspension and steering repair is complete?
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.
Question: What safety precaution is critical when performing engine diagnostics work?
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.
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.
The Class D learner's permit exam has 25 questions, and you must answer 18 correctly to pass. You have 25 minutes to finish, and once the exam starts you cannot pause it. Timed practice helps you get used to that pace before test day.
Yes. You can take the exam online with webcam proctoring, or at an RMV Service Center during your learner's permit appointment. The online version cannot be taken on a phone or tablet, so plan to use a computer with a working webcam.
The learner's permit application fee is $30, and each permit exam attempt also costs $30. If you take the exam online through myRMV, you pay the exam fee by debit card, credit card or bank account. Check mass.gov before you pay, because fees can change.
You can take it again. You can retake the exam online through myRMV or book another appointment at an RMV Service Center. Each attempt costs $30. Before you retake it, go over the questions you missed in practice and reread the official material on those topics.
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. Apply online first, then book a Service Center appointment.
A permit is valid for 2 years or for the length of your stay in the U.S. If your permit expires, you have to reapply and retake the exam, which means paying the fees again. It is worth planning your road test before the permit runs out.
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