This is an abstract of the Driver's Manual in MA. You can download it from www.mass.gov/rmv # Chapter 1

RMV issues five license classes
- Class A, B, C license: commercial driver's licenses, for large vehicles, like trucks and buses
- Class D license: most common, for passenger vehicles, vans, and small trucks
- Class M license: motorcycles
After May 3, 2023, driver license is not considered as a valid READ ID
Who needs MA license
- All MA residents
- Out-of-sate US residents: at least 16, may drive with valid out-of-state license
- Out-of-country residents: effective July 2018, at least 16, valid foreign license with English translation, may drive private vehicles
- There are special rules for military personnel
Who is eligible for MA license
- A license is for 5 years
- Age requirement
  - No person < 16 can drive in MA
  - For class D/M, apply for learner's permit when age >= 16, but the license itself can only be issued after 16.5, with education program completed
  - For class A/B/C, apply when age >= 18
- Parental consent: when age < 18, must have parental consent
- Photo-image is required for license
- Vision screening requirements
  - Class D/M: >= 20/40 visual acuity in better eye and at least 120 degrees of horizontal peripheral vision for full license. If better eye corrected vision is between 20/50 and 20/70, eligible for daylight only license
License types
- Class A: commercial driver's license, any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating(GCWR) >= 26001 pounds, can drive Class B/C/D with appropriate endorsement
- Class B: any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating(GVWR) >= 26001 pounds, or gle vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR, can drive Class C/D with appropriate endorsement
- Class C: any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A/B, but designed to transport >= 16 passengers( including the driver), or is required to be placarded for hazardous materials, can only have HAZMAT, Tank, School Bus, and Passenger endorsements
- Class D: not meed the definition of class A/B/C/M
- Class M: motor vehicles
There may be restrictions placed on the driving license
- JOL(junior operator law): age >= 16.5 and age < 18
If you hold a Massachusetts learner’s permit or driver’s license or ID, the law requires you to notify the RMV of any address change within 30 days of the change

Chapter 2

Driver history is called the driving record, there types of events can cause you to lose your driving privileges
- Civil motor vehicle infraction
- Criminal violations
- Motor vehicle crashes where you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault
Motor vehicle violations can be civil or criminal.
- Penalties may be stronger if you have JOL, your are under 21, you are a repeat offender, or you are driving with a Commercial Driver's License
- You may get more than one penalty
- Out-of-sate violations impact your record as if they occurred in MA
Civil motor vehicle infractions
- Civil violations are not criminal, they can usually be settled by paying fines, you must pay the fine or request a hearing(pay $25 fee to RMV for the hearing, if you win, this filing fee will be refunded) to dispute it within 20 days, there is a large late fee after 20 days, the record of citation will be on your driving record
- The RMV records all moving violations in MA on your driving record, moving violations can increase insurance rate, or cause your license to be suspended
- Parking violations are not CMVIs, they are handled by the city or town that issued the citations or tickets, if you do not pay the violation, you will not be able to renew your driver's license or vehicle registration
- Speed violation
  - Fine amount: 105 + (speed in mph - limit - 10) * 10
  - All fines for speeding violations include a $50 surcharge, the entire surcharge goes to the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund
  - If you are caught speeding in a posted work zone, the fine is doubled
  - Three speeding violations in a 12-month period: license suspended for 30 days. If you have JOL, the 1st offense will cause a 90-day license suspension. Further offenses will cause a one-year license suspension
Criminal violations
- Criminal violations are serious offenses. If you commit a criminal motor vehicle violation, you may be arrested immediately, your vehicle may be towed, your license may be taken away, and you may be set to jail until you go to court. If you are convicted of a criminal motor vehicle offense, the court will set any fine or prison term
- Criminal motor vehicle offenses include driving with a suspended license, operating under the influence(OUI), and leaving the scene of a crash
At-fault crashes
- One of the 19 standards of fault
- Paid > $1000 for collision, limited collision, or damage to somebody's property or > $1000 for bodily injury
Mandatory license suspensions
- Three speed violations: suspension for 30 days, $100 fee
- Three sur-chargeable events: retraining course within 90 days, $100 fee
- Seven sur-chargeable events: suspension for 60 days, $100 fee
- Habitual traffic offender: suspension for 4 years, $500 fee
- Out-of-state violations: suspension until the out-of-state suspension is resolved, $100 fee
- Criminal offenses and suspensions: 60-lifetime suspension, $100 fee, most cases >= $500 fee
Alcohol, drugs, and driving
- You cannot drive safely after drinking alcohol or taking other drugs
- Alcohol slows your reflexes, increases the time you need to react, and distorts your vision and judgment
- Blood alcohol content (BAC): all drivers fail a chemical test if BAC >= 0.08, drivers under 21 have the same standards for criminal purposes, but will face administrative sanctions if BAC>= 0.02
- Police officer has the right to ask you to
  - Perform a field sobriety test
  - Submit a chemical test to calculate your BAC, if you have been arrested
- If you fail a chemical test or you refuse to perform a chemical test, your license is suspended
- If you are under 21, processing, carrying, or transporting alcohol unless accompanied by a parent or guardian is illegal
- Any kind of drugs may let you considered OUI, read the labels of the drugs carefully and know the side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure
- OUI of marijuana is illegal, it is a criminal offense

