The "Junior Operator License (JOL) Law" [Chapter 220 of the Acts of 1998] requires the state’s youngest drivers to have more experience behind the wheel before a road test can be taken. The law is a "graduated license law" in that a new, young driver starts out with restrictions that are removed as the driver advances from the "learner’s permit" phase through the "junior operator license" phase into a "full license." A JOL provides for restrictions for a period of time after the junior operator license is obtained and provides "enhanced penalties" for certain motor vehicle offenses committed by junior operators, such as speeding and racing and those involving alcohol or drugs. Operators over the age of 18 but under the age of 21 are also subject to special penalties if alcohol or drugs are involved. A driver ceases to be a junior operator when he or she turns age 18, although penalties will still apply for offenses committed while a junior operator.

The questions and answers contained in this material were prepared by the Legal Counsel's Office of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to provide assistance to young drivers, their parents, members of the law enforcement community, Driver Education Instructors and RMV employees. Although the RMV obviously cannot prepare an answer for every potential question that may be raised concerning the law, we believe that the answers that have been provided represent fair, logical and detailed responses to the types of questions that we find are asked most frequently. The responses have been prepared based upon a careful reading of the provisions of the law and the inferences to be drawn from them. These responses represent the RMV's opinion of the relevant provisions of this law. The new questions and answers contained in this document supplement previous material relating to the JOL law. To the extent that a revised answer is provided for a question contained in an earlier version, the revised answer is intended to supersede the previous answer.  For more information, please visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles web site.

  1. A Summary of JOL Requirements

Q I am 16 1/2 years old and I heard that there is a law that requires driver training before I can get my driver's license. What does the law require?

A If you apply for a driver's license and are between the ages of 16 1/2 and 18 you must have possessed a learner's permit for at least six (6) months and will only be issued a "Junior Operator's License" (JOL), upon passing a road test, and only if:

* You have successfully completed a driver education and training program approved by the Registrar which includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, six (6) [soon to be expanded to eight (8)] hours of in-car behind-the-wheel training and six (6) [soon to be reduced to four (4)] hours in-car as an observer of another student driver;

* You have completed at least an additional 12 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving as shown by a certified statement provided by your parent or guardian;

* You have had a learner's permit for at least six (6) months; and

* You have had a "clean driving record" for a minimum of six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding the date you took your road test.

The most significant effects of the law's requirements and restrictions are on the operation of a motor vehicle by a person in possession of a "Junior Operator's License." A basic purpose of the law is to provide you with a supervised opportunity to develop good driving skills, while being free of possible distractions caused by having friends your own age present while you are behind the wheel. Under the law, if you are a junior operator (between the ages of 16 1/2 and 18):

* You may not operate a motor vehicle, within the first six (6) months after receiving a "Junior Operator's License" while any passenger under the age of 18 is in the vehicle (other than yourself or an immediate family member), unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver's license from Massachusetts or another state and is occupying a seat beside you. A junior operator who violates the passenger restriction shall be subject to a license suspension of up to 90 days. The six (6) month passenger restriction period will stop running when the suspension begins and the remainder of the restriction period will start running again when the suspension is completed.

* As the holder of a "Junior Operator's License" (or Learner's Permit), you may not operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by your parent or your legal guardian.

* You may not operate a motor vehicle requiring a commercial driver's license;

* Your "Junior Operator's License" will be suspended for a substantial period of time if you are under 18 years of age at the time certain driving offenses involving alcohol or drugs are committed.

* You will face a license suspension for a 2nd or subsequent offense for speeding or drag racing violations.

16. Penalty for Violation of Passenger Restriction

Q I will be getting my "Junior Operator's License" shortly. What is the penalty if I get caught driving with my friends who are under age 18 if I do not have a licensed driver aged 21 or over, in the car?

A You may not operate a motor vehicle, within the first six (6) months after receiving your "Junior Operator's License" while any person under the age of 18 is in the vehicle (other than yourself or an immediate family member), unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver's license from Massachusetts or another state, and is occupying a seat beside you.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or permit others to operate any motorized scooter within the Town of Merrimac under any of the following circumstances:

    1.  On public sidewalks.
    2.  On public and private roadways, if the operator does not possess a valid drivers license or Massachusetts' learners permit
    3.  In public parks and recreational areas.
    4.  On public school property.
    5.  On private property without the written consent of the owner or occupant of said property.  Written consent shall be required
         for operation of any motorized scooter upon the property of any private club or other organization that permits use by
         club members.
    6.  In such a manner as to create loud or unnecessary noise as to unreasonably disturb or interfere in the peaceful and
         quiet enjoyment of their property.
    7.  No person shall operate a motorized scooter before the hour of 7:00AM and after the hour of 9:00PM.
    8.  With a second rider on the scooter.
    9.  Without wearing protective headgear conforming to Registry of Motor Vehicles standards.

Any person operating a motorized scooter, within the Town of Merrimac, must conform with all traffic laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.

Penalty:  Violations shall be subject to a $25.00 (twenty-five dollar) fine for the first offense and no more than a $50.00 (fifty dollar) fine for subsequent offenses. (ATM 6/10/03)

Definition:  Motorized Scooter - Unregistered, two wheel, with handle grips, powered by a gasoline 2-stroke engine.  A "motorized bicycle" or a motorcycle, as defined in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90 Section I are not motorized scooters.

TOWN BY-LAW:  Article VI section XV.

TOWN BY-LAW:  Article XV section XVI

Any person owning or having custody of an animal shall immediately remove that animal's waste from public property or private property other than that of the animal's owner.  Violation shall be subject to a $10.00 (ten dollar) fine for the first offense and no more than a $20.00 (twenty dollar) fine for subsequent offenses. (ATM 6/10/03)

For more information, you may call the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) toll free hotline number at:

• The State will process incident reports and will contact the Board of Health.
• The Board of Health will pick up bird(s) as directed by the State.

Merrimac Board of Health - Health Agent:  Edward T. Gallagher - 978-346-4066.