Mass RMV changing Road Test requirements

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE)- The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has announced that learner’s permit holders applying for a Massachusetts driver’s license will need to bring their own vehicle for road testing beginning January 3.

Since June of 2020, the RMV has provided cleaned and sanitized vehicles for road tests due to the pandemic and health and safety protocols.

All occupants of vehicles used for a road test will need to continue to wear face coverings, and applicants will be asked to keep windows open for ventilation, and will be required to clean and wipe down surrounding surfaces prior to the test.

“The RMV is appreciative of the support received from our MassDOT Highway Division partners and other Commonwealth agencies that loaned the RMV vehicles from their own fleets at the height of the pandemic. These vehicles allowed us to continue road testing and licensing in a safe and healthy manner during the State of Emergency and emerging from the pandemic,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen J. Ogilvie. “The return to having road test applicants use their private passenger vehicles offers the RMV the ability to return testing services to all corners of Massachusetts.”

Returning to private passenger cars and hiring additional road test examiners will allow the RMV to provide road testing in more locations such as Cape Cod and the Islands; South Yarmouth, Nantucket, and Marthas Vineyard. Central and Western Massachusetts; Southbridge, Easthampton, Chicopee. Southeastern Massachusetts; Fall River and New Bedford. Northeaster Massachusetts; Lawrence and Lynn.

According to Mass RMV private passenger vehicles must meet the following requirements:

• Be in good working condition and be able to pass a safety check.
• Have a valid registration and current inspection sticker.
• Contain adequate seating accommodations next to the operator for the use of the examiner and have a rear seat for the sponsor.
• Applicants will be asked to clean/wipe-down surfaces on the passenger side and center of the vehicle prior to the test.
• Be designed to let the examiner make an emergency stop using the parking brake. If not, the vehicle cannot be used for the road test.
  • Any vehicle with a center console that does not have a parking brake as part of the console cannot be used.
  • Any vehicle that does not allow the examiner unobstructed access to the parking brake cannot be used.