Chapter 3

Passenger vehicles, must have working safety equipment. Each passenger vehicle must have all of the following
- A safety belt for the driver and all passengers
- A mirror
- A horn 喇叭
- A lock fo the engine's ignition
- Windshield wipers 挡风玻璃雨刷
- An exhaust muffler 消音排气阀
- A foot brake and a parking brake
- Lights for driving in the dark: two white lights in the front, two red lights in the back, and directional signals. Three red stop lights in the back and a small white light above the back license plate are also required
Rules
- Safety/seat belt
  - Drive without seat belt $25, passenger >= 16 without belt $25, passenger < 16 without belt: dirver $25
  - You can only get a fine for the safety belt law when you are stopped for a traffic violation
- Child passenger restraints: restraints until >= 8 years old, or >= 47 inches tall
- Hands-free mobile phone use
  - The use of hand-held mobile electronic devices while driving is prohibited in MA
  - Drivers >= 18 can only use mobile electronic devices in hands-free mode while driving; hand-held device use is only allowed if the vehicle is stationary and is not located in a public travel lane, it is prohibited at red lights or stop signs
  - Drivers < 18 cannot use any mobile electronic device for any reason while driving
  - Penalty: 1st offense $100 fine, 2nd offense $250 fine, 3rd and subsequent offense $500 fine + insurance sur-charge and mandatory completion of a distracted driving program
- Checking you vehicle's condition
  - Brakes and tires: tires should have proper inflation and wear, tires should have at least 2/32 inches of tread depth in the proper grooves and no fabric breaks or exposed cords
  - Steering: should not feel loose
  - Lights and glass
  - License plate: should be visible from feet at night
- Safe distance:
  - Three-second rule to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you: count "one one-second, two one-second, three one-second"
  - More space behind a motorcycle
  - More space behind a heavy equipment vehicle
  - Never cut in front of heavy equipment or tractor-trailers
  - Never tailgate a vehicle in front of you, tailgating is illegal and can be fined as high as $100
  - If a tailgater is behind you, move to another lane or pull to the side of the road
  - Extra space: rain, snow, ice, other poor conditions; blind driveways or obstructed-view roads; drivers backing out of parking spaces or driveways; child playing in yards or near the road
- Braking and stopping
  - It takes about three-quarters of a second to react to a situation and step on the brake pedal
  - If brakes and tires are working and the road is dry and level: at 60 mph, it takes about 292 feet before you stop, at 30 mph, it takes about 104 feet
- Use horn, headlights, and emergency signals
  - Use horn to
    - Warn pedestrians or other drivers of possible trouble
    - Avoid crashes
  - Must use headlights and taillights
    - From one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise
    - When you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead due to poor conditions
    - Whenever you use your windshield wipers
    - In rain, snow, or other poor conditions
    - Anytime you have trouble seeing other vehicles
    - To alert another driver to turn on his/her headlights
    - While driving through a tunnel
  - Use emergency lights and signals
  - Night driving
    - Do not drive when you are tired or drowsy
    - Drive more slowly at night
    - Keep more space between your vehicle and other vehicles
    - Putt your inside rear view mirror in the night position
    - Do not look straight at headlights
    - Keep your window and headlights clean
    - If another driver flashes headlights at you, your headlights may be off or your high beams may be on
  - High beam headlights
    - High beam let you see about 350 feet ahead, low beam headlights let you see about 100 feet ahead
    - Only use high beams in dark areas where you cannot see the road surface ahead
    - Lower high beam headlights to low beam when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet or a vehicle traveling ahead of you
    - Flick your headlights when a driver is coming toward you with high beams
  - Driving in rain or fog
    - Use headlights and taillights whenever you use your windshield wipers, daytime running lights are not sufficient
    - Be carful, use proper lights, more space, turn signals, etc.
    - 511 phone service is a 24/7 service to get up-to-date information about traffic and weather conditions and construction projects
  - Winter driving
    - Lower speed, more space, use proper lights, use turn signals, etc.
    - Never lock your brakes on icy roads, you will lose steering control, if you skid, remember to turn into the direction of the skid
    - Keep gas tank at least half full to prevent the gas line from freezing
    - Keep you windshield washed filled with cleaning fluid that won't freeze
    - Keep a blanket, flashlight, and small shovel in you trunk
  - Pedestrians: pay close attention
  - Bicycles, moped, and motorcycles: pay close attention
  - Limited use vehicle safety:
    - Can have two or more wheels
    - Speed requirement: can > 30 mph, should be <= 40 mph
    - Should have a license or learner's permit, can be Class D/M
    - Cannot be used on a limited-access or express state highway or any road with a speed limit faster than 40 mph
  - Low speed vehicle (LSV) safety:
    - Have four wheels and can only between 20 and 25 mph, and gross weight lower than 3000 lbs
    - Class D / learner's permit is required
    - Cannot be used on a limited-access or express state highway or any road with a speed limit faster than 30 mph
  - Bicycle safety laws:
    - If a bicyclist commit a traffic violation, the officer can issue a citation the same way he/she would for a motorist

