Massachusetts RMV Road Test Checklist: Your Class D & M Guide

Quick Answer: Massachusetts Road Test Checklist at a Glance

Before your appointment, make sure you have:

• Fees paid online at Mass.Gov/RoadTest
• Original learner’s permit
• Completed and signed road test application
• A qualified sponsor (Class D only) with a physical US license
• A compliant vehicle: valid registration, inspection sticker, working lights, and an accessible parking brake

1. Road Test and License Fees Must Be Paid Online: 72-Hour Cancellation Required

You need to pay Class D and M road test and license fees online by visiting the fees section at Mass.Gov/RoadTest. Paying online in advance means no extra trip to the Service Center.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, you must provide at least 72 hours notice. Canceling with less than 72 hours notice means you pay the road test fee for both the original and the new appointment.

2. Applicant Requirements for the Massachusetts Road Test

Applicants should meet the following requirements for the Class D or M road test:

• Arrive at the RMV location with your sponsor at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment
• Bring your original, readable learner’s permit (or a duplicate if the original is lost)
• Download and print your completed road test application from Mass.Gov/RoadTest and bring it with you
• If you answered Yes to questions 1 or 2 in the mandatory questions section of the application, a designated RMV employee must approve it before the test begins
• The application must be signed by a parent, guardian, child guardian division, or headmaster of a boarding school if you are under 18

Class D Sponsor Requirements

Class D applicants must be accompanied by a sponsor who is:

• At least 21 years of age
• In possession of a valid US license issued by a US state or territory with at least one year of driving experience
• Present with their physical license. An electronic image is not acceptable
• A person holding a foreign, non-US license cannot serve as a sponsor

Class M Applicants

• Class M applicants must be 18 years of age or older. If under 18, you cannot take the RMV Class M road test. To get a Class M license, complete a Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) basic rider course
• Motorcycle road test applicants do NOT need a sponsor

Additional Applicant Rules

• Read all requirements on the back of the information sheet before your appointment
• During the test, only the applicant and sponsor may be in the vehicle. Certified service animals (ADA Title II) and language interpreters are exempt. Children are not allowed in the vehicle during the road test
• All vehicle occupants should wear facial covers during the road test, though this is not mandatory
• Learn the hand signals for stops and turns. You will demonstrate these to the examiner at the start of the test

3. Vehicle Requirements for the Massachusetts Road Test

Vehicles used for Class D or M road tests must meet all requirements below and will be inspected before the test starts. This includes vehicles with adaptive equipment and vehicles with ignition interlock devices.

• Must be capable of passing the safety check
• Bring valid registration and a current inspection sticker
• Must have a rear seat with enough space for the examiner to sit near the operator
• The examiner needs to be able to apply the parking brake in an emergency
• Vehicles with a center console that does not include a parking brake cannot be used
• Any vehicle that does not give the examiner clear access to the parking brake cannot be used

Note: If your vehicle does not pass the inspection, the RMV cancels the road test. However, you will not owe a fee in that case.

Preparing your vehicle in advance is one of the most effective ways to avoid a last-minute cancellation. For a complete road test vehicle compliance walkthrough, see CMSC’s guide on how to prepare for your Massachusetts road test.

4. Out-of-State Registered Vehicles

If you are using an out-of-state registered vehicle for your Massachusetts road test, bring proof of insurance coverage. Coverage must meet Massachusetts minimum requirements: $20,000/$40,000 for personal injury and $5,000 for property damage.

5. Rental Vehicles

To take the road test in a rental vehicle, bring the rental agreement and written permission on the rental company’s letterhead, signed by an authorized representative, along with the car title.

6. Cancelled and Rejected Road Tests

Road tests may be cancelled due to weather, road conditions, or a declared state of emergency in your area. Before heading to your appointment, check Mass.Gov/RMV for any service updates.

