Getting Your Massachusetts Driving License: A Step by Step Guide

1. You need a Social Security Number(American Students) or a Social Security Denial

Notice (generally International Students)

What you need- Passport and I-20 Form

Where? Located in Downtown Boston. Easily accessible by public transport- North
Station or a 10min walk from Government Centre Station.
No appointment needed.

Social Security Office

O'Neill Federal Bldg.
10 Causeway St.
Room 148
Boston, MA 02222.

On the right hand side of the office entrance is a ticketing machine. Click on the option
regarding Social Security Card/Number Application. Once you get a number, in front of
the counters is a table with forms. If you are an International Student, fill up “Denial
Form/Notice”. Wait for your number to be called- it could take some time. This is free.

You are done once you have received the SSN Denial Notice.

If you think you deserve a reward, walk to the North End to enjoy a cannoli at Mike’s
Pastry- 300 Hanover St, Boston. Alternatively, if you desire a 3rd Week experience, the
New England Holocaust Memorial-98 Union St, Boston. It is not far from the Social
Security office- it is truly an emotional experience and it is free!

2. Now you need to study to get a Learner’s Permit.

You can find the manual here -

http://www.massrmv.com/LicenseandID/DrivingManuals/DriversManualEnglish.aspx.
Be familiar with everything in the manual including the section on fines and penalties for
Junior Operators even though it does not apply to you.

What you need-

http://www.massrmv.com/ChecklistsforBranchTransactions/LearnersPermitfor18Yearsof
AgeandOlder.aspx

Once you are ready to sit for the test and have all the documents as requested in the
checklist, you are ready to go to the RMV Service Centre. The closest service center to
 Peter Faber Jesuit Community is 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA. No appointment
needed. It is located inside the shopping mall.

Follow instruction from the staff sitting at the entrance of the office. Be prepared to wait
for over 2 hours. After sitting for the test, regardless of your grade, speak to the staff
outside the testing room. This center received 254 Google reviews and was rated 2.2
stars. Regardless of your score in the test (pass or fail), give me a call and we can have a
beer because surviving this place is a challenge, and self-care is important!

3. Once you have your Learners Permit, you are on your way to getting your full driving
license! There are two driving schools near us and members of the Peter Faber Jesuit
Community have used their services and recommend them. Give either one a call to book
a road test, sponsor and class/es.
- Newton Driving School
50 Winchester St, Newton, MA 02461
(617) 332-6323
newtondrivingschool@gmail.com
- Brookline Driving School
374 Boylston Street
Brookline, MA 02445
617-232-9400

If there is a long waiting time for the Road Test, you may want to contact RMV on 857-
368-8000 who might be able to tell you where the earliest Road Test may be. Please note
this could be a 3 hour drive from Boston. After making the Road Test appointment over
the phone, you may want to Google search a driving school in that area for you to book a
class and a sponsor for the actual driving test.

All the very best!

Ramesh Richards SJ

Last updated Summer 2018