Massachusetts DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: They increase sharply — a fifth offense carries a lifetime license loss

OUI penalties escalate with each conviction: two years for a second, eight years for a third (felony), ten years for a fourth (felony), and a lifetime loss of license for a fifth offense.

Correct answer: 180 days

If you are under 21 and you buy, or try to buy, alcohol, your license will be suspended for 180 days.

Correct answer: About 30 percent

Each year in the United States, alcohol causes about 30% of all highway deaths — not counting the many people seriously hurt or permanently disabled by drivers operating under the influence.

Correct answer: Notify the local police and, if possible, the animal’s owner

If you injure a cat, dog, or any other animal, notify the local police and, if possible, the animal’s owner. Failing to do so can result in a fine under M.G.L. Chapter 272, Section 80H.

Correct answer: Up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in state prison

Leaving the scene after a crash causing a personal injury that resulted in death carries up to a $5,000 fine and imprisonment of up to 2½ years in jail or up to 10 years in state prison.

Correct answer: Complete a Driver Retraining course within 90 days or your license will be suspended

With three surchargeable events in two years, the RMV will order you to complete the Massachusetts Driver Retraining course. You must finish it within 90 days or your license will be suspended until you do. Seven surchargeable events in three years brings an automatic 60-day suspension.

Correct answer: Pay the reinstatement fee AND pass a learner’s permit exam and road test again

You must pay a reinstatement fee (most are $100; serious offenses can be as high as $1,200), and for suspensions of two years or more you must also pass a learner’s permit exam and road test to reinstate your license.

Correct answer: You will fail and will not be allowed to hold any driver’s license or permit for 60 days

Using a manual, other reference material, or an electronic device during the exam is considered cheating. If you are found responsible for cheating, you will fail and will not be allowed to hold any type of driver’s license or permit for 60 days.

Correct answer: 20/40

For a full license, your vision must be at least 20/40 visual acuity in your better eye (corrected) and at least 120 degrees of horizontal peripheral vision. Corrected vision between 20/50 and 20/70 may qualify you only for a daylight-only license.

Correct answer: 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

As a JOL holder, you may not operate a motor vehicle between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Driving in violation of this restriction can be charged as operating without a license, a criminal violation.

Correct answer: 90 days for a first speeding offense; one year for a first drag racing offense

A Junior Operator faces a 90-day suspension for a first speeding offense (one year for a subsequent offense) and a one-year suspension for a first drag racing offense (three years for a subsequent offense).

Correct answer: A $100 fine

You may not park in a posted bus stop, and the penalty for doing so is a $100 fine. Blocking a bus stop forces buses to unload passengers into the travel lane.

Correct answer: $300

Parking in a space posted for HP-DV use without disability plates or a placard carries a $300 fine for a first offense. Wrongful use of a disabled-person plate or placard is a minimum $500 fine.

Correct answer: Return them to the place where you bought them for proper disposal

You must return used motor oil, transmission fluid, and other hazardous materials to the place you bought them. The garage or store that sold them is responsible for disposal.

Correct answer: Enter from the left lane, travel through the middle or inner lane, then exit onto the right lane

For a three-quarter turn or U-turn in a multi-lane rotary with no signs, enter from the left lane, travel through the middle or inner lane, and exit onto the right lane. For a quarter-turn or to go straight, use the right lane throughout.

Correct answer: Roundabouts are generally smaller and require vehicles to slow to 25 mph or less

Roundabouts are similar to rotaries but are generally much smaller, with a smaller central barrier. Their small size requires vehicles to reduce speed to 25 mph or less, and you follow the same entering and lane rules as for a rotary.

Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the person has safely crossed

You must always yield to visually impaired pedestrians. The White Cane Law requires a driver to come to a complete stop when a blind pedestrian is crossing a street, and to remain stopped until they have safely crossed. Do not honk or wave the person on.

Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the throughway

On a designated throughway, you must yield the right-of-way to traffic on the throughway before you turn.

Correct answer: $100

The penalties for using a hand-held device while driving are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second (plus a distracted-driving program), and $500 for a third or later offense.

Correct answer: 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 200 feet of a vehicle you are following

You must lower your high beams to low beam when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle traveling ahead of you, so you do not blind the other driver.

Correct answer: Get everyone out immediately and run away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle toward the oncoming train, then call 911

If a train is coming, get everyone out of the vehicle immediately. Run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks toward the direction the train is coming (to avoid flying wreckage), then call 911.

Correct answer: At least 15 feet

If the railroad lights begin to flash, you must stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate and remain stopped until the gate raises and the lights stop flashing. Never drive around a lowered gate.

Correct answer: A white crossbuck sign

The point at which train tracks cross a road is marked with a white crossbuck sign. If more than one track crosses, the number of tracks is posted below the crossbuck.

Correct answer: A special lane restriction, such as "high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) only" or "bus only"

A white diamond symbol means there is a special lane restriction, like high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) only or bus only. White arrows show lane directions or restrictions.

Correct answer: A traffic island or marking that guides traffic; you cannot drive over or park on it unless directed by police

A channelizing island guides traffic along certain paths and prevents driving on parts of the roadway. You cannot drive over or park a motor vehicle on any channelizing island unless directed to do so by a police officer.