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You must have a valid driver's license to drive a car in the United States. According to Massachusetts state law, all residents who will drive must obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website provides complete details. Below please find a brief overview.
PLEASE NOTE: As of March 26, 2018 a person applying for a Massachusetts (MA) Driver's License must have immigration document(s) showing a validity period of no less than 12 months (such as Form DS-2019, EAD card, H-1B approval notice, TN admission record). Individuals with documents that indicate a less than 12 month validity period will not be eligible for a MA Driver's License.
Some countries have established arrangements allowing licensed residents to convert their driver's licenses. Upon becoming a Massachusetts resident, valid license holders from one of the following countries can do this without a written or road test: More information
Effective July 2018, under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 90, Section 10, foreign licensed drivers from any country may operate a validly registered motor vehicle in Massachusetts, as long as specific requirements are met. These requirements include carrying your foreign driver's license AND one of these three documents when you drive: (1) an International Driving Permit (IDP), (2) a "Translation into English of a Foreign License Document," or (3) an alternative translation document issued by the government agency that issued the license or that country’s embassy/consulate. More information
However, please note that in practice, police do not always recognize a license from another country. Therefore, all drivers are urged to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license upon arrival, particularly those who anticipate a stay beyond one year (see note above about required validity of immigration documents).
If you plan to purchase a car, insurance companies usually require a Massachusetts driver's license. If you have a Massachusetts driver's license and you move, you must notify the RMV within 30 days of the move. A Massachusetts driver's license or a Massachusetts ID is the most commonly requested form of identification for writing checks, entering bars, etc. Please do not drink alcohol and drive. It is unsafe and against the law.
Initial Application Process
You may obtain a Massachusetts driver's license from the RMV by passing a written examination, obtaining a learner's permit, and then passing the road test. The written test consists of 20 questions and is available in 34 languages. A Driver's Manual, used to study for the written exam, is available at the RMV. If you are unable to take a written examination, you have the right to request an oral exam. In addition, you must have your eyes screened for field vision and basic colors. Both tests are given on a walk-in basis at all full service RMV offices. Once you have passed both the written and eye exams, you will be issued a learner's permit. After you receive a learner's permit, you will be able to schedule the road test, which is a requirement for the Massachusetts driver's license. Learner's permits expire one year from the date of issue. You are not allowed to renew your permit. If you need another permit, a new exam is required. Learner's permits cost $30. Visitors in B-1/B-2 or WB/WT status are not eligible for the Massachusetts driver's license and/or Massachusetts ID.
Scheduling Your Road Test
You can schedule your road test online. At the time of the road test, you need to bring:
Sponsor Requirements: To take the road test, you must be accompanied by a sponsor who is at least 21 years of age, has at least one year of driving experience, and possesses a valid license issued by his/her home state. Foreign driver's license holders are not eligible to be sponsors.
Upon passing the road test, you may exchange your learner's permit for a driver's license. Bring the stamped and signed learner's permit to any RMV full service office to obtain your driver's license. The cost of the actual driver's license is $50.
International License Conversions
People converting licenses from other countries must take a full examination - written and driving (see above). For more detailed information, please consult the Driver's Manual.
Those without a driver's license will find a Massachusetts State ID or Massachusetts Liquor ID extremely useful. Identification is required for many common transactions. It is also required to purchase wine, beer, or alcohol, or to enter bars or nightclubs serving alcohol (the minimum age is 21). While a passport can typically be used, it is not always accepted and can easily be lost or stolen. It is possible to obtain a Massachusetts State ID or Liquor ID (not valid for driving purposes) from the RMV. Although it is not a driver's license, the Massachusetts State ID/Liquor ID is recognized as a valid form of photo identification.You will need to present the same types of identification as for a driver's license (see above), complete an application, and pay a $25 fee. Consult the websites for more information. Visitors in B-1/B-2 or WB/WT status are not eligible for a Massachusetts ID.
