New York

The minimum age for a junior operator license is 16. The manual also says students who are at least age 15 years and 11 months may take the online knowledge test through participating high schools. Students must be at least 16 to bring the receipt and apply for a learner permit at DMV.The provided pages do not state a general parental consent rule for applying.

• Vision test: You must have 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. • Knowledge test: 20 questions. • Passing score: At least 14 correct answers out of 20. • Road signs requirement: At least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be correct. • Time limit: Not stated in the provided pages.

To apply for a learner permit or driver license, you must complete Application for Driver License (MV-44), pass the vision and knowledge tests, and pay the application and license fees. You must show proof of name and date of birth and provide your Social Security number. Proofs of name must total 6 points or more, and at least one proof must have your signature. The manual gives examples such as a U.S. passport, foreign passport with required immigration documents, out-of-state photo license or ID, Social Security card, utility bill, school records, and other identity documents. All proofs must be in English or include a certified English translation.

Permit holders cannot drive unless accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least age 21 and licensed for that vehicle. In Long Island and New York City, this person must be a parent, guardian, or driving instructor. Permit holders cannot drive in a DMV road test area. They also cannot drive on any street within a park in New York City, on bridges or tunnels under the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, or on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County. Drivers with a junior learner permit cannot carry more than one passenger under age 21 unless the passengers are immediate family, or the supervising driver is a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, driver education teacher, or driving school instructor. The only front-seat passenger allowed is the supervising driver. Everyone must wear a seat belt, and each child passenger must use a correct child restraint. Regional junior permit rules also limit where and when a junior permit holder may drive. In New York City, a junior permit holder must not drive from 9 PM to 5 AM.

When practicing with a learner permit, you must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21, has a license valid for the type of vehicle, and sits in the front seat. For junior permit drivers, the supervising driver depends on the region and time of day. In New York City and on Long Island, the rules are stricter. In some situations, the supervisor must be a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, driver education teacher, or driving school instructor. Before the road test, the manual says it is important to have at least 50 hours of practice, including at least 15 hours after sunset. It recommends at least 10 of those hours in moderate to heavy traffic. Junior drivers must submit Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262). With this form, a parent or guardian certifies at least 50 practice hours, including 15 after sunset.

New York uses graduated driver licensing, or GDL, for junior permit and junior license holders under age 18. Rules depend on where you drive: New York City, Long Island, or upstate counties. With a junior license, you cannot drive with more than one passenger under age 21 unless the passengers are immediate family. Everyone must wear a seat belt, and each child passenger must use a correct child restraint. In New York City, a junior license holder must not drive alone. On Long Island, solo driving is limited to direct trips between home and certain approved activities listed in the chart, such as employment, work-study, a course at a college, university, or registered evening high school, a driver education course, or farm employment, depending on the time of day. Upstate, daytime solo driving is allowed, while nighttime solo driving is limited to direct trips between home and employment or a school course. Junior permit or junior license holders can face special penalties. A serious traffic violation or repeated violations can lead to suspension or revocation. A texting or cell phone conviction brings a 120-day suspension. A junior permit must be held for at least 6 months before a road test can be scheduled.

Before making a road test appointment, you must complete an approved safe driving course. This requirement can be met through a driver education course or a 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course. The certificate is valid for one year. All permit holders must give the examiner their photo learner permit and a 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278), unless a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) is on file. Junior drivers must also hold the permit for at least 6 months and provide a completed Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262) showing at least 50 hours of practice, including 15 after sunset. You must bring a vehicle that is correctly registered, inspected, insured, equipped, and in good working order. The passenger-side seat belt must be available and clean for the examiner. If you drive to the test site, you must bring a supervising driver who is at least 21 and licensed for that vehicle.

Drivers must yield to traffic already in an intersection. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right. At intersections without signals, or where drivers stop at the same time and are at right angles, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. A vehicle entering from a driveway, private road, or another place that is not a roadway must stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians. Drivers must yield to pedestrians who legally use marked or unmarked crosswalks. Do not enter an intersection if traffic is backed up and you cannot get completely through it. A driver entering a traffic circle or rotary must yield to vehicles already in the circle. You must yield to emergency vehicles using lights and siren or air-horn by pulling over safely to the right edge of the road and stopping. The Move Over Law also requires drivers to reduce speed and, on certain multi-lane controlled-access roads, move out of the lane next to a stopped emergency or hazard vehicle when it can be done safely.

The provided pages do not include a general statewide speed-limit table. They do state that you must not exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle. The manual says a work area speed limit as low as 25 MPH can be posted. Even if no speed limit is posted in the work zone, you must drive at a reduced speed and obey flag persons. The point chart shows speeding penalties based on how many miles per hour you are over the posted limit, but it does not list standard speed limits by road type in the provided pages.

