New York DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the New York driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the New York-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official New York driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real New York test has 20 questions and you need 14 correct (70%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes New York-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

New York Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	20 questions, must score 14/20 (70%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	16
Minimum License Age	16 years 6 months (junior license); full license at 18, or 17 with driver education
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 65 mph \| Residential: 30 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DWI/DWAI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points range from 2 to 11. 11 or more points in 18 months results in license suspension.

Rules Specific to New York

New York requires a 5-hour pre-licensing course before you can take the road test
Junior permit and junior license holders may not drive in New York City at all
New York has DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) at BAC 0.05-0.07 in addition to DWI at 0.08+

Sample New York Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to New York. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

In New York City, when is a right turn on red generally allowed?
- A. Always, after you slow down
- B. Only if a sign specifically permits it
- C. Never, even if a sign permits it
- D. Only between 10 PM and 6 AM
Answer: Only if a sign specifically permits it. In New York City, turning right on red is generally prohibited unless a sign at the intersection allows it.
In New York City, if no speed limit is posted, what speed limit generally applies unless another limit is posted?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: 25 mph. New York City’s default speed limit is 25 mph unless signs indicate a different limit.
In New York State, if no speed limit is posted, what is the maximum speed you may legally drive unless a different local limit applies?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 65 mph
Answer: 55 mph. New York’s driver manual states that when no speed limit is posted, you should not drive faster than 55 mph unless another local limit applies.
In New York, which BAC range is described as Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) in the driver manual?
- A. 0.01 to 0.04
- B. 0.05 to 0.07
- C. 0.08 to 0.17
- D. 0.18 and higher
Answer: 0.05 to 0.07. The New York driver manual describes DWAI as a BAC in the 0.05 to 0.07 range.
In New York, what BAC level is described as Aggravated DWI in the driver manual?
- A. 0.12 and higher
- B. 0.15 and higher
- C. 0.18 and higher
- D. 0.20 and higher
Answer: 0.18 and higher. The New York driver manual describes Aggravated DWI as a BAC of 0.18 or higher.
What is the minimum age to apply for a New York learner permit?
- A. 15
- B. 15½
- C. 16
- D. 17
Answer: 16. You must be at least 16 to apply for a learner permit in New York State.
How many questions must you answer correctly to pass the New York written test?
- A. 12 of 20, including 2 road sign questions
- B. 14 of 20, including 2 of the 4 road sign questions
- C. 15 of 20, with all 4 road sign questions correct
- D. 16 of 20, with no road sign requirement
Answer: 14 of 20, including 2 of the 4 road sign questions. You need at least 14 of 20 correct, and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be right.
What course must most New York applicants complete before scheduling a road test?
- A. Point & Insurance Reduction Program
- B. A 5-hour pre-licensing course
- C. A 10-hour defensive driving course
- D. An online alcohol awareness course
Answer: A 5-hour pre-licensing course. Most applicants must finish an approved 5-hour pre-licensing course. The Point & Insurance Reduction Program does not count.
How much supervised practice must a New York junior driver certify before the road test?
- A. 30 hours, 10 after sunset
- B. 40 hours, 10 after sunset
- C. 50 hours, 15 after sunset
- D. 60 hours, 20 after sunset
Answer: 50 hours, 15 after sunset. A parent or guardian certifies at least 50 hours of practice, with at least 15 hours after sunset, on form MV-262.
How long must a New York junior permit be held before you can take the road test?
- A. 30 days
- B. 3 months
- C. 6 months
- D. 1 year
Answer: 6 months. The permit must be held in valid status for at least six months, not counting any time it was suspended or revoked.
With a New York junior learner permit, how many passengers under 21 may ride with you (not counting immediate family)?
- A. None
- B. No more than one
- C. No more than two
- D. No more than three
Answer: No more than one. You can't carry more than one passenger under 21 unless they're immediate family or your supervisor is your parent, guardian, or a driving instructor.
Can a driver with a New York junior permit or junior license drive in New York City?
- A. Yes, with no limits
- B. Yes, but only on weekends
- C. No, junior drivers must not drive in New York City
- D. Only on expressways
Answer: No, junior drivers must not drive in New York City. Junior permit and license holders are not allowed to drive in New York City. Other regions of the state have their own time and supervision limits.
What is the minimum age for a New York Class D (senior) license?
- A. 16½
- B. 17 with no conditions
- C. 18, or 17 with a driver education certificate of completion
- D. 21
Answer: 18, or 17 with a driver education certificate of completion. Class D requires age 18, or 17 if you have a driver education Certificate of Completion. Younger drivers hold a junior license with restrictions.
If you get a texting or cell phone violation while holding a New York junior permit or license, what happens?
- A. A warning only
- B. A 60-day suspension
- C. A 120-day suspension
- D. A one-year revocation
