The Teen License and Its Curfew
G.L. c. 90, § 8 — the junior operator license, 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., and no young passengers at first
A minor under 18 years of age can get a junior operator's license after holding a learner's permit for at least six months with a clean record, among the section's other requirements, and the application needs a parent's or guardian's written consent.
Who handles this in Massachusetts: Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs, listed in the Massachusetts directory.
| The limit | The exception |
|---|---|
| The limitNo driving between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. | The exceptionA parent or legal guardian along |
| The limitNo passengers under 18, other than immediate family, in the first 6 months | The exceptionAnother licensed driver at least 21, with at least 1 year of experience, in the seat beside the driver |
Driving in the late hours counts as driving unlicensed. A junior operator who breaks the time limit is treated as operating without being licensed. A violation of the passenger limit suspends the license for 60 days the first time, 180 days the second and 1 year after that.
The learner's permit and the other suspensions for junior operators are in the same chapter, not covered here. A particular charge is a question for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 8 — Operator licenses, and the junior operator license
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.