Traffic lights may be red, yellow, and green. They may be steady or flashing, round or arrows. If signals are out of service or not working correctly, you must stop as you would for a stop sign and then follow right-of-way rules unless a traffic officer directs you. A steady red means stop. A right turn on red is allowed after a full stop and after yielding, unless a sign, signal, or pavement marking prevents the turn. In New York City, turning on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it. A left turn on red is allowed only from one one-way road into another one-way road after stopping and yielding. Flashing red means stop, then go when safe. Steady yellow means prepare to stop. Flashing yellow means drive with caution. Steady green means go, but still yield when required. Arrow signals control movement in the arrow’s direction. Lane-use control lights may appear on some highways. A steady red X means do not drive in that lane. A steady yellow X means move from the lane. A flashing yellow X means the lane can be used only for a left turn. A green arrow means the lane may be used.

Traffic signs tell drivers about rules, hazards, directions, and services. The manual says you will be asked about signs on the written test. Regulation signs are normally white rectangles with black letters or symbols. Warning signs are normally yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols. Destination signs are green with white letters. Service signs are blue with white letters. Examples shown in the manual include the STOP sign, YIELD sign, route signs, work area signs, and service signs. A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed.

Pavement markings divide lanes, show passing and lane-change rules, indicate turn lanes, and show where drivers must stop. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken line means you may pass or change lanes if it is safe. A solid line with a broken line means the side with the solid line cannot pass except to make a left turn into a driveway. Double solid lines mean no passing or lane change except to turn left to enter or leave the highway. One solid line means passing or lane changes are allowed only when obstructions or traffic conditions make them necessary. Stop lines and crosswalk lines show where to stop when required by a sign, signal, officer, or to yield to a pedestrian, in-line skater, or scooter. Arrows show which lane you must use for a turn. A diamond symbol marks a reserved lane, such as for buses, HOV traffic, bicycles, or other special vehicles.

Parallel parking is part of every road test. In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot from the curb. On a hill, set the parking brake, place the transmission in Park or 1st gear, and turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road. The manual defines parking, standing, and stopping. A NO PARKING sign allows a temporary stop to load or unload merchandise or passengers. A NO STANDING sign allows only a temporary stop to receive or discharge passengers, and the driver cannot leave the vehicle. A NO STOPPING sign allows stopping only to obey a sign, signal, or officer, or to prevent conflicts with other vehicles. You cannot park, stop, or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle, on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, in an intersection unless permitted, on railroad tracks, on a bridge or in a tunnel, or while double parked. Parking or standing is not allowed in front of a driveway, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 30 feet of a traffic light or STOP or YIELD sign, within 20 feet of a fire station driveway or within 75 feet on the opposite side of the road, along a lowered curb, or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

When a stopped school bus flashes red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus, including in front of the school and in school parking lots. The manual says you should stop at least 20 feet away. Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or discharge passengers. Drivers should decrease speed and be prepared to stop. You must remain stopped until the bus starts moving again or the driver or a traffic officer signals that you may proceed. This rule applies on all roadways in New York State, even if the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway. Penalties are serious. The fine for passing a stopped school bus ranges from a minimum of $250 for a first violation to a maximum of $1,000 for three violations in three years. Three convictions in three years can result in license revocation for at least six months. The manual also notes stop-arm camera penalties for vehicle owners.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians who legally use marked or unmarked crosswalks. This means slowing down or stopping if needed. Even if the light turns green, you must wait for a pedestrian already in the crosswalk. Drivers must take care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists. When turning, watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, moped riders, people in wheelchairs, people pushing strollers, and others who may be harder to see. When passing a bicycle from behind, you must pass on the left at a safe distance until the bicycle has been cleared. You must never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross. After parallel parking, do not open the door on the road side if it would interfere with bicyclists or other traffic.

The provided pages state that a junior permit or junior license driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt, one per person. Every child passenger must use a correct child restraint. The point chart shows that a seat belt violation involving a driver or passenger age 16 or older carries 0 DMV points, but it is still a violation. The provided pages do not include the full general seat belt law for all drivers and passengers.

For junior permit and junior license driving, every child passenger must use a correct child restraint. The point chart lists a child safety restraint violation as a 3-point offense. The provided pages do not include the full age, height, or equipment rules for child restraints.

The manual treats texting and improper cell phone use as serious violations. The DMV point chart assigns 5 points for use of a portable electronic device, including texting, and 5 points for improper cell phone use. For junior drivers, a texting or cell phone conviction results in a 120-day suspension. For newly licensed probationary drivers age 18 or older, a texting or cell phone conviction also causes a 120-day suspension. The provided pages do not include the full hands-free rule text, but they clearly identify these offenses and their penalties.

