Most new drivers in Massachusetts are required to successfully complete a State-approved driver's education program in order to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. In fact, for many applicants, the driver's education certificate of completion is part of the actual driver's license application.

WHO MUST TAKE DRIVER'S EDUCATION

• Massachusetts residents under the age of 17 must hold a learner's permit for a minimum of six months, and also complete a State-approved driver's education program before applying for a new license.
• Massachusetts residents 17 and older who have never held a license from Massachusetts or any other US state or foreign country must complete a State-approved driver's education program before applying for a new license.

WHERE TO TAKE DRIVER'S EDUCATION

Driver's education courses are offered through both public and private school programs, all of which must be approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Driving schools, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, cover the same course content.

WHAT'S COVERED IN A DRIVER'S EDUCATION COURSE

While driver's education courses vary from one school to another, all licensed programs must include the following components:

• Thirty hours of classroom periods, focusing on issues including alcohol safety and drug abuse awareness, defensive driving, managing road rage, pitfalls of distracted driving, motorcycle awareness and organ and tissue donation.
• In-car instruction sessions, divided into twelve hours of actual driving, six hours of observation time and a 2 hour class attended with a parent or legal guardian on the content of driver education.

After the successful completion of the driver's education course, your driving school will a send a copy of the completion certificate to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, after which you may be issued a permanent driver's license. Drivers under the age of 18 must have their certificate signed and authorized by a parent or legal guardian, who must certify that the student has had at least 40 hours of driving practice.

OPTIONAL PROGRAMS

In addition to the core requirements of a driver's education course, many driving schools in Massachusetts offer optional programs that focus on particular aspects of driver education. Specialized courses include Auto Insurance Discount Courses or Defensive Driving courses, either of which may qualify students for a discount on auto insurance. These and other courses may also enable students to reduce points on their license, and/or get their license back sooner after a suspension. See our section on Massachusetts driving schools for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• See also Learner's Permits and Driver's Handbook.
• See also Commercial Driver's Education.