Chapter 4

Speed limits
- You must never travel so fast that it is not safe. Speed depends on traffic conditions, road conditions, weather conditions and visibility, pedestrians or bicyclists
- Never drive faster than the posted speed limit
  - Limited-access highways: 50-65 mph speed limit
  - Smaller highways: speed limits of 55 mph or lower
  - MA Turnpike: >= 40 mph, Boston Harbor tunnels >= 20 mph
  - Other situations: <0 20 mph in a school zone, <= 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district, <= 40 mph outside a thickly settled or business district, <= 50 mph on a highway outside a thickly settled or business district, if you drive 40 mph in a heavy rainstorm on a highway with a speed limit of 50 mph, you can get a ticket for driving too fast
  - Regulatory speed limits: black legend, white background
  - Advisory speeds: yellow background, not enforceable
  - Reduced speed limit ahead: yellow background, speed limit is reduced by 10 mph or more
  - Safety zone speed limits: impending safety zone
  - School zone speed limits: impending school zone, speed limit is 20 mph
  - Thickly settled or business district zones: impending thickly settled or business district zone
  - Work Zone Speed Limits: impending work zone
Traffic signals
- Steady red circle: turn right after a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles in your path, you may not turn right if no turn on red sign is posted
- Steady red arrow: same as above, but only applies to vehicles going in the direction of the arrow
- Flashing red circle: the same as stop sign, if there is white stop line, stop before the line, if there is not white stop line, you may stop as close to the intersection as needed to see traffic in both directions
- Steady yellow circle: the signal is changing from green to red, you must stop if it is safe
- Flashing yellow circle: warning, proceed with caution
- Flashing yellow arrow: allows you to turn left or right in the direction when the coming traffic has a green light but there is a break in traffic
- Steady green circle: go, but first yield to other vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians in the road
- Green arrow: you can make a protected turn in the direction of the arrow
- Rectangular rapid flashing beacon/ pedestrian hybrid beacon: for pedestrians
- Bicycle signals: for bicyclists
- Traffic signal not working: they will simply flash either red or yellow lights, you should follow the ruls for flashing lights
- Pedestrian signals
  - Drivers must yield to pedestrians, never let your vehicle block a crosswalk, never pass a vehicle that is stopped or slowing for a pedestrian
  - Pedestrians should be alert, and walk when walk sign is posted
Traffic signs
- Stop and yield sign
  - A stop sign always mean come to a complete halt
  - A yield sign means slow down and be prepared to stop
- Regulatory signs: have a red or white background and inform drivers of traffic laws or regulations
- Warning signs: yellow and fluorescent yellow-green warning signs warn you of hazards or changes in conditions ahead
- Guide signs: route markers, distance and destination signs, and informational signs
- Railroad crossings: there is usually a round warning sign before a railroad crossing, you should slow down and be prepared to stop
Roadway construction.maintenance(work zones)
- When approaching a work zone, the first thing you must do is slow down and look for guidance on how to safely travel through the area
- The start of a work zone is indicated with a warning sign or electronic message sign
- Certain devices are used to direct traffic away form a work area where the shoulder or travel is closed
- If a police officer or civil flagger is present, follow and obey their directions
- In some cases, road work requires full closure of travel lanes in one direction, or an entire road closure
Pavement marking
- White lane lines: separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
  - Broken white line: you may cross this line when changing lanes
  - Solid white line: marks the right edge or the roadway or separates lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction, including bicycle lanes, you should not cross it unless you need to avoid danger
  - Double solid white line: you cannot cross a double solid white line
- Yellow lane lines: separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions
