Insuring a Teen Driver
Here's how it works, what our carriers offer, and 5 ways to lower the bill.
At Nobile, we want to make insurance for teen drivers as easy as possible without leaving any savings on the table. This is an exciting time for you and your teen, and we want to make sure you’re prepared for the road ahead.
Here’s how it works.
Before your teen can get on the road independently, there's a process every new driver must complete.
Last Updated May 2026 | Some information sourced from Mass.gov
(1) Get your learner’s permit.
You can apply for your learner's permit at any RMV location starting at age 16. The exam is 25 multiple-choice questions, and you'll need to answer at least 18 correctly within the 25-minute time limit. If they pass, your teen will receive a paper permit that day, with the official card arriving by mail a few days later.
(2) Complete driver’s ed during the permit period.
This is when most of driver's ed actually happens. Your teen will need:
30 hours of classroom instruction (Massachusetts motor vehicle law and safe operation)
18 hours of in-car training (12 hours behind-the-wheel + 6 hours of observation)
A 2-hour parent/guardian class
40 hours of parent-supervised driving practice
Note: Classroom instruction can technically start at 15 years 9 months, but the in-car portion requires the permit.
(3) Get your JOL.
Once your teen is at least 16½, has held the permit for 6 months with no moving violations, and completed driver's ed, they can take the RMV road test. Passing it earns them a JOL with restrictions on nighttime driving (12:30 AM – 5:00 AM curfew) and passengers (first 6 months).
(4) Restrictions lift to a full Class D Driver's License.
No additional road test required. The passenger restriction lifts at age 17, the nighttime curfew lifts at 18, and the JOL becomes a full unrestricted Class D Driver's License.
Permit Rules & Restrictions
After getting your learner’s permit, Massachusetts law requires the following:
For Learners
- Permit curfew runs from 12:00 AM, one half hour earlier than the JOL curfew of 12:30 AM.
- All suspensions require reapplying for the permit before driving again.
Sourced from Mass.gov
JOL Rules & Restrictions
After earning your JOL, Massachusetts law requires the following:
For Junior Operators
Sourced from Mass.gov
“Should I add my teen to our policy?”
In most cases, you should.
Improving your SDIP score
Every Mass driver has an SDIP score, and newly-licensed drivers start out at 0. Here's how to improve your SDIP score and earn a perfect SDIP of 99.
Avoid at-fault accidents. An at-fault accident can add significant points to your SDIP score and keep your premium elevated for years. Defensive driving habits, like maintaining safe following distances, avoiding distracted driving, and slowing down in bad weather, are your best insurance against costly surcharges.
Note: Not every accident automatically results in a surcharge. In Massachusetts, if you weren't at fault, your SDIP score shouldn't be affected. Always report accidents accurately and work with your carrier to understand how fault is being assigned.
Keep a clean record. Traffic violations like speeding tickets, running red lights, and other moving violations add SDIP points just like accidents do. Obeying traffic laws isn't just about safety, it’ll save you real money.
Understand how long points stay on your record. SDIP points don't last forever. In Massachusetts, surchargeable incidents generally affect your record for a set number of years before dropping off. Time is one of the best ways to improve your score as long as you keep a clean record.
Work with an independent agent. We’ll shop your policy across multiple carriers to find one that rates your specific SDIP score most favorably. Two carriers can look at the same driving record and price it differently, which is a big reason why working with an independent agency like Nobile pays off.
Worried about the cost?
The next page covers how the carrier you pick affects your rate, plus 5 ways we help families lower the bill.