A 17-year-old has held a JOL for two months. A 16-year-old friend who is not immediate family wants a ride. No exemption or qualified supervising adult is present. May the driver take the friend?

Correct answer: No; the initial passenger restriction applies.

Why

During the first six months of a JOL, an under-18 non-family passenger requires a supervising person seated beside the driver who is at least 21, duly licensed by the person’s state of residence, and has at least one year of driving experience. Immediate family is excepted. The restriction ends when its required period is completed or the operator turns 18; a suspension pauses the restriction period. A registrar-granted exemption for an emancipated minor is separate.

Verified against Massachusetts Driver’s Manual · A friend riding with a new junior operator · p. 18