Answer: A 120-day suspension. A texting or cell phone conviction suspends a junior permit or license, or a probationary license, for 120 days.
How many points does New York assess for using a portable electronic device (texting) while driving?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
- D. 5
Answer: 5. Texting or using a portable electronic device is a 5-point violation.
How many points does New York assess for failing to stop for a school bus?
- A. 3
- B. 4
- C. 5
- D. 8
Answer: 5. Failing to stop for a school bus is 5 points, the same as reckless driving.
In New York, when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing on the opposite side of a divided highway, what must you do?
- A. Keep going at normal speed
- B. Slow to 20 mph
- C. Stop
- D. Stop only if children are visible
Answer: Stop. You must stop for a school bus even if it's on the opposite side of a divided highway. This applies on all roadways in New York State.
When stopping for a school bus in New York, how far away from it should you stop?
- A. At least 10 feet
- B. At least 20 feet
- C. At least 50 feet
- D. At least 100 feet
Answer: At least 20 feet. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus, and don't move until it starts moving or the driver or an officer signals you on.
When must you use headlights in New York?
- A. From sunset to sunrise only
- B. From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, when visibility is under 1,000 feet, and when using wipers
- C. Only when visibility is under 500 feet
- D. Only on unlit roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, when visibility is under 1,000 feet, and when using wipers. Headlights are required from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, when visibility is under 1,000 feet, and whenever you use wipers for rain, snow, sleet, or fog. Daytime running lights don't count.
In New York, you may not park or stand within how many feet of a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: 30 feet. Parking or standing within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign is not allowed.
You may not park or stand within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection in New York?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: 20 feet. The limit is 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection, and 20 feet from a fire station driveway (75 feet on the opposite side of the road).
When railroad crossing lights are flashing or the gates are down, how far from the tracks must you stop in New York?
- A. At least 5 feet
- B. At least 10 feet
- C. At least 15 feet
- D. At least 50 feet
Answer: At least 15 feet. Stop at least 15 feet from the tracks and wait until the lights and bell stop and the gates are fully up.
What does New York's Move Over law require on a multi-lane expressway when a vehicle with flashing emergency or hazard lights is on the shoulder?
- A. Honk to warn them
- B. Reduce speed and move out of the adjacent lane if it's safe
- C. Stop behind the vehicle
- D. Only reduce speed if a trooper is present
Answer: Reduce speed and move out of the adjacent lane if it's safe. You must slow down on all roads. On parkways, interstates, and other multi-lane controlled-access roads you must also move out of the adjacent lane when it's safe.
What are New York's minimum liability insurance amounts for injury and property damage?
- A. $10,000 / $20,000 / $5,000
- B. $25,000 / $50,000 injury and $10,000 property damage
- C. $50,000 / $100,000 injury and $25,000 property damage
- D. $15,000 / $30,000 / $10,000
Answer: $25,000 / $50,000 injury and $10,000 property damage. New York requires $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for two or more, and $10,000 for property damage. Death coverage is higher: $50,000 and $100,000.
When must you report a crash to the New York DMV?
- A. Only if police respond
- B. If anyone is injured or killed, or property damage to any one person is $1,000 or more
- C. Only if damage exceeds $2,500
- D. Only if you were at fault
Answer: If anyone is injured or killed, or property damage to any one person is $1,000 or more. Report any crash with a death, personal injury, or $1,000 or more in damage to one person's property, using form MV-104.
What is the minimum penalty in New York for a driver 21 or older who refuses a chemical test?
- A. A 90-day suspension
- B. A 6-month suspension
- C. A one-year revocation
- D. A fine only
Answer: A one-year revocation. A first chemical test refusal by a driver over 21 brings at least a one-year revocation. Refusals under 21 also mean at least one year.
How many points can completing New York's Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) take off your driving record?
- A. Up to 2
- B. Up to 4
- C. Up to 6
- D. All of them
Answer: Up to 4. An approved PIRP course can reduce up to 4 points, can be taken every 18 months for point reduction, and also gives at least a 10% insurance discount.

New York Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the New York permit test?

The New York knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 14 correct answers (70%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New York?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in New York is 16. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16 years 6 months (junior license); full license at 18, or 17 with driver education.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in New York?

New York calls impaired driving DWI/DWAI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the New York driver point system work?

Points range from 2 to 11. 11 or more points in 18 months results in license suspension.

What are the default speed limits in New York?

Typical limits in New York are up to 65 mph on highways, 30 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official New York government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) on September 24, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current New York driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any New York government agency.