Driving School Instructor Certification

Initial Certification

Applications for a Driving School Instructor Certificate may be downloaded from the Forms section. Applications must be completed in their entirety and submitted with the appropriate non-refundable fees. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicants shall be at least 21 years of age and have at least 24 months operating experience.
2. Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Criminal Record Check - Applicants shall be subject to a criminal record check, and shall be rejected if they have been convicted of the crimes or have engaged in the conduct proscribed by M.G.L. c. 90, §32G. Applicants residing out-of-state or who have relocated to Massachusetts from another state or country must provide a criminal record check from their home state or previous state or country that is not older than 30 days.
4. Driving Record Check - Applicants shall be subject to a check of their driving record. No instructor's certificate shall be issued or allowed to remain in effect if an applicant's or certificate holder's license or right to operate a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked. No instructor's certificate shall be issued or allowed to remain in effect if an applicant has an unsatisfactory driving record for at least two consecutive years prior to application, including but not limited to any mandatory license suspension activity, or revocation of licensing or driving privileges within the preceding two years based on a moving violation; or any conviction under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, within the preceding five year period of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, or of marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances, as defined in M.G.L. c. 94C, § 1 or the vapors of glue. Any person who consents to have any such case disposed of under the provisions of § 24D shall for the purpose of this section be deemed to be convicted. Once the license or right to operate has been reinstated the applicant may apply for an instructor's certificate, which may be issued if, after a review of the nature and circumstances of the information contained in the applicant's driving record, the Registrar determines it appropriate. Applicants residing out-of-state or who have relocated to Massachusetts from another state or country must provide a driving record from their home state or previous state or country that is not older than 30 days.
5. Applicants shall have satisfactorily completed and submit a certificate of completion of a 65-hour Driving Instructor Training Course (DITC), given by an approved driving school whose DITC curriculum is approved and on file with the RMV (see Driving Instructor Training Course). This course is required for new instructor applicants and those whose certifications have lapsed for more than four (4) years.
6. Applicants shall successfully pass an exam administered by the RMV comprised of 100-questions selected from the most current edition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Driver's Manual with a passing grade of at least 90%.

Additional Required Documentation

• All applicants for a driving instructor certificate must provide a Driver Instructor Training Course (DITC) Certificate of Completion issued by a licensed professional driving school authorized to provide instructor training.
• Criminal Offender Record Check/Driving Record - Applicants residing out-of-state or who have relocated to Massachusetts from another state or country must provide a certified criminal record and driving record from their home state or previous state or country that is no older than 30 days.
• Copy of high school diploma or documentation of equivalent.
• Applicants residing out-of-state must provide a copy of their driver's license.

If you are a Public School Driver Education Instructor, please provide:

• Applicants must submit documentation on school or district letterhead showing proof of active employment by the public high school, vocational school, municipal or regional school committee.

If you are a Commercial Motor Vehicle Instructor (CDL), please provide:

• Have 24 months full-time service as a class A vehicle operator.
• Documented authorization from the Department of Education.

Completed applications should be forwarded to the following address:

Instructor's Exam

Exams are scheduled after an application has been reviewed and it has been determined that the applicant meets all licensing requirements of M.G.L. c.90 §32G and CMR 540 §23.00 and these published guidelines.

Once an application has been approved an exam date will automatically be scheduled and the applicant will be notified of the date, time and location of their exam by mail. Exams are scheduled within 10 business days from receipt of the application.

Exams are conducted at the following RMV branch locations and scheduled at the nearest branch to the applicants place of residence:

• Quincy - 76 Ross Way
• Lawrence - 73 Winthrop Avenue
• Worcester - 611 Main Street
• New Bedford - 950 Kings Highway
• Hadley - 195 Russell Street

Applicants will be notified by mail of the results of their exam. Applicants who successfully complete the exam shall receive their instructor's certificate by mail within 7-10 business days from the date of the exam.

Applicants who do not pass the instructor's exam will be notified by mail and afforded an opportunity to schedule another exam. Applicants shall be subject to an additional exam fee of $25.

Renewal of Certification

Public School Driver Education Instructors - All applicants for renewal shall submit documentation on school or district letterhead showing proof of employment as a driver's education instructor.

Instructors renewing their certification after a 48-month interval of non-certification shall be required to successfully repeat the Driving Instructor Training Course and pass the 100-question instructor's examination.

Instructor Conduct

Instructors shall refrain from the use of cell phones, smoking,or any other distracting behavior or activity while conducting instruction.