Massachusetts driver handbook guide
Massachusetts driver handbook guide.
Use this guide to navigate the 29 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s Massachusetts course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 61 companion lessons.
- Handbook chapters
- 29
- Source PDF pages
- 140
- Companion lessons
- 61
- Licensing agency
- RMV
A way through the handbook
Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.
For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.
Chapter list
- A Message to Massachusetts Motorists Source p. 1
- Table of Contents Source p. 3
- Introduction Source p. 7
- Chapter 1: Obtaining Your License Source p. 9
- Junior Operator License Law Source p. 17
- Getting a Learner's Permit Source p. 23
- Taking the Road Test Source p. 28
- Converting Your License Source p. 35
- Chapter 2: Safety First Source p. 41
- Distracted Driving Law Source p. 47
- Safe Distances and Braking Source p. 51
- Night, Drowsy, Rain and Winter Driving Source p. 54
- Vulnerable Road Users, Pedestrians and Bicycles Source p. 57
- Motorcycles, Mopeds and Scooters Source p. 59
- Chapter 3: Keeping Your License Source p. 63
- Surchargeable Events Source p. 67
- License Suspension or Revocation Source p. 69
- Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving Source p. 79
- Chapter 4: Rules of the Road Source p. 85
- Speed Limits Source p. 87
- Traffic Signals Source p. 88
- Traffic Signs Source p. 91
- Pavement Markings Source p. 97
- Lanes, Intersections, and Turns Source p. 101
- Right-of-Way Rules Source p. 107
- Rules for Passing and Sharing the Road Source p. 110
- Parking Source p. 117
- Chapter 5: Special Driving Situations Source p. 127
- Traffic Crashes Source p. 136
What you will find in each chapter
Chapter 1 · source p. 1
A Message to Massachusetts Motorists
Read this chapter in the study app to see its complete text, source page references, and any accompanying illustrations.
Open this handbook chapterChapter 2 · source p. 3
Table of Contents
This chapter’s sections include:
- Chapter 1 Obtaining Your License
- Requirements to Obtain a JOL
- Chapter 2 Safety First
- Chapter 3 Keeping Your License
Chapter 3 · source p. 7
Introduction
This chapter’s sections include:
- How to Use This Manual
Chapter 4 · source p. 9
Chapter 1: Obtaining Your License
This chapter’s sections include:
- Your License
- Who Needs a Massachusetts License?
- Out-of-State/Out-of-Country Residents
- Licensing Rules for Military Personnel
- RMV Contact Center: 857-368-8000
- 800-858-3926 (from all other MA area codes)
- Who is Eligible for a Massachusetts License?
- Residents
- Age Requirement
- Parent/ Guardian Consent
- Facial Image Policy
- Vision Screening Requirements
- Driving Record Verification
- REAL ID and Standard Massachusetts Cards (License/ID)
- What You Need to Travel
- License Classes
- Vehicles Permitted restrictions or endorsements, see the CDL Manual on
- License Length
- Restrictions
- List of Restrictions
Chapter 5 · source p. 17
Junior Operator License Law
This chapter’s sections include:
- Medical Restrictions
- Junior Operator Restrictions The Junior Operator License Law
- Requirements to Obtain a JOL
- JOL License Restrictions
- Identification Requirements
- (not valid for federal purposes)
- Social Security Numbers and License Numbers
- Appeals
- Policies and Bonds Division of Insurance
- Applying for a License
Chapter 6 · source p. 23
Getting a Learner's Permit
This chapter’s sections include:
- Getting a Learner’s Permit
- Learner’s Permit Exam Procedures
- Foreign Language Tests
- Audio Exams
- Testing Accommodations
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodations
- Driver’s Education
- P .O . Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205-5889
Chapter 7 · source p. 28
Taking the Road Test
This chapter’s sections include:
- Scheduling a Road Test
- Massachusetts Rider Education Program
- Policies on Cancellations and Fees
- Rejected Road Tests
- Being Prepared for the Road Test guides/road-test-information
- of another state related motor vehicle violations laws in Massachusetts or another state
- Sponsor Requirements
- Passenger Vehicle Requirements
- Repair Plates
- Passenger Vehicle Test Procedures
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Road Tests
- Common Reasons for Failing a Road Test
Chapter 8 · source p. 35
Converting Your License
This chapter’s sections include:
- Receiving Your New License
- Junior Operator License Conversion
- Permit Conversion
- U .S . Virgin Islands • Wake Islands
- Voter Registration call the State Election Line at
- Veteran's Indicator
- Organ and Tissue Donor Program
- Call LifeChoice Donor Services at 1-800-874-5215
- License/ID Fees
Chapter 9 · source p. 41
Chapter 2: Safety First
This chapter’s sections include:
- Chapter 2
- Passenger Vehicle Safety
- TrafficTravelResources/EmergencyRoadsideAssistance .aspx
- Car Safety Kits
- Safety/Seat Belt Law passenger motor vehicle (including vans and small
- Child Passenger Restraints
- How Safety/Seat Belts Work
- Myths About Safety/Seat Belts crash .” belt .” child safety seats .”
