Chief’s Corner

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police Department

This week while conducting some business at Dudley Park and Shop, I was asked a question about learner’s permits.  The person is from Connecticut but conducts most of the family business here in town.  This person asked if her son, who has a learners permit to drive in Connecticut, is allowed to operate in Massachusetts?

Although I could not locate a law specifically authorizing this type of driving, an out of state person driving on a valid permit is allowed with some restrictions.  Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Sections 8B and 10 are the laws which address learners permits and out of state divers.  All persons operating in the Commonwealth must be at least 16 years old.  They also must be operating within the scope of the laws of the state from which they reside.

Another important condition is to have a licensed operator accompanying the permitted driver, occupying the seat next to the operator.  The licensed person must be at least 21 years of age, duly licensed by their state of residence, and have at least one year of driving experience.  If these conditions are in place, the individual driving on the permit can be considered to be operating on this person’s license. 

Violations for driving without a license can vary from a fine, loss of license, and even a jail sentence in some cases.  Anyone who will be driving under these conditions should be aware of the laws in their home state as well as have an understanding of the laws of the state in which they plan to operate.

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