The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) notes that you must be at least 16 years of age to drive in Massachusetts, even if you hold a valid driver's license from another state. If you live in MA you must be at least 16 and 1/2 to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license.

The Massachusetts RMV states that teens with out-of-state driver’s licenses can operate a vehicle in MA. The MA Junior Operator’s License (JOL) fact sheet states that passenger and time restrictions do not apply to out of state teenagers. Here it notes the passenger restriction only applies to a person who holds a junior operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Also the 12:30 am to 5:00 am time restriction for MA JOL holders only applies to a licensed driver under the age of 18 who is licensed in Massachusetts. A driver under the age of 18 who is licensed in another state is not subject to the MA law. The MA RMV notes that you should check your state’s law to ensure that you are not operating in violation of any of the restrictions on your license.

If you have restrictions on your home state’s license, those same restrictions apply while you are operating in MA the JOL fact sheet states. Furthermore, you may be subject to licensing action by your own state if you operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts in violation of the terms of your own state’s license laws.

Since the minimum age for MA drivers is 16 1/2 we checked with the Massachusetts DMV to make certain at age 16 you can drive there with your FL license. The MA DMV representative we contacted stated that yes, you can drive in Massachusetts at 16 with an out of state license. You must however follow the rules of your state and the rules of Massachusetts she said.

Since the MA JOL fact sheet noted that the MA time and passenger restrictions do not apply to out of state teen license holders we would advise you to contact the MA RMV directly to find out what restrictions they want you to adhere to while operating a vehicle in their state.

In Florida at 16 with an operator’s license your restrictions include:

• Driving allowed between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• All other times must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old occupying the closest seat to the right of the driver, or be traveling to or from work.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles representative that we spoke to stated that your FL graduated license should allow you to drive out of state as long as you abide by the restrictions Florida has placed on you.