Massachusetts (MA) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

In the state of Massachusetts, 16-year-old drivers are behind the wheel when the majority of crashes occur. Teens also receive the highest number of traffic violations in the state. The violation rate for 16 year old drivers is 4 times the rate for all drivers and Massachusetts’ drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 crash 4 times as much as all drivers. Massachusetts’ teens are involved in more fatal nighttime crashes than any other group. Massachusetts is dealing with the problems associated with teen driving through its Graduated Driver Licensing Program or “Junior Operator License” (JOL) program. Once implemented and strictly enforced, JOL resulted in a 14% decrease in the rate of 16-year-old drivers involved in injury crashes. It also resulted in a 48% decrease in the rate of 16-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Continue reading to learn more about Massachusetts’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them.

Massachusetts Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Massachusetts’ Graduated Driver Licensing program applies only to new, teen drivers. It is a three-state licensing system consisting of: learner’s permit, Junior Operator’s License, and full licensure. Under the terms of the learner’s permit, driver’s must:

•    Be at least 16 years old
•    Hold the permit for 6 months
•    Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction
•    Complete 6-8 hours behind-the-wheel training
•    Complete 4-6 hours as an observer to another student driver
•    Complete 12 hours of supervised driving

During the learner’s permit phase, teen drivers may not drive without a supervised driver (21 years of age or older) under any circumstances. Under the terms of JOL, teens must be a minimum of 16.5 years of age and:

•    Are restricted from driving between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
•    For the first 6 months, no passengers under the age of 18 unless supervised by a driver 21 years of age or older
•    Must hold the license until age 18

To apply for a learner’s permit or provisional license, you must pass a vision and road test. You must also provide the following documents to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles:

•    Social security card
•    Birth certificate or U.S. passport
•    Parent or guardian signature on the application
Full licensure is not automatic in the state of Massachusetts. You must satisfy all requirements of the learner’s permit stage and JOL. In addition you must:

•    Fill out an application
•    Take a vision test
•    Take a road test
•    Have a clean driving record

Massachusetts JOL License and Permit Violations and Penalties

If you hold a learners permit and you get caught driving unaccompanied, you will lose our permit for 60 days. You will have to reapply for the permit and pay a $100 reinstatement fee. For a second offense:

•    Your license will be suspended for 180 days
•    You will have to complete a driver attitudinal retraining course
•    You will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee
•    You will have to reapply for your permit

A third offense will cost you a $100 reinstatement fee, a 12-month permit suspension, and you will have to reapply for your permit.

If you violate Massachusetts’ passenger restriction laws or time restriction laws, for a first offense:

•    Your license will be suspended for 60 days
•    You will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee

For second offenses:

•    Your license will be suspended for 180 days
•    You will have to complete a driver attitudinal retraining course
•    You will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee

For third offenses:

•    Your license will be suspended for 12 months
•    You will have to complete a driver attitudinal retraining course
•    You will have to complete a driver’s exam
•    You will have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee

Massachusetts Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Massachusetts, talking on the cell phone while driving is still legal as long as you keep one hand on the steering wheel. It is against the law to wear any type of headphones while driving, with the exception of a hands-free accessory for your cell phone. Massachusetts has reviewed several potential bans, but has yet to approve one.

Massachusetts Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Massachusetts, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. Massachusetts calls this “Zero Tolerance.” A BAC of 0.02% is equal to as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a Massachusetts teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license will be suspended. You may also have to enroll in an alcohol treatment and education program, and pay a fine.

The laws for refusing to take a breath test are clear. Under Melanie’s Law, if you are under the age of 21 and you refuse to take a breath test, your license will be automatically suspended for 3 years. In addition, if you get caught drinking and driving and your BAC is 0.20% or higher, in addition to license suspension and possible jail time, you will also have to spend 2 weeks in an alcohol education program. The program must be inpatient.

Massachusetts Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of Massachusetts, all drivers – teens or adults, must carry minimum liability coverage of at least 20/40/5. This minimum coverage includes $20,000 bodily injury coverage per person injured in any one accident, $40,000 for all persons injured in any one accident, and property damage coverage of $5,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident. Massachusetts’ law also requires personal injury protection (PIP) which covers up to $8,000 in medical and work loss expenses, without regard to fault.

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel without supervision, Massachusetts auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year, with an average of $2,171 a year.

Although auto insurance premiums will increase if you add a teen to your policy or purchasing teen auto insurance will always be pricier than other policies, there are ways to qualify for discounts on teen auto insurance. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).