I'm a new resident in Massachusetts: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Massachusetts. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Massachusetts

Each rule comes from the Massachusetts driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  No grace period: new residents must get a Massachusetts license when they become residents.

  What the manual says

  • Get a Massachusetts license

    If you become a resident of Massachusetts, you must obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license to retain your driving privileges. There is no grace period.

  • Get a Massachusetts license

    If you become a resident of Massachusetts, you must obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license to retain your driving privileges. There is no grace period.

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Active or expired under 1 year: no written or road test. Over 1 year: written, road, eye tests.

  What the manual says

  • A license from another state

    If you have a driver’s license from another state, you need to convert it to a Massachusetts license when you become a resident. You must make an appointment at an RMV Service Center for this. If your license is active or has been expired for less than 1 year, you do not need a written or road test. If it has been expired for more than 1 year, you need a full test (written and road) and an eye test. The RMV takes part in the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, which checks electronically whether you hold a license or ID card in another state and tells the state you are leaving to invalidate it.

  • A license from another state

    If you have a driver’s license from another state, you need to convert it to a Massachusetts license when you become a resident. You must make an appointment at an RMV Service Center for this. If your license is active or has been expired for less than 1 year, you do not need a written or road test. If it has been expired for more than 1 year, you need a full test (written and road) and an eye test. The RMV takes part in the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, which checks electronically whether you hold a license or ID card in another state and tells the state you are leaving to invalidate it.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Liability insurance

  Minimum bodily injury limits are $25,000/$50,000; an out-of-state-registered road-test vehicle needs proof of Massachusetts minimum coverage.

  What the manual says

  • If the test vehicle is registered out of state, you must show the examiner proof of insurance coverage equal to Massachusetts minimum limits.
  • The Massachusetts minimum limits for bodily injury are $25,000/$50,000.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 24

• Change of address

  Notify the RMV of a change of address within 30 days of moving.

  What the manual says

  • Changing your address

    By law, you must notify the RMV of a change of address within 30 days of moving. If you are only changing your address, you can update your information in the RMV’s Online Service Center.

  Source: [3]

• How long the license lasts

  A Massachusetts driver's license is valid for a maximum of five years and typically expires on your birthday.

  What the manual says

  • A Massachusetts driver's license is valid for a maximum of five years.
  • A Massachusetts license typically expires on your birthday.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 7

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Under-18 permit: no driving 12:00-5:00 a.m. without licensed parent/guardian with 1+ year experience. JOL: no driving 12:30-5:00 a.m. without parent/guardian.

  What the manual says

  • Learner’s permit: night driving

    If you are under 18 and have a learner’s permit, you may not drive between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is a validly licensed operator with at least one year of driving experience. This is a different rule from the JOL night hours below, which start at 12:30 a.m.

  • JOL: night driving

    With a JOL, you may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless you are accompanied by one of your parents or your legal guardian. Between 12:30 and 1:00 a.m. and between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., police enforce the rule only if a Junior Operator has been lawfully stopped for a violation or another offense, but it is still illegal to drive during those times without a parent present.

  Source: [1] [4]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  First 6 months of JOL: no non-family passengers under 18, unless licensed driver 21+ (1+ year experience) sits beside you.

  What the manual says

  • A Junior Operator may not operate within the first six months after receiving the JOL with a passenger under 18 unless an eligible adult accompanies them.

  • JOL: passengers

    For the first six months after you receive your JOL, you may not drive while any person under 18, other than you or an immediate family member, is in the vehicle. The exception: a person sits in the seat beside you who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience and holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state. The passenger restriction ends when you complete the six-month period (or the part that applies to you) or when you reach 18, whichever happens first.

