Massachusetts Road Signs & Driver Knowledge Test Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 25
- Passing score
- 72% (18 of 25 correct, within 25 minutes)
- Exam fee
- $0
- Governing body
- Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
The Massachusetts Road Signs & Driver Knowledge Test is the written portion of the state's learner's permit exam, administered by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). It's required for new drivers applying for a Massachusetts learner's permit, and it checks whether you can recognize common road signs and apply basic rules of the road before you're allowed to practice driving.
Overview
The RMV's knowledge test covers several topic areas together in a single 25-question exam: identifying road signs, rules of the road, alcohol misuse, license suspensions, and junior operator license (JOL) violations. Road signs are not tested as a standalone section — they're woven into the same question set as the other topics.
- Identifying road signs and their meanings
- Rules of the road
- Alcohol misuse and its effect on driving
- License suspensions
- Junior operator license (JOL) violations
Exam format
The exam has 25 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 18 correctly (72%) within 25 minutes to pass.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Massachusetts RMV learner's permit exam?
The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions.
What is the passing score for the Massachusetts permit exam?
You must correctly answer at least 18 of the 25 questions, a 72% score, to pass.
Is there a time limit for the exam?
Yes, you have 25 minutes to complete the exam and must answer at least 18 questions correctly in that time.
Are road signs tested on the real Massachusetts permit exam?
Yes, identifying road signs is one of the topics covered, along with rules of the road, alcohol misuse, suspensions, and JOL violations.
What happens if I don't pass the exam on my first attempt?
Requirements for retesting and any waiting period are set by the Massachusetts RMV, so check the official Massachusetts Driver's Manual or current RMV guidance for retake rules.
How much does it cost to take the Massachusetts learner's permit exam?
Exam and permit fees are set by the Massachusetts RMV and can change, so confirm current amounts through the official Massachusetts RMV fee schedule before you go.
Sources
- 1.Massachusetts driver knowledge test — official test description — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- Learner's Permit FAQs (MA RMV)Massachusetts RMVmass.gov
- Learner's Permit Exam Overview (MA RMV)Massachusetts RMVmass.gov
- RMV Fees Common Transactions CSV (mass.gov RMV fees page)Massachusetts RMVmass.gov
- Massachusetts driver knowledge test — official test descriptionMassachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)mass.gov
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