What form you need and where to get it

The form you need is the process for Learner's Permit, officially called Form DL 34. You can get it three ways: read it from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website, pick one up in person at any RMV office, or request one by mail. The form is free.

If you read it, print it on white paper and use black or blue ink to fill it out by hand. Do not type on the downloaded version — the RMV scanners read handwritten forms more reliably. If you pick one up at an RMV office, you can fill it there or take it home.

The form itself is one page, front and back. It asks for your personal information, address, Social Security number, and details about your vision and medical history. You will also declare whether you have ever held a license in another state.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL 34 is the only form you need to explore for a learner's permit in Massachusetts, and you can read it free from the RMV website or get a paper copy at any RMV office.
  • You must bring the completed form plus proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or a document showing your number when you submit it in person.
  • The form asks you to list any medical conditions or medications that might affect your driving, and you must answer honestly — the RMV may contact your doctor if you report something serious.
  • You cannot mail the completed form; you must submit it in person at an RMV office, and you will take your vision and written test the same day if you pass the initial screening.

Personal information section: what goes in each blank

Start with your full legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport. Use your first name, middle name (if you have one), and last name. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.

Next, enter your date of birth in the format shown on the form — usually MM/DD/YYYY. Then fill in your Social Security number. If you do not have one yet, write "Applied for" and bring proof that you submitted an process to the Social Security Administration.

For the address section, write your current street address, city, state, and ZIP code. This must be your actual residence in Massachusetts, not a mailing address or a friend's house. If you moved recently, use your current address, not your old one.

The form asks how long you have lived at this address. If you have been there less than a year, write the exact number of months. If you moved within the last 30 days, you may need to bring a utility bill or lease to prove residency, so keep that document with you when you go to the RMV office.

Vision and medical history: what the RMV needs to know

The form includes checkboxes for vision correction. Mark whether you wear glasses, contacts, or neither. If you wear corrective lenses, you must wear them during your vision test at the RMV office, and your license will be restricted to require them while driving.

Below that is a section asking whether you have any medical conditions or take any medications that might affect your ability to drive safely. This includes conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, heart problems, sleep disorders, or anything that causes dizziness, loss of consciousness, or impaired judgment. You must answer truthfully. If you check "yes," the form asks you to list the condition and the name of your doctor.

The RMV may contact your doctor to ask whether the condition makes you unsafe to drive. This is not meant to embarrass you — it is a safety step. If your doctor confirms you can drive safely, you will be cleared to get your permit. If they have concerns, the RMV may require you to take an additional road test or may deny the permit temporarily.

Prior licenses and violations: filling in your driving history

The form asks whether you have ever held a driver's license or learner's permit in Massachusetts or any other state. If you have, write the state and the license number. If you have never held a license anywhere, write "None."

If you have held a license before, the form asks whether it was ever suspended, revoked, or denied. If yes, you must write the reason and the date. Do not leave this blank or write "I don't remember" — the RMV has records and will find out. If you are not sure, call the RMV before you go in person and ask them to look up your history.

If you have had violations, accidents, or suspensions in another state, disclose them. The RMV shares records with other states, and lying on this form can result in denial of your permit or criminal charges for fraud.

Signature and date: the final step before submission

At the bottom of the form, you must sign and date it in the spaces provided. Use your legal signature — the same one you use on official documents. Print your name below the signature line if the form asks for it.

If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the form in the space marked "Parent/Guardian Signature." Both signatures must be in ink, not printed. If only one parent is available, that parent can sign. If you live with a legal guardian instead of a parent, they sign instead.

Write the date you sign the form in the format shown — usually MM/DD/YYYY. Do not sign the form before you fill it out completely, and do not sign it more than a few days before you plan to submit it to the RMV.

Documents to bring with you when you submit the form

The completed Form DL 34 is only part of what you need. You must also bring original documents — photocopies are not accepted. Bring your Social Security card or a document that shows your number, such as a tax return or W-2 form. You will also need proof of your legal name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate, passport, or adoption papers.

For proof of Massachusetts residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement in your name with your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you moved recently and do not have a utility bill yet, a lease or rental agreement works.

If you are under 18, bring your parent or guardian with you. They must be present when you submit the form and sign it in front of the RMV staff member. If both parents have custody, only one needs to be there, but the form must have both signatures.

What happens after you submit the form

Once you hand in your completed form and documents, an RMV staff member will review them on the spot. If everything is correct, you will move to the vision screening area. An RMV employee will test your eyesight using a machine. If you pass, you will be sent to take the written test.

The written test covers Massachusetts traffic laws and safe driving practices. You have 30 minutes to answer 25 multiple-choice questions. You must get at least 18 correct to pass. If you pass the written test, you will receive your learner's permit the same day, usually within an hour or two of submitting your form.

If you fail the vision test or written test, you can retake it. You do not need to fill out a new Form DL 34 — just go back to the RMV office and ask to retake the test. There is usually a small fee for each retake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the form online instead of printing it?

No. The RMV only accepts the paper Form DL 34 filled out by hand or typed. You cannot submit the form through email or an online portal. You must print it and bring it in person to an RMV office.

What if I make a mistake while filling out the form?

If you make a small error, cross it out neatly with a single line and write the correct information above it. Initial the correction. Do not use white-out or tape. If you make several mistakes, get a fresh copy of the form and start over — the RMV will reject a form that is hard to read.

Do I need to bring my school ID or work ID?

No. The RMV does not accept school or work IDs as proof of identity. You need an official government-issued ID like a birth certificate, passport, or adoption papers. A student ID alone is not enough.

What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

Write "Applied for" on the form and bring a receipt or letter from the Social Security Administration showing you submitted an process. The RMV will issue your permit, but you will need to provide your number later when you convert it to a full license.

Can I submit the form by mail instead of going to the RMV office?

No. You must submit the form in person at an RMV office. You also need to be there for the vision test and written test, which happen the same day. There is no mail-in option for learner's permits in Massachusetts.