New York’s manual lists major alcohol- and drug-related penalties. Aggravated DWI with .18 BAC brings a minimum 1-year revocation. DWI with .08 BAC brings a minimum 6-month revocation. DWAI by alcohol brings a 90-day suspension. DWAI by drugs brings a minimum 6-month revocation. Chemical test refusal also brings major penalties. For drivers over age 21, a first refusal brings a minimum 1-year revocation. A refusal within five years of a prior refusal revocation or any alcohol- or drug-related violation brings a minimum 18-month revocation. There are separate penalties for drivers under age 21. For drivers under age 21, conviction for any listed alcohol- or drug-related violation results in a minimum 1-year revocation. Under the Zero Tolerance Law, a BAC from .02 to .07 causes a 6-month suspension for a first offense. A second Zero Tolerance violation causes revocation for 1 year or until age 21, whichever is longer. Out-of-state alcohol or drug violations can also affect a New York license, with longer penalties for drivers under age 21.

The manual says a crash can often be prevented. It also says that if you are involved in a traffic crash in which another person is killed, your license can be suspended or revoked after a DMV hearing even if you were not charged with a violation at the time. The manual also says your license can be suspended indefinitely if you fail to file a crash report. Leaving the scene of a personal injury or fatal crash is listed as a violation that leads to revocation for at least six months. The provided pages do not include the full chapter on what to do at the scene, emergency first aid, or detailed reporting steps.

On roads and highways, drivers must stay on the right side of the road, usually pass on the left, and may pass on the right only in limited situations allowed by law. You may not exceed the speed limit to pass. Do not pass on the left when there is a solid yellow center line, when you cannot safely return to your lane, near hills or curves without enough view ahead, within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, or within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or viaduct where your view is obstructed. When another vehicle passes you, stay centered in your lane and reduce speed slightly. If many vehicles are passing you on the right, move into the right lane and let them pass on the left. The manual also describes lane-use control lights and reserved lanes such as HOV and bus lanes on some highways.

In New York City, junior permit and junior license driving is more restricted than in other parts of the state. A junior permit holder must not drive from 9 PM to 5 AM, and a junior license holder must not drive alone. The manual states that turning right on red is not allowed in New York City unless a sign specifically permits it. Permit holders also may not practice on any street within a park in New York City or on bridges and tunnels under the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. The manual notes that many traffic crashes occur at intersections and in large parking lots.

The manual encourages practice and safe habits before the road test. It says the amount of practice before the road test can make a positive difference and recommends practice in moderate to heavy traffic, as well as on expressways and other highways. When turning or changing lanes, signal early, reduce speed, and watch for traffic on all sides. Look over your shoulder before changing lanes because mirrors leave blind spots. Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn left so your vehicle is less likely to be pushed into oncoming traffic if hit from behind. Do not enter an intersection unless you can get completely through it. Be alert to motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles. When passing, use caution and return to your lane only when you can see enough space. The provided pages mention a DMV-approved Crash Prevention or Defensive Driving Course, but they do not include the full defensive-driving chapter text.

The Move Over Law requires drivers to use care around stopped emergency or hazard vehicles with lights activated. Drivers must reduce speed on all roads. On parkways, interstates, and other controlled-access roads with multiple lanes, drivers must also move out of the lane next to the stopped vehicle when it can be done safely. Work zones require extra caution. Work area speed limits can be as low as 25 MPH. Even without a posted work-zone speed limit, drivers must reduce speed and obey flag persons. The manual also states that texting and improper cell phone use are moving violations with DMV points and special suspensions for junior and probationary drivers. The provided pages do not include the full general headlight-use law.

• In New York City, you may not turn right on red unless a sign specifically allows it. • Drivers must stop for a stopped school bus even if the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway. • U-turns are prohibited in business districts of New York City and in school zones. • New York’s regional junior permit and junior license charts set different rules for New York City, Long Island, and upstate counties. • The Move Over Law also applies to certain stopped hazard vehicles and vehicles with blue or green lights, as described in the manual.

• Learn sign colors and shapes first. White normally means regulation, yellow means warning, green means destination, and blue means services. • Study the signs shown in the manual, including STOP, YIELD, route signs, work area signs, and signs with a red circle and slash. • Remember that the test includes 4 road sign questions, and you must answer at least 2 of them correctly. • Use the questions in the manual and the DMV online practice quizzes mentioned in the manual for review.

• Missing too many knowledge-test questions. You need at least 14 correct out of 20. • Missing road sign questions. You must get at least 2 of the 4 sign questions right. • Not studying junior permit restrictions, including supervision, passengers, time, and regional rules. • Confusing right-of-way rules at intersections and crosswalks. • Forgetting school bus stopping rules. • Misunderstanding traffic signals, pavement markings, and passing rules. • Not studying alcohol and drug laws, which the manual says are included on the written test.