- Air-Bag Safety
- Inside the Vehicle
- Distracting Objects
Chapter 10 · source p. 47
Distracted Driving Law
This chapter’s sections include:
- Cell Phones/Mobile Electronic Devices
- Headphones
- Loud Noise
- Televisions
- Truck Beds
- Use
- Drivers 18 and Older
- Drivers Under 18
- What is a Mobile Electronic Device?
- Penalties for Violating the Law
- Driving Defensively
- Your Health and Physical Condition
- Checking Your Vehicle’s Condition
- Brakes and Tires
- Steering
Chapter 11 · source p. 51
Safe Distances and Braking
This chapter’s sections include:
- Lights and Glass
- License Plates
- Safe Distances Around Your Car
- Braking and Stopping
- Beginning Drivers by the American Automobile Association (Ninth
- Using Your Horn, Headlights, and Emergency Signals
Chapter 12 · source p. 54
Night, Drowsy, Rain and Winter Driving
This chapter’s sections include:
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
- Night Driving
- High Beam Headlights
- Drowsy Driving
- Driving in Rain or Fog
- Winter Driving
Chapter 13 · source p. 57
Vulnerable Road Users, Pedestrians and Bicycles
This chapter’s sections include:
- Vulnerable Road Users Law
- Pedestrians
- Bicycles and Mopeds
Chapter 14 · source p. 59
Motorcycles, Mopeds and Scooters
This chapter’s sections include:
- Motorcycles
- Motorcycle Safety
- Motorized Bicycle (Moped) Safety
- Motorized Scooter Safety
- Limited Use Vehicle Safety
- Low Speed Vehicle Safety
- Bicycle Safety Laws
Chapter 15 · source p. 63
Chapter 3: Keeping Your License
This chapter’s sections include:
- Your License
- Motor Vehicle Violations and Penalties
- Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions
- Speeding Violations
- Criminal Violations
- Out-of-State Violations
- At-Fault Crashes
Chapter 16 · source p. 67
Surchargeable Events
This chapter’s sections include:
- Driver Retraining Course
- Standards of Fault
- • Failure to signal
- • Collision at an uncontrolled intersection direction
- • Single-vehicle collision
- • Unattended vehicle collision
- • Noncontact operator causing collision required by law
- Driving Records
Chapter 17 · source p. 69
License Suspension or Revocation
This chapter’s sections include:
- Reasons for License Suspension
- Mandatory PERMIT Suspensions
- Mandatory LICENSE Suspensions
- Negligent Operation, Loaning/ Allowing Another to Use Your
- Other Reasons for License Suspensions
- •Child support, contact the Department of Revenue’s Child
- Out-of-State Suspensions
- Driving Without a License
- Driving With a Suspended License
- License Reinstatement
Chapter 18 · source p. 79
Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving
This chapter’s sections include:
- Alcohol
- Blood Alcohol Content
- Alcohol Tests
- Under-21 Alcohol Offenses
- Ignition Interlock Devices
- Ignition Interlock Device Road Tests
- Buying, Possessing, or Transporting Alcohol
- Open Container Law
- False or Altered Licenses/Identification Cards
- Substances
- Marijuana criminal offense
- Other Drugs
- Reasons for License Nonrenewal
- License Suspension
Chapter 19 · source p. 85
Chapter 4: Rules of the Road
This chapter’s sections include:
- Road
- Dangers of Speeding
Chapter 20 · source p. 87
Speed Limits
Read this chapter in the study app to see its complete text, source page references, and any accompanying illustrations.
