Massachusetts driving test among most difficult in the country

Did you feel that your driving test was difficult? If you took yours in Massachusetts, you are not alone.

A study done by Siegfried and Jensen, ranked Massachusetts as the second most difficult driving test in the nation behind Washington. Rhode Island came in as the 22nd most difficult.

The license cost was also among the highest in the U.S coming in as the fourth most expensive.

The Massachusetts’ knowledge test was also considered one of the most difficult in the country.

The Methodology:

The information has been compiled on the basis of:
•Official Driver Handbook (or equivalent) issued by the Department for Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) in each state,
•Official websites of the Department for Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) in each state
•Information on driver testing from comparison websites Driving-Tests.org, DMV.org

All the information about licensing, driving tests, and associated requirements was collected on the assumption of the applicant being 18 years old and not having any mitigating circumstances, such as a veteran status or disability.

All information has been collated in September 2018 based on the latest materials available from the sources as noted above.

Difficulty ranking has been compiled on the basis of the following factors:
•Learner permit requirement. Whether it’s necessary to have a learner permit or equivalent prior to application for a full license and the duration this permit should be held.
•License cost. Cost of a license per year of validity.
•Testing cost. Total cost of written and road test.
•Knowledge test difficulty. Passing grade, i.e. % of questions one needs to get right
•Knowledge test fail permissiveness. Number of free attempts before reapplication or re-testing fee.
•Road test – Maneuvers. Number of graded maneuver elements, e.g. 3-point turn, parallel parking.
•Road test – Vehicle control. Number of graded vehicle control elements, e.g. turn signals, steering, etc.
•Road test – Adherence. Number of graded adherence elements, e.g. adhering to traffic signs and speed limits.
•Road test – Driver behaviors. Number of graded driver behaviors, e.g. observation, posture.
•Road test failure permissiveness. Number of free attempts before re-application.

Weightings and factors were approved by an expert at driving-tests.org.

For a full list of the rankings, go here.