Massachusetts permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, scooters, school buses, trucks, emergency vehicles and other road users. 13 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Sample sharing the road questions
1. You stop at a red light. A green box with a bicycle symbol is painted in your lane before the crosswalk, and it is empty. Where should you stop?
- A. Inside the green box, since no bicyclist is in it
- B. Anywhere, as long as bicyclists can get around you
- C. Behind the green box
- D. At the crosswalk line, past the green box
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C. Behind the green box
A bicycle box gives bicyclists a safe place to wait at a red light. Drivers must stop behind the bicycle box, even when it is empty, and wait for the green light.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 124
2. A pedestrian using a white cane starts crossing the street in front of your car. What should you do?
- A. Drive slowly around the person once they pass your lane
- B. Stop completely and stay stopped until the person has crossed
- C. Honk gently to let the person know you are there
- D. Wave the person across to speed things up
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B. Stop completely and stay stopped until the person has crossed
The White Cane Law requires you to come to a complete stop for a blind pedestrian crossing the street. Stay stopped until the person has safely crossed, and do not honk or wave them on.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 58
3. When are you NOT required to stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop sign out?
- A. When it is on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier
- B. When it is on the other side of a four-lane undivided road
- C. When you are driving in the opposite direction on any road
- D. When no children are getting on or off the bus
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A. When it is on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier
The only exception to the school bus stopping law is when the bus is stopped on the other side of a divided highway with a barrier between the directions. In every other case, you must stop.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 113
4. What happens to the fine if you are cited for speeding in a posted work area?
- A. It is doubled
- B. It is tripled
- C. It stays the same as any speeding fine
- D. It is replaced by a warning on the first offense
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A. It is doubled
If you are cited for speeding in a work area, the fine is doubled. Slow down, follow road work signs, and be prepared to stop for workers.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 116