Free Massachusetts Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Massachusetts driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
Get Smart Review & Mock Exams
Smart Review drills only the questions you get wrong. Full-length mock exams in the real format. Progress saved on every device — and the same account unlocks the mobile app.
Get Smart Review & Mock Exams
What this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 6
- Signaling & Communication — 3
- Emergencies & Crashes — 2
- Safe Driving — 2
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 2
- Vehicle Equipment — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (6 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A black-on-white sign of this shape is a:
- Regulatory signs that tell you the law
- Warnings
- Service signs
- Guide signs
Show answer
Answer: Regulatory signs that tell you the law
Black-on-white rectangular signs are regulatory — they tell you a traffic law you must obey (e.g., speed limit).
2. A yellow sign showing a symbol of a bump or dip warns you to:
- Speed up
- Slow down for a rough spot in the road
- Stop
- Turn around
Show answer
Answer: Slow down for a rough spot in the road
Bump/dip signs warn of a rough change in the road surface; slow down.
3. You should use your horn to:
- Greet friends
- Hurry pedestrians
- Warn others of danger to help avoid a crash
- Express anger
Show answer
Answer: Warn others of danger to help avoid a crash
The horn is a warning device — use it to alert others, not to vent frustration.
4. To exit an interstate, you should:
- Slow down in the through lane first
- Move into the deceleration (exit) lane, then slow down after leaving the through lanes
- Stop before the ramp
- Signal only after exiting
Show answer
Answer: Move into the deceleration (exit) lane, then slow down after leaving the through lanes
Move into the exit/deceleration lane and reduce speed after you leave the main lanes — not while still in them.
5. In cold or humid weather, the defroster helps by:
- Keeping the windshield and windows clear
- Saving fuel
- Charging the battery
- Cooling the engine
Show answer
Answer: Keeping the windshield and windows clear
Use the defroster to keep glass clear for good visibility.
6. If your right wheels drift onto the shoulder, you should:
- Ease off the gas and steer back gently when it's safe
- Speed up
- Jerk the wheel back onto the road
- Brake hard
Show answer
Answer: Ease off the gas and steer back gently when it's safe
Don't jerk the wheel — slow down and steer back onto the pavement smoothly.
7. In fog, using high beams:
- Helps you see better
- Warns others
- Is required
- Reflects back and reduces visibility — use low beams
Show answer
Answer: Reflects back and reduces visibility — use low beams
High beams reflect off fog into your eyes; low beams are better.
8. When stopped behind another car in traffic, you should leave enough space to:
- See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
- Save room for others
- Read its plate
- Touch bumpers
Show answer
Answer: See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
Leave enough gap to see the tires touching the road — room to maneuver if needed.
9. What does this sign mean?
- Tunnel
- Divided highway
- Narrow bridge ahead
- Road widens
Show answer
Answer: Narrow bridge ahead
A narrow-bridge warning — the bridge ahead is narrower than the road; use caution.
10. A sign of this shape and color indicates:
- A construction or work zone
- A hospital zone
- A scenic route
- A school zone
Show answer
Answer: A construction or work zone
Orange means a construction or maintenance work zone — slow down and watch for workers.
11. If you smell smoke or see flames from your engine, you should:
- Pull over, shut off the engine, get out, and move away
- Keep driving
- Speed to a station
- Open the hood immediately
Show answer
Answer: Pull over, shut off the engine, get out, and move away
Stop, turn off the engine, evacuate, and move well away from the vehicle.
12. Hazard (four-way) flashers are meant for when your vehicle is:
- Moving fast
- Stopped or disabled and creating a hazard
- Passing
- Turning
Show answer
Answer: Stopped or disabled and creating a hazard
Use hazards when stopped or disabled — not during normal driving.
13. A single broken (dashed) white line between lanes means:
- Bike lane
- Opposing traffic
- No lane changes
- You may change lanes when safe
Show answer
Answer: You may change lanes when safe
Broken white lines separate same-direction lanes and allow lane changes when safe.
14. Before a night trip you should check that:
- Only the radio works
- The seats recline
- All lights (head, tail, brake, signals) work
- The horn is loud
Show answer
Answer: All lights (head, tail, brake, signals) work
Make sure all your lights work before driving at night.
15. When traffic ahead slows suddenly, having a proper following distance lets you:
- Pass immediately
- Ignore brake lights
- Tailgate safely
- Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Show answer
Answer: Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending the car in front.
16. Using hazard lights while driving normally in traffic is:
- A turn signal
- Recommended
- Required in rain
- Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Show answer
Answer: Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Hazards are for when you're stopped or disabled, not for normal driving.
17. The safest response to drowsiness behind the wheel is to:
- Push through
- Pull over and rest
- Turn up music
- Drive faster
Show answer
Answer: Pull over and rest
Only rest cures fatigue — pull over safely and sleep.
18. A white sign reading 'TRUCKS USE RIGHT LANE' means:
- Trucks must stay in the right lane
- No trucks at night
- Trucks are banned
- Cars use right lane
Show answer
Answer: Trucks must stay in the right lane
This regulatory sign requires trucks to keep to the right lane.
19. On a multilane highway you should generally match:
- A safe, legal speed with the flow of traffic
- The truck ahead
- The slowest driver
- The fastest driver
Show answer
Answer: A safe, legal speed with the flow of traffic
Drive a safe, legal speed near the flow of traffic; large speed differences cause crashes.
20. After a stopped school bus, when may you proceed?
- After honking
- When the red lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move
- Immediately if no children are seen
- As soon as you slow down
Show answer
Answer: When the red lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move
Remain stopped until the flashing red lights are off and the bus moves or signals you on.
More free Massachusetts practice