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Prior to applying for a Massachusetts Motorcycle License (“Class M”) you must obtain a learner’s permit. To obtain a learner’s permit, you must be at least sixteen 16, complete an application, present valid identification, pay a fee, and pass a knowledge test. The Massachusetts motorcycle test consists of 25 questions. To pass, you must get a score of 18 (72%) or more. The test will cover the information from the Massachusetts Motorcycle Manual. If you do not have a Class D license, you must pass both a Class D knowledge test and a Class M knowledge test.
1.
Motorcyclists should ride in a staggered formation:
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when entering highways.
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on long stretches of road.
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when leaving freeways.
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through turns and curves.
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2.
The best way to prevent and overcome fatigue while riding is to:
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drink coffee at least
every two hours.
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avoid using windshields.
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take frequent rest breaks.
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get used to riding more than eight hours a day.
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3.
When preparing to enter the roadway from the roadside, you should position your motorcycle:
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with the rear wheel locked.
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at an angle.
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with your rear wheel touching the curb.
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parallel to the roadside.
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4.
Which of the following is the least effective method of attaching cargo to your motorcycle?
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Tank bags
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Saddlebags
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Elastic cords
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Ropes
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5.
When preparing to pass the vehicle ahead, increase your line of sight by:
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getting the tailgater in front of you.
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riding in the left lane position.
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increasing your speed.
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staying in the center lane position.
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6.
When riding in traffic, motoryclists must not share the same lane with other vehicles because:
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most roads are too narrow.
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dirt and gravel collect
along the sides of the road.
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motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely.
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cars are faster than motorcycles.
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7.
When you are being passed by large vehicles, you are especially in danger because:
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large vehicles cannot accelerate as fast as motorcycles.
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large blasts of wind can affect your control.
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their drivers are often tired from working long hours.
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large vehicles tend to swerve into your lane.
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8.
You can ride your motorcycle between lanes of traffic:
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Never
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whenever it is better to do so.
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only in designated lanes.
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in heavy traffic.
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9.
If you need to brake and swerve to avoid hitting an obstacle, you should:
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brake before or after swerving.
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always brake before swerving.
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never brake after swerving.
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brake while swerving.
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10.
To help you
keep your balance as the motorcycle turns:
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decrease your speed.
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ride in the center lane position.
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keep your knees against the gas tank.
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rise slightly off the seat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a learner’s permit, you must be at least 16 years old. After holding your permit for six months with a clean driving record and completing a driver education program, you can apply for a junior operator license. Your class D driver’s license will be restricted until you reach 18 years old.
You can start your application online and you will receive an email to schedule an appointment at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office you selected. If you prefer to complete the test at home, you are required to apply and visit a Service Center to provide identification documentation. Once the documentation has been verified, you'll receive login instructions to complete the test at home.
You are required to provide specific documents:
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of Social Security Status.
- Proof of Massachusetts residency.
- Written consent from a parent/legal guardian (for applicants under 18).
Use this checklist and view the acceptable documents.
The RMV written test is provided in Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Burmese, Cape Verdean Creole, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Khmer/Cambodian, Kiswahili, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Audio exams are also available in these languages. If you need an oral exam, call 857-368-8105.
You need to read the Massachusetts Driver's Handbook. The exam covers various topics, including road signs, safe driving practices, and road rules. Remember that you cannot use driver's manuals or personal notes, so study the manual carefully and take our free practice tests to verify your preparation.
The RMV written test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you must complete the test within 25 minutes. You have approximately one minute for each question, so carefully read each sentence before selecting your answer and moving on to the next question.
To pass the Massachusetts RMV written test, you need to reach a score of 72%. This means that you must correctly answer 18 questions and can miss a maximum of 7 questions. Sign up for DMV Premium to test your preparation and check if you are ready for the real exam.
All drivers under 18 are not permitted to use any mobile electronic device except for emergency calls. There are also other specific restrictions:
- With a learner’s permit, you are allowed to drive only under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old, has held a driver's license for at least one year, and is seated beside you.
- After obtaining a junior operator license, driving alone is permitted only between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Furthermore, you cannot transport passengers under 18 unless accompanied by a driver who is at least 21 years old and has held a driver's license for at least one year (except when transporting siblings).
A learner’s permit in Massachusetts is valid for 2 years. If it expires, you'll have to apply again and retake the exam. After holding the permit for 6 consecutive months, you can get a junior operator license. If there's any suspension during this period, you'll need to wait another 6 months after the suspension ends.
Instructions will be provided at the end of the RMV written test on how to retake it. Keep in mind that a new fee must be paid. It's important to note that cheating during the exam will result in failure. Additionally, if you are taking the test online, you'll automatically fail if you leave the browser, if you have not clicked a button for more than 2 minutes, or if you exceed the 25 minutes available to complete the exam.