  - Broken yellow line: stay to the right of the line, unless you are passing vehicle in front of you
  - Double yellow lines: one solid, one broken, if the broken line is closer to you, you can only cross the line to pass another vehicle when it is safe to do so, when the solid line is closer to you, you cannot cross the line
  - Double yellow lines: both solid, you may not cross these lines unless turning left when it is safe to do so
- Words and symbols
  - A white diamond symbol means there is a special lane restriction, like high occupancy vehicle (HOV, vehicles with 2 or more passengers) only or bus only
  - Shared lane markings (sharrows) help bicyclists position themselves in the right location and in the right direction in a lane that is shared with motor vehicles
  - Bicycle lanes: bicycle lanes are portions of the roadway that are intended for use by bicyclists and are typically marked by solid white lines, along with pavement markings and signs
  - Advisory bicycle lines: too narrow for a full bicycle lane, but still have a lot of bicycle traffic
  - Green pavement: used in areas where there could be road sharing conflicts between motor vehicles and bicycles. At a red light, you should not stop on green pavement
- Stop lines, yield lines, and crosswalks
  - An intersection or pedestrian crossing with a stop sign or traffic signal may have a solid white stop line painted across it. An intersection with a yield sign may have a yield line painted across it
  - You must stop behind the stop lines, yield lines, and crosswalk lines if required by a stop/yield sign, traffic signal, or pedestrian in the crosswalk
  - Channelizing islands: you cannot drive over or park a motor vehicle upon any channelizing island, unless directed to do so by a police officer
  - Crossing guards: you should follow the instruction of crossing guards
Lanes, intersections, and turns
- If the electronic signals on your vehicle are not working, you m,ust use the three hand signals shown, signals should be made through the driver's side window
  - Left turn: stick your left arm with fingers extended, straight out of your vehicle past your side mirror
  - Right turn: rest your left arm on the window sill and point your hand up with your palm facing forward
  - Slow down or stop: extend your left arm out the window and point your hand down with your palm facing the drivers behind you
- Using lanes
  - On roads with two or more lanes in your travel direction, use the right lane for driving unless you are passing another vehicle, or you are making a left turn, or the right lane is blocked
  - You must drive in lanes posted as restricted, except when preparing for a turn
  - Highways driving
    - Highway speed limits are usually between 45 to 65 mph
    - Some highways cross other roads and are controlled by traffic signals. Others are controlled access, which means they have no signals or intersections. Theses highways are called expressways or freeways, and you enter or exit these highways at interchanges.
    - In MA, Routes 90 and State Highway 128 are examples of expressways
    - Be suer to signal your exit at least 500 feet before you reach the exit ramp. If you miss your exit, do not stop. Never back up on the highway
    - On an expressway with three or more lanes in your direction, use the fat right lane for slower driving, the middle lane for faster driving, and the far left lane for passing
    - Three steps when changing lanes: look, signal, and then move
    - Do not drive in another driver's blind spot
  - Intersections
    - It is illegal to block an intersection with your vehicle
    - Be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists
  - Turns
    - Signal your turn at least 100 feet before making the turn, on a highway, signal at least 500 feet before a turn
    - Check mirrors for traffic behind you and check the blind spot on you turning side
    - Give the right-of-way when appropriate
    - Turns on red: only turn if there is no 'NO TURN ON RED' sign, and after yielding to pedestrains and other vehicles, you can turn left on red only if you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street
    - U-turns: you cannot make a u-turn where you cannot see 500 feet away
    - Three-point turn: when there is not enough space for a u-turn, you may consider a three-point turn
  - Right-or-way rules
