Road Test Applicants Will Need Own Vehicles

06:40PM / Thursday, December 09, 2021Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is informing learner's permit holders applying for a Massachusetts issued driver's license that all applicants will be required to supply their own vehicle for road testing beginning on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

Due to the pandemic and health and safety protocols, since June of 2020, the RMV has deployed a fleet of Commonwealth-owned vehicles for road tests which were cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. The use of these Commonwealth-owned vehicles will end on Dec. 31, 2021.

Applicants for a Class M, or Motorcycle license, will continue to supply their own motorcycle for testing. Applicants scheduled for testing through a driving school should confirm they have access to the school's vehicle for their road 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."

All occupants of a vehicle used in a road test, including the applicant, sponsor and examiner will continue to be required to wear a face covering. Applicants will be asked to keep open windows for ventilation and be asked to clean or wipe down the surfaces surrounding the passenger seat and center console of the vehicle prior to the test beginning.

Returning to private passenger cars and hiring additional road test examiners will allow the RMV early next year to return road testing services to the following locations:

Cape Cod and the Islands (South Yarmouth, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard)
Central and Western Massachusetts (Southbridge, Easthampton, Chicopee)
Southeastern Massachusetts (Fall River, New Bedford)
Northeastern Massachusetts (Lawrence, Lynn)

MassRMV recently launched a new webpage to help applicants locate all information related to their road test, Mass.Gov/RoadTest. The page includes information on what to expect, videos to help prepare for the road test, links to checklists and applications to increase an applicant's chance of passing their exam.

Private passenger vehicles used for a Class D must meet requirements, (including vehicles with an ignition interlock device, and vehicles with adaptive equipment for a competency test):

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.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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