The Road Test Examiner may also cancel your road test for safety reasons. This happens when the examiner:

• Identifies that the applicant or sponsor appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other substances
• Detects cannabis or alcohol odors on the applicant, sponsor, or in the vehicle
• Observes minor children, including infants in car seats, who cannot be left unattended at the Service Center during the test

In the case of a failure, rejection, cancellation with less than 72 hours notice, or a no-show, you owe the road test fee. Rescheduling is the applicant’s responsibility. For a full breakdown of what causes an automatic failure, see CMSC’s guide on automatic fails on the Massachusetts driving test.

7. Ethical and Professional Behavior Requirements

Massachusetts law prohibits any attempt by the sponsor, applicant, driving school, or associated individual to influence the road test outcome by offering gifts, money, or bribes.

Threats, physical abuse, or verbal abuse toward the Road Test Examiner will not be tolerated. As a result, the applicant’s ability to schedule a follow-up road test may be delayed by the RMV.

If the licensee did not fulfill the legal minimum requirements for the road test, the Registrar retains the authority to cancel and recall any license issued.

What to Do on the Morning of Your Massachusetts Road Test

Knowing the checklist is one thing. Arriving prepared on test day is another. Drivers who take a few minutes to run through these morning-of steps consistently perform better than those who show up without a plan.

Confirm Your Documents Before You Leave

• Original learner’s permit
• Completed and signed road test application
• Vehicle registration and inspection sticker
• Proof of insurance (out-of-state vehicles) or rental agreement (rental vehicles)
• Sponsor’s physical US driver’s license

Inspect Your Vehicle Before Leaving Home

• Confirm all lights work: headlights, brake lights, turn signals, taillights
• Test windshield wipers
• Confirm the horn works
• Make sure the parking brake is accessible and functional
• Check that no dashboard warning lights are on

Arrive at Least 15 Minutes Early

The RMV requires applicants to arrive with their sponsor at least 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment. Arriving late results in cancellation. Budget extra time for traffic, parking, and locating the correct RMV Service Center entrance for road tests.

What Happens After Your Massachusetts Road Test

If You Pass

The examiner stamps your learner’s permit immediately upon passing, upgrading it to a temporary driver’s license on the spot. Your permanent laminated license arrives by mail within approximately four weeks. If you paid fees online through myRMV before or after the test, you do not need to visit the Service Center again. If you have not paid yet, you have 60 calendar days from the test date to do so.

If You Do Not Pass

You may retake the Massachusetts road test after a minimum waiting period of two weeks. The $35 fee applies for each attempt. Massachusetts limits retakes to six times within any 12-month period. Before retaking, ask your instructor which specific maneuvers produced deductions. Targeting those skills in focused lessons is far more effective than general review. For guidance on next steps, see CMSC’s failed Massachusetts road test guide.

How CMSC Helps You Pass Your Massachusetts Road Test

CMSC’s road test preparation and sponsorship service goes beyond general preparation. Specifically, the service includes a warmup lesson on the morning of the exam, conducted in the test vehicle on the actual test roads before the examiner arrives. By the time the examiner enters the car, the student has already driven the evaluation route with an instructor present that same morning.

CMSC provides classroom instruction on the rules of the road and safe driving practices. Additionally, behind-the-wheel training with experienced instructors covers all skills evaluated on the road test, including parallel parking, backing up in a straight line, three-point turns, and proper lane management. Vehicle compliance is also confirmed before the exam so nothing is left to chance.

Spanish-speaking applicants can also access CMSC’s Spanish Driving School services, making road test preparation available in their preferred language.

For additional tips to boost your confidence, read 7 Professional Tips for New Drivers by CMSC Driving School.

What CMSC Students Say About the Road Test

“George is INCREDIBLE. I took the road test 5 times and today I just passed thanks to George!!! RUN don’t walk to go see him. You will pass!” – Aleah Wilson, verified CMSC student

“He put my son at ease and he enjoyed his lessons with him while learning a lot of safe driving info. He made the experience much less stressful and my son drives with confidence after passing his road test on the first attempt.” – Linda Jones, verified CMSC parent

“He taught me everything I needed to become a safe and responsible driver and I even ended up passing my road test on the first try!” – Demetria Bosnakis, verified CMSC student

Rated 4.9 stars across more than 3,379 verified Google reviews. CMSC has trained over 100,000 Massachusetts drivers since 1986.