    - Right-of-way rules help drivers handle traffic situations not controlled by signs or signals, these rules are based on safety and courtesy. If another driver does not follow these rules, you should always give the right-of-way
    - Pedestrians: you must always yield to pedestrians who are in the roadway
    - Intersections not controlled by signs or signals: you must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from your right or is coming from your right, look for traffic coming from the left, although you may have the legal right-of-way
    - Four-way stop: you must yield the right-of-way to another vehicle that has already come to a full stop, or a vehicle directly to your right that has stopped at the same time as you
    - Turning left: you must yield the right-of-way to any oncoming vehicle, vehicle already in the intersection, pedestrians or bicyclists crossing you intended path of travel
    - Private roads, driveways, and unpaved roads: you must give the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles on the road you are entering
    - Throughways: you must yield the right-of-way to traffic on throughway before you turn
    - Rotaries: traffic travels counter-clockwise in a rotary, always yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the rotary, you must enter from the right lane of the road you are coming from, and you must exit onto the right lane of the road you intend to travel on
    - Roundbouts: similar to rotaries
  - Rules for passing
    - Tiy should pass a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motor vehicle only when it is necessary and safe to do so
    - On a multiple-lane roadway with several lanes in one direction, you must use the middle and left lanes for passing
    - If you are crossing a broken yellow line to pass, you must be able to see clearly at least 400 feet in front of you
    - Passing on the right is only allowed in certain circumstances: the vehicle you are passing is making, or is about to make, a left turn; you are driving on a one-way street, you are driving on a road where traffic moves in one direction
    - If you are being passed, you must slow down and stay to the right
Road respect/sharing the road
- School buses
  - School buses have flashing red lights and stop signs
  - If a school bust or a school pupil transport vehicle has its lights flashing and a stop sign extended, you must stop, it is the law
  - First violation of this law can cause a license suspension and a $250 fine
  - The only exception is if a school bust has stopped on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier between travel directions, in this case, you do not have to stop
- Trucks and other large vehicles
  - Do no follow closely behind a large vehicle, you are hidden in its blind spots
  - If you cannot see a truck's rearview mirrors, you are tailgating, you are following too closely
  - Large vehicles need more distance to stop than an automobile or a motorcycle, do not drive into the space immediately surrounding a large vehicle
  - Driving too slowly: on a multiple-lane highway, trucks and busses can only drive in the two right-hand lanes
  - Passing: it takes longer to pass, you can only pass on the left
- Buses abd trolleys: buses stop often, be careful
- Road workers and repair crews: if you are cited for speeding in a work area, the fine will be doubled
- Animals and horse-drawn vehicles: always give the right-of-way to an animal that someone is leading, riding, or driving
Parking
- You must always make sure that you leave at least a 12-foot wide, clear roadway for traffic to pass
- Parallel parking: look directly out your rear window, do not use your mirrors
- Parking on hills: always set your parking brake and leave your vehicle in gear when parking on a hill if you have a manual transmission, if you have an automatic transmission, set your parking brake and shift into park
- Parking regulations
  - You may not parking in certain places: in a zone posted with a NO PARKING, NO STANDING, or NO STOPPING sign, in a bicycle lane, in a bus stop, in a taxi stand, in a posted loading zone, within 20 feet of an intersection, in a crosswalk, in front or a driveway, or in front of a handicap-access ramp, facing the wrong way against traffic, in a traffic lane next to a row of parked vehicles (double parked)
  - Many public parking spaces are operated by coin-fed meters
  - Many cities and towns give special parking permits to residents, certain streets have resident permit parking only signs