You must complete an application for a Massachusetts driver's license, learner's permit, or state identification card in person at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You must bring proof of the following (see details below): identity, valid immigration status, signature, date of birth, and Massachusetts residency.
*Important: You may only use a document for one purpose. For example: you may not use the same document (such as a Social Security card) to prove both your Social Security number and your signature.
Required Documents
1. Proof of identity:
2. Social Security number (SSN) or proof that you are not eligible for a Social Security number:
3. A document that proves your signature:
4. A document that proves your date of birth:
5. Proof of Massachusetts residency:
6. Proof of valid immigration status, including all of these:
PLEASE NOTE: As of March 26, 2018 a person applying for a Massachusetts (MA) Driver's License must have immigration document(s) showing a validity period of no less than 12 months (such as Form DS-2019, EAD card, H-1B approval notice, TN admission record). Individuals with documents that indicate a less than 12 month validity period will not be eligible for a MA Driver's License.
Remember, you cannot use the same document (except the passport) for more than one purpose.
| Watertown RMV 550 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA business hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday |
Boston RMV 136 Blackstone Street Boston, MA (Located at the Haymarket "T" stop on the Green and Orange Lines) business hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday |
*Other RMV locations can be found at the RMV website
Information how to contact the RMV
Owning a car in Massachusetts is expensive. Car-related expenses over time may exceed the price you actually pay for the car. If you buy a car, you will have to purchase car insurance, register your car in Massachusetts, and have your car inspected. Before buying a used car, have a mechanic examine the car. Massachusetts does have a "Buyer's Right to Return Law" which allows the buyer of a used car to return it for a full refund under certain conditions. Be sure the car you want to buy has a "title" (certificate of ownership). To legally transfer ownership of the car over to you, the previous owner must sign the title and give it to you.
Insurance
Massachusetts law requires that all cars have insurance. Therefore, you will need to purchase car insurance. Your insurance company will be able to tell you the current minimum requirements for car insurance in Massachusetts. The price of car insurance is influenced by many factors, including the age of your car, how many years you have been driving, your place of residence, and the type of coverage requested. The average annual cost of insuring a car in Massachusetts ranges from $800 to $1500 per year or higher. To purchase insurance, present the title of the car and your driver's license to any insurance agency. There are many companies to choose from listed in the Yellow Pages under "Insurance." Often, for a small additional fee, the insurance agent will register your car and get the license plates for you at the RMV.
Registering Your Vehicle
If you choose to register the car by yourself, you must do so by the end of the month in which you purchased car insurance. You must bring proof of car insurance, the bill of sale, proof of payment of sales tax, and the certificate of ownership (the "title") to the RMV. Registration will cost about $60. You may also have to pay $75 for a Massachusetts title. You must also pay Massachusetts sales tax if you have not already paid it (about 5%) on either the price you paid for the car or the "NADA" trade-in value of your vehicle (whichever is greater). More information can be found at the RMV website.
Inspection
Finally, you must have your car inspected within 7 days of registering it. Certain gas stations can inspect your car for the required safety features. The insurance agent can give you a list of garages which will inspect your car. You can also find a list on the RMV website. Inspection costs $35.
Remember, many car expenses will be annual expenses. Each year you will have to insure your car, have your car inspected, and pay "excise tax" on the value of your car. The town in which you keep your car will notify you of the amount of excise tax you owe each year.
For occasional weekend excursions and trips outside the Boston area you may want to consider renting a car. Car rental agencies are listed in the Yellow Pages under "Automobile Renting and Leasing." You will need a driver's license and a major credit card. In addition, some companies require the driver to be over 25 years of age. Prices vary between companies. Some companies charge only a daily fee while others charge per day and for each mile driven.
MIT has become a corporate affiliate of Zipcar, allowing discounts for MIT employees and graduate students who become members of the Zipcar service.
Last Updated: November 2018