Driving in Massachusetts

General Information
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. Please see the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website for more details.

Individuals on nonimmigrant visas, whose home countries are listed in Appendix "C" of the current Massachusetts Driver's Manual, have certain benefits. Such individuals may drive for up to one year from their date of entry to the United States with a driver's license issued by their home country. If the driver's license is not in English, an International Driving Permit or a suitable translation of the license is recommended. However, 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.

If you plan to purchase a car, insurance companies usually require a Massachusetts driver's license.

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Obtaining a Driver’s License
The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), issues driver’s licenses in Massachusetts.  You can find the location of an RMV near you at the RMV website.  When you go to the RMV to apply for permission to drive you will need to provide the following:

• A Social Security number (SSN) or a denial letter from the Social Security Administration*
• A document proving your date of birth, such as your passport or birth certificate (with translation if not in English)
• A document with an example of your signature, such as an apartment or house lease; a canceled personal check with your signature and preprinted address (a copy is acceptable if printed on a sheet with other cancelled checks and issued as part of a monthly statement by the bank); or a current or expired non-U.S. driver's license (must be expired for 12 months or less; if not in English, must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit or other acceptable translation)
• Proof of Massachusetts residency, such as a utility bill (telephone, cable, electricity, gas, heating oil) showing your name and current address; a checkbook with your name and preprinted address; or a bank statement with your name and address that you received through the mail
• Your passport, I-94 card, and visa eligibility document (if applicable), such as Form DS-2019, Form I-797 H-1B Approval Notice, or Form I-20 and valid EAD

For more information about acceptable documents, go to the RMV website.

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 25 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 by calling the RMV Telephone Center at (617) 351-4500 or 1-800-858-3926. At the time of the road test, you need to bring:

• Your completed application (can be obtained from the RMV)
• Your learner's permit
• A $20 payment for each scheduled road test
• A registered, insured, and inspected vehicle
• A sponsor (see below)

To take the road test, you must supply a car that has a valid Massachusetts inspection sticker. The vehicle's registration must be presented as well. Please note that the examiner must be able to reach the vehicle's emergency brake or foot brake and a seat must be provided for the sponsor, if a sponsor is required.

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 $40.00.

International License Conversion:  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.

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Purchasing a car
If you choose to buy a car in Massachusetts 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" or contact the UMMS MetLife representative [Office Hours at Shaw Building, Monday - Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., 508-856-1209 - or go to the MetLife website and type in "University of Massachusetts" to obtain free quote]. 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 $36. You may also have to pay $50 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:  You must have your car inspected within 7 days of registering it.  Inspections must be obtained annually. 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. The current cost for inspections is $29.00.

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.

Renting a car
For occasional weekend excursions and trips outside the Worcester area you may want to consider renting a car.

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