Chapter 5

Moving emergency vehicle
- Always yield the right-of-way to fire engines, ambulances, police cars, and other emergency vehicles that are using a siren an/or emergency flashing lights
- If an emergency vehicle is coming from any direction, you must pull as close as possible to the right side of the road, stop until the vehicle has passed, use your right turn signal when doing so
- Never stop in the middle of an intersection
- It is illegal to follow closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle responding to an alarm
Stationary emergency and maintenance vehicles
- You must slow down and stay alert when you see an emergency response vehicle stopped ahead of you with its emergency lights flashing
- The move-over law requires you to be cautious and reduce your speed to a speed that is reasonable and safe for the road conditions when you approach a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights
- Always be ready to stop if necessary when passing an emergency vehicle
- At night, be sure to dim your high beams
- If you need help, pull in front of the police cruiser and ask for help
- It is illegal to drive by or park within 800 feet of a fire
General guidelines if you are stopped by a police officer
- State law require you to pull over to the side of the road and stop when signaled by a police officer
- Do not stop your vehicle in an intersection, in front of a driveway, or in a travel lane
- Put the car in park or in neutral with the parking brake on, turn off the engine and radio
- Stay in the vehicle, only get out if instructed by the officer
- If it is dark, leave your headlights on and put the interior overhead light on
- Roll down your window as the officer walks toward you
- The officer will usually explain why you were stopped, if not in uniform, the officer will show you their credentials or you may ask to see them
- Wait until the officer asks for you license and registration before you reach into the glove compartment
- Keep your hands in plain sight and tell your passengers to do the same
- If you believe that you were stopped by a police officer because of your race or your gender, or if you believe the officer's conduct during the stop was otherwise inappropriate, you may report this by contacting the police department or law enforcement agency of the officer who stopped you
Driving emergencies
- Skidding
  - Slowly remove your foot from the gas pedal and shift into neutral
  - Don't hit the brakes
  - Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid
  - You may need to steer left and right a few times until you get your car completely under control
- Running off the pavement
  - Hold the steering wheel tightly and slowly remove your foot from teh gas pedal
  - Gently apply the brake to reduce your speed
  - Check for traffic behind you, then steer gently back onto the road
- Flat tire, blowout, or wheel loss
  - Grip the steering wheel tightly and slowly remove your foot from the gas pedal
  - Gently apply the brakes
  - If you begin to skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid
  - Gently straighten the car, don't use the brake until you have the vehicle under control
  - Pull you car off the road as soon as it is safe
Traffic crashes
- If you are involved in a crash
  - Never leave the scene of a crash
  - You must try to locate the owner of a parked vehicle or other property to report the crash or notify the local police
  - With 5 days of the crash, you must file a crash report with both the RMV and the local police department. You must report any crash with $1000 or more of property damage, or injury or death
  - If you've injured a cat, dog, or any other animal, notify the local police and , if possible, the animal's owner
- Hit and run crashes
  - If you leave the scene after a crash without properly identifying yourself, you could be criminally charged with a leaving the scene violation and face the following maximum penalties:
    - Up to $200 or up to 2 years imprisonment, or both, for leaving the scene after a crash causing damage another vehicle or other property
    - Up to $1000 and imprisonment of up to 2 years for leaving the scene after a crash causing personal injury to any person not resulting in death
    - Up to $5000 and imprisonment of up to 2.5 years in jail or up to 10 years in state prison for leaving the scene after a crash causing personal injury to any person that resulted in death
  - If you hit and injure or kill a cat or dog and do not notify the animal's owner or the local police, you can be fined
- If you witness a crash: use good judgement, reduce your speed and drive carefully, do not stop or slow down to sightsee

