Massachusetts Permit Test (RMV Learner's Permit Exam) — All Questions

A red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign means you must:

• a.Slow down and yield
• b.Come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe✓
• c.Stop only for pedestrians
• d.Merge to the left

A red octagon is a STOP sign; stop fully at the stop line or crosswalk, then go when it is safe. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, traffic signs)

A yellow, diamond-shaped sign usually indicates:

• a.A speed you must obey
• b.A rest area ahead
• c.A warning of a hazard or change ahead✓
• d.A closed road

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs alerting you to a hazard or a change in the road ahead. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, warning signs)

A solid double yellow line in the center of the road means:

• a.Passing is allowed both directions
• b.The lane is for turning only
• c.You may cross to pass when clear
• d.Do not cross the line to pass✓

Solid double yellow center lines separate opposing traffic and may not be crossed to pass. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, pavement markings)

A steady yellow traffic signal means:

• a.The light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely✓
• b.Speed up to clear the intersection
• c.The signal is out of service
• d.Turn left only

A steady yellow light warns that red is coming; stop if you can do so safely rather than entering on red. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, traffic signals)

A white rectangular sign posting a number with SPEED LIMIT is:

• a.An advisory speed for a curve
• b.A regulatory sign you must obey✓
• c.A warning of a school zone only
• d.A guide sign for services

White rectangular regulatory signs give the legal maximum speed you must not exceed. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, regulatory signs)

At a four-way stop where two vehicles arrive at the same time, the right-of-way goes to:

• a.The vehicle on the right✓
• b.The larger vehicle
• c.The vehicle on the left
• d.The vehicle going straight

When vehicles reach a four-way stop together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, right-of-way)

When entering a rotary or roundabout, you must:

• a.Stop before entering every time
• b.Travel clockwise
• c.Yield to pedestrians and to traffic already in the rotary✓
• d.Speed up to merge

Vehicles entering a rotary must yield to pedestrians and to traffic already circulating in it. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, rotaries)

Turning left at a green light with oncoming traffic, you should:

• a.Turn at once
• b.Expect oncoming cars to stop
• c.Sound your horn and turn
• d.Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians until it is safe✓

A left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians before turning. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, right-of-way)

When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, you should:

• a.Speed up to clear the area
• b.Pull to the right and stop until it passes✓
• c.Stop immediately where you are
• d.Keep driving normally

Pull to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until the emergency vehicle passes. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, emergency vehicles)

A school bus ahead on an undivided road stops with flashing red lights. You must:

• a.Stop in both directions and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing✓
• b.Pass slowly on the left
• c.Continue if no children are visible
• d.Sound your horn and pass

On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights until they stop and the bus moves. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, school buses)

A common rule for keeping a safe following distance is to:

• a.Stay one car length back at all speeds
• b.Match the car ahead
• c.Keep at least a two-second gap and increase it in poor conditions✓
• d.Follow closely to save time

Keep at least a two-second following gap in good conditions and increase it in rain, fog, or on slippery roads. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, following distance)

When sharing the road with a motorcycle, you should:

• a.Share the lane side by side
• b.Give it a full lane and extra following room✓
• c.Pass with only inches of space
• d.Assume it can stop instantly

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane and are easy to miss; give them room and check your blind spots. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, sharing the road)

In a marked work zone you should:

• a.Keep your normal speed
• b.Change lanes frequently
• c.Follow the car ahead closely
• d.Slow down, obey posted limits, and watch for workers✓

Reduce speed in work zones, obey the posted limits and flaggers, and watch for workers and equipment; fines are often doubled. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, work zones)

Massachusetts law on seat belts requires that:

• a.All drivers and passengers wear a seat belt, and young children use a child restraint✓
• b.Only the driver buckle up
• c.Seat belts are optional for back seats
• d.Only children under 2 be restrained

Massachusetts requires all occupants to wear a seat belt, and children under a certain age or height must use a child restraint. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, occupant protection)

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a thickly settled or business district is commonly:

• a.20 mph
• b.30 mph✓
• c.45 mph
• d.55 mph

The default limit in a thickly settled or business district is commonly 30 mph unless a sign posts a different limit. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, speed limits)

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a school zone is commonly:

• a.20 mph✓
• b.35 mph
• c.45 mph
• d.50 mph

School zones commonly carry a 20 mph limit when children are present or during posted hours. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, speed limits)

In rain, snow, or fog you should:

• a.Keep your normal speed
• b.Follow more closely to see
• c.Reduce speed and increase following distance✓
• d.Use high beams in fog

Poor weather lowers traction and visibility, so slow down and leave more space to stop. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, adjusting to conditions)

Even when you are below the posted speed limit, you must:

• a.Always drive the maximum
• b.Speed up to match traffic
• c.Never slow down
• d.Drive at a speed that is reasonable and safe for the conditions✓

You must always drive at a speed that is reasonable and proper for traffic, road, and weather conditions, even below the posted limit. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, speed)

In Massachusetts, a driver 21 or older is considered legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of:

• a.0.05 percent
• b.0.08 percent✓
• c.0.10 percent
• d.0.12 percent

The adult legal limit is 0.08 percent BAC; you can still be charged below that if impaired. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, operating under the influence)

Under the Junior Operator Law, a driver under 21 can lose their license at a BAC as low as:

• a.0.08 percent
• b.0.05 percent
• c.0.02 percent✓
• d.0.10 percent

Massachusetts applies a 0.02 percent BAC limit to drivers under 21 under the Junior Operator Law's zero-tolerance rule. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Junior Operator Law)

During the first months with a junior operator license, an under-18 driver generally may not:

• a.Drive alone late at night or carry young passengers, with limited exceptions✓
• b.Drive on any road
• c.Drive with a licensed parent
• d.Use the highway at any time

For the first months, junior operators may not drive between the late-night restricted hours or carry passengers under 18 (other than family), unless supervised. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Junior Operator Law)

A junior operator caught speeding faces penalties that are:

• a.The same as for adults
• b.Only a warning
• c.A small fine with no suspension
• d.Tougher, including license suspension and required retraining✓

The Junior Operator Law imposes stiffer penalties on drivers under 18, including license suspension and mandatory retraining and driver-education courses. (Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Junior Operator Law penalties)