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Am I Ready for the Massachusetts Permit Test?
12-question diagnostic · 4 easy, 4 medium, 4 hard · Updated July 12, 2026
Twelve questions, deliberately mixed: four easy, four medium, four of the hardest in our verified Massachusetts bank. The real test needs 72% — but a diagnostic this short needs a margin, so read your result like this: 10+ of 12, you're ready to book; 8–9, you're close — drill the 25 hardest first; below that, work the full test ladder before test day.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. Alcohol is classified as a:
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Correct answer: Depressant that slows your reflexes and distorts your vision and judgment
Alcohol is a depressant. It slows your reflexes, increases the time you need to react, and distorts your vision and judgment. Even small amounts lower the abilities you need to drive safely.
2. Which Massachusetts license class is used to operate ordinary passenger vehicles such as cars, SUVs, and family vans?
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Correct answer: Class D
The Class D license is the most common license and is for passenger vehicles, vans, and small trucks. Class A, B, and C are commercial licenses, and Class M is for motorcycles.
3. When you leave your parked vehicle unattended, Massachusetts law requires you to:
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Correct answer: Stop the motor, set the parking brake, lock the ignition, remove the key, and lock the door
When you leave your vehicle by itself, state law requires you to stop the motor, set the parking brake, make sure the ignition is locked, remove your key, and lock the door.
4. An emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and flashing lights on. You must:
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Correct answer: Pull as close as possible to the right side of the road and stop until it has passed
If an emergency vehicle is coming from any direction, pull as close as possible to the right side of the road and stop until it has passed. Slowly rolling is not acceptable, and you must never stop in the middle of an intersection — drive through and pull over when it is safe.
5. When parking or stopping, how wide a clear roadway must you leave for traffic to pass?
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Correct answer: At least 12 feet wide
You must not create a traffic hazard while parking or while your vehicle is stopped. You must always leave at least a 12-foot-wide clear roadway for traffic to pass.
6. When worn correctly, safety belts lower the chance of death or serious injury in a crash by about:
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Correct answer: 50 percent
When worn correctly, safety belts lower the chance of death or serious injury in a crash by about 50 percent. They keep you from being thrown against the vehicle or ejected.
7. Which of the following is a "vulnerable road user" under Massachusetts law?
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Correct answer: A person using a wheelchair, a bicyclist, or a roadside worker
Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, roadside workers, bicyclists, horse riders, and people using wheelchairs, mobility devices, scooters, skateboards, or roller skates.
8. When is a left turn on a red light permitted in Massachusetts?
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Correct answer: When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding
You may turn left on a red light only when driving on a one-way street and turning onto another one-way street. You must first stop and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
9. How closely may you follow an emergency vehicle that is responding to an alarm?
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Correct answer: No closer than 300 feet
It is illegal to follow closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle responding to an alarm.
10. On a regular road, how far before a turn must you signal?
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Correct answer: At least 100 feet
You must signal your turn at least 100 feet before making the turn. On a highway, you must signal at least 500 feet before a turn.
11. How much space should you keep between your vehicle and heavy equipment such as dump trucks or tractors?
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Correct answer: At least ten seconds
Keep at least ten seconds of space between your vehicle and heavy equipment such as dump trucks and tractors. Never cut in front of heavy equipment or tractor-trailers, which need much more space to stop safely.
12. Compared with driving sober, using alcohol makes the risk of a crash about:
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Correct answer: Five times more likely
Alcohol use makes the risk of a crash five times more likely. Combining alcohol with marijuana makes the risk of a crash twelve times more likely.
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