Chapter 6

Vehicle registration
- When you register a passenger vehicle or motorcycle, you will be issued license plates that you must mount on your vehicle
- Newly registered passenger vehicles are issued two plates for front and back mounting, motorcycles require single plates. When you are issued two plates, you must display both plates. For each renewal period that your registration is valid, you will receive a plate decal that must be placed in the upper right corner of teh rear plate. Failure to place the decal as instructed can result in a fine
- Id requirements for registration
  - You need to show ids for new registration, registration transfers, plate swaps, renewals, amendments, reinstatements
  - ID: unexpired MA driver's license or MA ID Card, or your unexpired out-of-state or out-of-country driver's license, or your SSN Card, or proof of lawful presence
New registration
- Go to an authorized MA insurance agent and have the agent fill out, stamp, and sign a Registration and Title application
- After verifying the information, sign the application
- Make a reservation to visit an RMV Full Service Center and bring the application, along with the Certificate of Origin for a new vehicle, the previous owner's certificate of title for a used vehicle, or a bill of sale and copy of last registration for a non-titled vehicle. You may also need to provide proof of lawful presence
- Payment of sales or use tax: 6.25 per cent tax, in addition to sales tax, your local city or town levis an annual excise tax
- Pay the registration fee and title fee, the title fee is $75
- State law requires you to have your vehicle undergo a MA motor vehicle inspection within 7 days of registration
Registration renewal
- You should renew your vehicle registration when necessary, about 6 to 8 weeks before your registration expires, you should receive an Application for Renewal in the mail. The application will indicate if you need to provide proof of lawful presence requirement. If you do need to provide proof, you can only renew in an RMV Service Center after making a reservation
- There may be reasons that you do not receive the mail
- You can check the current status of your registration and find out if you are eligible to renew on Mass.Gov/RMV and select Registration Inquiry
- You can renew by mail, or by phone or internet
Duplicate registration
- If you lose your registration certificate, you may apply for a duplicate
- You can do so by internet, phone, or in person
Canceling a registration
- You can cancel your vehicle registration and plates online or in one of teh RMV's Registration Drop Off Service Centers, even if you do not have the plates to turn in
- You may be able to cancel your registration through your insurance agent
Transferring a registration to a newly acquired vehicle
- The seven-day registration transfer law allows you enough time to transfer the registration from you current vehicle to a vehicle you just bought
- You cannot use the seven-day period to transfer you registration if you have retained the currently registered vehicle
Temporary plates
- Temporary plates will be issued for certain plate types no longer stocked in RMV Service Centers. These plate types include charitable special design plates, low volume plates, and vanity plates
- Temporary plates are valid for 20 days and include detailed vehicle information
Special design plates
- The RMV offers special design plates
- In addition to the initial registration fee, , special plates require a special plate fee each renewal
- A portion of the initial special plate fee, and the full renewal special plate fee, are tax deductible
Drive smart and save
- Drive less: try taking public transportation, walking or biking, or carpooling
- Fuel consumption increases about five percent for every five mph driven about 60 mph
- Go easy on the pedals: rapid starts and hard stops can increase fuel use by 40 percent, but reduce travel time by only 4 percent
- Turn it off: when you stop, switch off the engine, idling gets you 0 mpg
- Click the cap: make sure the fuel tank cap is tight and you can save about $120 per year
- Check the pressure: proper tire pressure is safer, extends tire life, and can provide up to 3% benefit per tankful of fuel
Vehicle inspections
- Then Enhanced Emission and Safety Test (EES) ensures that vehicles comply with federal requirements to help to clean the air. Under this program, registered motor vehicles are required to be inspected every year for safety, new vehicles are exempted from emissions testing for one year, but must undergo the safety inspection. After the one year period for new vehicles has passed, an emissions inspection is required every year
- Light-duty vehicles with a model year of 15 years or older will be exempt from on-board diagnostics emissions testing
- These inspections are conducted at license stations across the state, the fee is $35
- When you buy a motor vehicle or motorcycle, state law requires you to have it inspected within 7 days of registration, regardless of the vehicle's model year
- If you motor vehicle passes the annual inspection, a sticker will be affixed to the lower right inside windshield of your vehicle. The sticker is valid for one year from your initial inspection date and will expire on the final day of the month indicated on the sticker
Titles
- A certificate of title is a legal document showing proof of ownership
- When you buy a vehicle, the seller must give you his or her original title after printing and signing his or her name on it and entering the sale price and the required odometer information at the time of transfer. Buyers are also required to sign and print their names
- You must present the title to RMV with your application for a new title
- Original title fee $75
- Obtaining an original title: if you are registering your vehicle when you apply for a title, an authorized MA insurance agent must stamp and sign the application to certify your insurance coverage
- Obtaining a duplicate title: eligible customers with no lien on the vehicle, can apply for a duplicate title online at Mass.Gov/RMV
- Obtaining a salvage-related title: a vehicle is deemed salvage when an insurance company has declared it to be a total loss due to fire, vandalism, collision, theft, flood, or any other cause
- Once a vehicle has been given salvage classification, the classification is permanent and remains part of the vehicle's history
- A vehicle with a salvage title cannot be registered
- All fees are subject to change at any time
When you sell a vehicle
- You must sign the certificate of title over to the new owner and either cancel the registration and recycle or destroy the plates, or transfer the plates to another vehicle you own according to the seven-day registration transfer law
Insurance and merit rating
- Compulsory insurance coverage:
  - Bodily injury to others: minimum $20000 per person, $40000 per crash
  - Personal injury protection: pays up to $8000 to you, passengers, pedestrians, or anyone you allow to drive your vehicle
  - Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: minimum $20000 per person, $40000 per crash
  - Damage to someone else's property: minimum $5000 for property damage
- Your driving record will always be an important factor in determining how much you will pay for auto insurance
- Insurers may use the point-based system or their own merit rating plan to determine discounts for safe drivers an surcharges for drivers with at-fault crashes and traffic violations

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Driver License Preparation in MA

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6