Open this handbook chapterChapter 21 · source p. 88
Traffic Signals
This chapter’s sections include:
- School Zones
- Motor Vehicle Signals
- Steady Red Circle
- Steady Red Arrow
- Flashing Red Circle
- Steady Yellow Circle
- Flashing Yellow Circle
- Flashing Yellow Arrow
- Steady Green Circle
- Green Arrow
- Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
- Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
- Bicycle Signals
- Traffic Signals Not Working
- Pedestrian Signals
Chapter 22 · source p. 91
Traffic Signs
This chapter’s sections include:
- Laws for Drivers
- Laws for Pedestrians
- Regulatory
- Warning
- Guides and Directions
- Stop and Yield Signs
- Regulatory Signs
- Warning Signs
- Guide Signs
- Railroad Crossings
- Roadway Construction/ Maintenance (Work Zones)
Chapter 23 · source p. 97
Pavement Markings
This chapter’s sections include:
- White Lane Lines
- Broken White Line
- Solid White Line
- Double Solid White Line
- Yellow Lane Lines
- Broken Yellow Line
- Double Yellow Lines: One Solid, One Broken
- Double Yellow Lines: Both Solid
- Words and Symbols
- Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows)
- Bicycle Lanes
- Advisory Bicycle Lanes
- Green Pavement
- Bus Lanes
- Stop Lines, Yield Lines, and Crosswalks
- Channelizing Islands
- Crossing Guards
Chapter 24 · source p. 101
Lanes, Intersections, and Turns
This chapter’s sections include:
- Signaling
- Using Lanes
- Restricted Lanes
- Highway Driving
- Entering and Exiting the Highway
- Driving on the Highway
- Intersections
- Turns
- Turns on Red
- U-Turns
- Left Turns from Center Lanes
- Three-Point Turns
Chapter 25 · source p. 107
Right-of-Way Rules
This chapter’s sections include:
- Backing Up
- Pedestrians
- Intersections Not Controlled by Signs or Signals
- Four-Way Stop
- Turning Left
- Private Roads, Driveways, and Unpaved Roads
- Throughways
- Lane Road
- Rotaries
- Rotary Traffic Rules
- Choosing a Lane
Chapter 26 · source p. 110
Rules for Passing and Sharing the Road
This chapter’s sections include:
- Roundabouts
- Courtesy Crashes
- Rules for Passing
- Passing on the Left
- Passing on the Right
- Being Passed
- Passing Stopped Vehicles
- Road Respect/Sharing the Road
- School Buses
- Trucks and Other Large Vehicles
- Buses and Trolleys
- Slow-Moving Vehicles
- Funeral Processions
- Road Workers and Repair Crews
- Animals and Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Chapter 27 · source p. 117
Parking
This chapter’s sections include:
- Parallel Parking
- Parking on Hills
- Parking Regulations
- Parking Meters
- Parking Permits
- Miscellaneous Rules of the Road
- Rules for Pedestrians The Danger of Open Doors to Bicyclists
- Bicycle Boxes
- Separated Bicycle Lanes
- Common Bicycle Crash Scenarios
Chapter 28 · source p. 127
Chapter 5: Special Driving Situations
This chapter’s sections include:
- Situations
- Moving Emergency Vehicle
- Stationary Emergency and Maintenance Vehicles a Police Officer
- Driving Emergencies
- Skidding
- Running Off the Pavement
- Flat Tire, Blowout, or Wheel Loss
- Brake Failure
- Stuck Gas Pedal
- Vehicle Approaching Head On
- Headlight Failure
- Stalling on Railroad Tracks
- Breakdowns
- Car Catches Fire
- Vehicle Drives into Water
- Driving Through Tunnels
Chapter 29 · source p. 136
Traffic Crashes
This chapter’s sections include:
- If You Are Involved in a Crash
- Property Damage Only
- Crashes Involving Injuries
- Emergency First Aid Tips
- Without Identifying Yourself)
- If You Witness a Crash
- Reporting a Crash
- P .O . Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205-5889
- Drive Smart and Save - “Green Driving” Tips
Turn the reading into a study routine
The Massachusetts course groups the source material into 9 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.
Unit 1 · 8 lessons
Getting Your License
Unit 2 · 4 lessons
Junior Operator License Law
Unit 3 · 5 lessons
Vehicle & Passenger Safety
Unit 4 · 7 lessons
Safe Driving Practices
Unit 5 · 8 lessons
Violations, Suspensions & OUI
Unit 6 · 8 lessons
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Unit 7 · 8 lessons
Right-of-Way, Turns, Lanes & Parking
Unit 8 · 7 lessons
Sharing the Road
Unit 9 · 6 lessons