Getting a Massachusetts
Driver’s License
Obtaining a Massachusetts Driver’s License will give you the ability to drive a car in the United States. If you are at least
18 years of age and have not had your right to operate a vehicle taken away, you can apply for a license to drive a
passenger vehicle. As an international student, you would most likely be interested in getting a Class D (passenger)
license. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, there are additional regulations for obtaining a permit and license.
Applying for a Class D Permit
A Class D Permit is the first step required to earn a license. A permit gives you the ability to practice your driving skills as
long as you have a licensed driver age 21 or older, with at least 1 year of driving experience in the United States, in the
passenger seat with you. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE ALONE IF YOU ONLY HAVE A PERMIT. To get your permit, you must
bring the following four original documents to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV):
Document proving date of birth (such as a Certificate of Attendance with DOB from the International House)
Document proving signature (such as a passport with visa, I-94, and I-20 OR DS-2019)
Document proving Massachusetts residency (such as a lease or a printed bank statement with your address)
A Social Security Number (SSN) OR an acceptable Denial Notice form the Social Security Administration.
If presenting a Denial Notice, you must also bring:
o Proof of visa status
o I-94
o Current non-U.S. Passport
Upon arrival at the RMV, you will fill out a Class D, M, or D/M License and ID Card Application (available at the RMV) and
pay the $30 application fee (cash, check, or credit card). You will also be required to take an eye exam. From there, you
will be required to take the written test. The test is available in 27 different languages if you do not wish to take the test
in English. To pass, you must answer at least 18 of the 25 questions correctly. It is recommended you read and fully
understand the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual before taking the test. You can find the manual here:
http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/dmanual/
Applying for a Class D License
You can apply for a license at any time as long as you are over 18 and have a Class D permit. To take the road test, you
must schedule by phone or online ahead of time and show up at the designated location for your appointment. More
information can be found here: http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/roadtests/ . For the road test, you must have a sponsor
with you who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience in the United States, and possesses a
valid U.S. driver’s license. Foreign license holders are not eligible to be sponsors. Additionally, you must bring:
A completed Class D Road Test Application
Your valid Class D Permit
A Vehicle
Once you pass the road test, your permit will be stamped and signed by the examiner. You must bring the signed permit,
a completed Class D, M, or D/M License and ID Card Application, and the appropriate fee to the RMV to get your license.
As of July 1
st
, 2014, the fee for a road test is $35 and the fee for a Class D License is $50.