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Massachusetts driving lesson · Junior Operator License Law

Passenger & Night Restrictions

A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Junior Operator License Law
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
18, 19

For your first six months, a JOL limits who may ride with you. For as long as you're a junior operator, it also limits when you may drive at night. These two restrictions are the heart of the JOL law and appear often on the test.

Know the rule

During the first six months after receiving your JOL, you may not drive with any passenger under 18 (other than immediate family) unless accompanied by someone who is at least 21, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid Massachusetts or other-state license, and sits beside you.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
6 months

Length of the JOL passenger restriction (it ends sooner if you turn 18)

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

The passenger restriction is lifted once you complete the six-month period or reach age 18, whichever comes first.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

The six-month passenger period stops running during any suspension. When your JOL is reinstated, you must finish the time that remained, unless you have already turned 18.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
12:30–5:00 a.m.

Hours a JOL holder may not drive unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

If you drive during the night restriction, you may be charged with operating a motor vehicle without being licensed, a criminal violation.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Secondary enforcement

Between 12:30–1:00 a.m. and 4:00–5:00 a.m., police enforce the night restriction only after lawfully stopping a junior operator for another offense. Driving then is still illegal.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile electronic device for any reason while driving, even in hands-free mode. The only exception is reporting an emergency.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

You got your JOL two months ago and want to drive your 17-year-old friend home. That's not allowed unless a licensed person 21 or older with a year of experience sits beside you. Your 15-year-old brother, as immediate family, may ride with you.

Put it into practice

It's 12:45 a.m. and you're driving home with your licensed aunt in the passenger seat. Only a parent or legal guardian satisfies the night restriction, so this is a violation.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

During your first six months with a JOL and no qualifying adult beside you, which passengers under 18 may ride with you?
  1. Any friend under 18
  2. Only immediate family members
  3. Up to two friends
  4. Anyone with their own license

Answer: Only immediate family members

For the first six months, the only passengers under 18 allowed without a qualifying adult are immediate family members.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
During your first six months with a JOL, what allows you to carry a non-family passenger under 18?
  1. Having a clean driving record
  2. Turning 17 years old
  3. A 21+ driver with a year of experience
  4. Completing 20 hours of supervised driving

Answer: A 21+ driver with a year of experience

The passenger restriction does not apply when a licensed driver 21 or older with at least one year of experience sits beside you.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
During what hours may a JOL holder not drive without a parent or guardian present?
  1. 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  2. 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
  3. 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
  4. 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Answer: 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

JOL holders may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a parent or guardian.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
Between which hours is the JOL night restriction only enforced as a secondary offense?
  1. 12:30–1:00 a.m. and 4:00–5:00 a.m.
  2. Midnight to 12:30 a.m. only
  3. 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
  4. The whole restriction period

Answer: 12:30–1:00 a.m. and 4:00–5:00 a.m.

Secondary enforcement applies during 12:30–1:00 a.m. and 4:00–5:00 a.m.; police may only cite it if you're stopped for another reason.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
If a JOL holder turns 18 while still within their six-month passenger restriction period, what happens to the restriction?
  1. It continues until the full six months pass
  2. It ends immediately at age 18
  3. It doubles in length
  4. It is replaced by a new restriction

Answer: It ends immediately at age 18

The passenger restriction lifts once the six-month period ends or the driver turns 18, whichever comes first.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
During the first six months of a JOL, the under-18 passenger restriction does not apply to the driver's immediate family members.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Immediate family members are exempt from the under-18 passenger restriction.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
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