(Disclaimer: Poster is from the Province of Ontario. May not apply to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction.)
Insurance is not tied to a person-car pair but to a car itself... I think
From my understanding, similar in other jurisdictions - if you have the permission of the car owner, you will be covered by insurance. Obviously the driving record of the owner and the risk of the owner dictates premiums paid. This would permit you to borrow a vehicle for a road test (as, say, most driving schools will allow you to do).
There's no distinction between an automatic and manual driving licence here
Nope. By most accounts, you're better off taking the test in an automatic - not only is it just easier and leaves you less to worry about, but some of the standards they sometimes look for in operation of a manual transmission are just outright unsafe, harsh on the vehicle, and contrary to the way you'd drive "for real" (downshifting sequentially as you slow down, etc.)
no subject
Insurance is not tied to a person-car pair but to a car itself... I think
From my understanding, similar in other jurisdictions - if you have the permission of the car owner, you will be covered by insurance. Obviously the driving record of the owner and the risk of the owner dictates premiums paid. This would permit you to borrow a vehicle for a road test (as, say, most driving schools will allow you to do).
There's no distinction between an automatic and manual driving licence here
Nope. By most accounts, you're better off taking the test in an automatic - not only is it just easier and leaves you less to worry about, but some of the standards they sometimes look for in operation of a manual transmission are just outright unsafe, harsh on the vehicle, and contrary to the way you'd drive "for real" (downshifting sequentially as you slow down, etc.)