  • JOL: passengers

    For the first six months after you receive your JOL, you may not drive while any person under 18, other than you or an immediate family member, is in the vehicle. The exception: a person sits in the seat beside you who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience and holds a valid driver’s license from Massachusetts or another state. The passenger restriction ends when you complete the six-month period (or the part that applies to you) or when you reach 18, whichever happens first.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 10

  Source: [1]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero-tolerance law: a driver under 21 with a BAC of 0.02 or higher loses their license.

  What the manual says

  • Any driver under 21 will face penalties for having a BAC of 0.02 or higher.
  • Under the zero-tolerance law, if you are under 21 and are caught with a BAC as low as 0.02 while driving, you will lose your license.
  • Drivers under 21 face administrative sanctions for a chemical test with a BAC as low as 0.02.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 73, 69

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusal: license taken, suspended at once; 180 days over 21 with no prior OUI, longer at 18-21.

  What the manual says

  • The police officer must take away your license and give you a notice of suspension, which is effective immediately.
  • A driver over age 21 with no prior OUI offenses who refuses a chemical test is suspended for 180 days.
  • A driver age 18 to 21 with no prior OUI offenses who refuses a chemical test is suspended for three years plus 180 days.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 73, 70

• Seat belts

  Everyone in passenger vehicles, including vans and small trucks under 18,000 lbs; fines only when stopped for a traffic violation.

  What the manual says

  • Each passenger vehicle must have a working, undamaged safety belt for the driver and all passengers.
  • The law covers every person in a passenger motor vehicle, including vans and small trucks under 18,000 lbs.
  • The manual says you can only get a fine for the safety belt law when you are stopped for a traffic violation.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 34, 35

• Child safety seats

  Federally approved child restraint until at least age eight or 57 inches tall, then safety belts.

  What the manual says

  • Children at least eight years old or at least fifty-seven inches tall must wear safety belts instead of a child restraint.
  • The manual says never to put a back-facing child safety seat in the front passenger seat if the vehicle has an air bag for that seat.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36

• Phone use while driving

  Age 18+: hands-free only; hand-held only when stationary outside a travel lane. Under 18: no devices except emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says hands-free means the device cannot be held and cannot be touched except to activate hands-free mode.
  • Handheld use is only allowed if the vehicle is stationary and not in a public travel lane, and it is not allowed at red lights or stop signs.
  • Drivers under 18 cannot use any mobile electronic device for any reason while driving; the only exception is reporting an emergency.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 39, 40

• School buses

  Stop either side for a school bus with flashing lights and stop sign; exception: other side of a barrier-divided highway.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you must stop, and that it does not matter which side of the road you are traveling on.
  • The manual says to remain stopped until the lights stop flashing or the stop sign folds back.
  • The manual says the only exception is a school bus stopped on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier between travel directions.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 105

• Move Over law

  Stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights: slow down; on highways of 4+ lanes, safely move to a non-adjacent lane.

  What the manual says

  • The move-over law requires you to proceed with caution and reduce your speed to a reasonable and safe speed for the road conditions.
  • The manual says to yield the right-of-way by safely moving over to a lane that is not next to the lane the emergency, highway, or recovery vehicle is occupying.
  • If moving over is not possible, you must still be cautious and reduce your speed to a reasonable and safe speed.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 104, 120

• Headlights

  Half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise, under 500 feet visibility, and with wipers.

  What the manual says

  • You must use headlights and taillights from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise.
  • You must use headlights and taillights when you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead because of poor light or weather.
  • The law requires headlights and taillights whenever you use your windshield wipers, and daytime running lights are not sufficient.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 45, 47

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles, unless NO TURN ON RED is posted.

  What the manual says

  • You must come to a complete stop at a red light and may then turn right unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, after giving the right-of-way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
  • You may not turn on red if a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 98, 81

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: over 30 mph in built-up or business areas, 40 elsewhere, is unreasonable; 20 near schools.

  What the manual says

  • Unless posted otherwise, driving over 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper.
  • Unless posted otherwise, driving over 40 mph outside a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper.
  • The speed limit on roads near schools is 20 mph.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79, 80

• Left lane and keeping right

  With two or more lanes your way, use the right lane unless passing, turning left or blocked.

  What the manual says

  • You should use the right lane unless you are passing, making a left turn, or the right lane is blocked.
  • On an expressway with three or more lanes in your direction, use the far right lane for slower driving.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 94, 95

• Points and suspension

  Three surchargeable events in two years: retraining course within 90 days; seven in three years: 60-day suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The RMV sends a letter telling you to complete a Driver Retraining course after three surchargeable events within two years.
  • You must complete the retraining course within 90 days or your license will be suspended until you complete it.
  • Seven surchargeable events within a three-year period bring an automatic 60-day suspension.

  Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 59

Official steps for moving to Massachusetts

• Get a Massachusetts license

  If you become a resident of Massachusetts, you must obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license to retain your driving privileges. There is no grace period.

  Source: [1]

• A license from another state

  If you have a driver’s license from another state, you need to convert it to a Massachusetts license when you become a resident. You must make an appointment at an RMV Service Center for this. If your license is active or has been expired for less than 1 year, you do not need a written or road test. If it has been expired for more than 1 year, you need a full test (written and road) and an eye test. The RMV takes part in the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, which checks electronically whether you hold a license or ID card in another state and tells the state you are leaving to invalidate it.

  Source: [1] [2]

• If you do not have the license card

  If you do not have your out-of-state license to turn in to the RMV, you need an acceptable photo ID from the RMV’s list of acceptable documents and a certified copy of your driving record, not more than 30 days old.

  Source: [2]

• Drivers under 18

  If you are under 18, you must convert your driver’s education certificate or complete driver’s education in Massachusetts. Converting a license as a Junior Operator requires a certified copy of your driving record from the state you are leaving, a Massachusetts driver’s education certificate on file with the RMV, and an additional 40 hours of supervised driving (30 hours if you completed a driver skills development program), shown by a certified statement from a parent or guardian. A driver education certificate from another state is converted with an Application to Convert Out-of-State Driver Education Certificate.

  Source: [1] [4] [2]

• A learner’s permit from another state

  An out-of-state learner’s permit must have been issued less than two years ago to be eligible for conversion, and you must provide a certified driving record from the state you are converting from, not more than 30 days old. If your permit is converted, you will not be required to take the learner’s permit exam, but you will need to pay the applicable fee. The converted permit is dated to the issue date of your original permit, so that time counts toward the six-month permit requirement for applicants under 18.

  Source: [1] [5]

• A license from another country

  Whether a foreign license can be converted depends on the country: the RMV has arrangements with certain countries, so check its page on converting a foreign license, linked below. If your license is from a country that does not have an established arrangement with the RMV, you cannot convert it. Once you are a Massachusetts resident, you can apply for a driver’s license: you must meet all identification requirements and take the learner’s permit exam and the road test. An international driving permit cannot be converted to a Massachusetts driving permit. If you have a license from Canada, Mexico or a U.S. territory (including Puerto Rico), you must present a driving record not more than 30 days old, and a test may be required if your license has been expired for more than 1 year.

  Source: [2] [6] [7]

• Visiting with a foreign license

  For driving as a visitor, your foreign license must be valid and not suspended or revoked. If it is not in English and has no English translation, you need an English translation with it; the RMV’s page on driving on a foreign license, linked below, lists the forms it accepts.

  Source: [1] [8]

Sources

1. Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (revised April 2026) (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
2. Transfer your REAL or standard out-of-state driver’s or motorcycle license to Massachusetts (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
3. Change information on your driver’s license or ID card (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
4. Junior Operator License (JOL) requirements (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
5. Transfer your REAL or standard out-of-state learner’s permit to Massachusetts (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
6. Transfer your driver’s license from a foreign country (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
7. Information for converting certain foreign driver’s licenses (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
8. Driving in Massachusetts on a Foreign Driver’s License (mass.gov) — Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)