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  • 0 Incorrect (6 allowed to pass)
  • 0 Correct
Original questions based on the latest New YorkNY Driver Handbook • Expert-reviewed by S. Litvintchouk, M.S. (MIT), Chief Educational Researcher

Free New York DMV Permit Practice Test 2026 | NYS

Avg. pass rate on our NY tests: 58%.
Average pass rate for this test: 69%.
Easy
6 min
Score distribution:
90-100=>9%
80-89=>19%
70-79=>29%
60-69=>24%
<60%=>19%
Avg. first-try score: 70%
Perfect for:
Learner’s permit applicants
First‑time adult applicants
The New York permit test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 14 correct to pass (70%). 4 of those 20 questions are about road signs, and you must get at least 2 of the 4 sign questions right as a separate requirement - even if your overall score is above 14. The test covers road signs, signals, intersections, passing, parking, seat belts, defensive driving, DUI laws, and special driving conditions from the official 2026 NY Driver Handbook. This New York DMV practice test is current for May 2026 and matches the format of the official NYS DMV knowledge exam. To apply, you'll use the NYS DMV's 6-point ID system: bring documents totaling at least 6 points of proof, including proof of identity and date of birth (passport or birth certificate), Social Security number, and proof of NY residency. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must sign consent. Fill out form MV-44 at the office, pass a vision screening, pay the fee, and take the test. If you fail the written test, there is no mandatory waiting period - you can retake it at your next visit, and there's no extra fee. New York's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program applies to drivers under 18. You can get your learner permit at age 16 and must hold it for at least 6 months while logging 50 hours of supervised driving (including 15 hours after sunset). Junior license holders face geographic restrictions: no driving in New York City at all, limited driving on Long Island, and a nighttime curfew (9 PM-5 AM) upstate. Only 1 passenger under 21 is allowed (unless family). At 17, you can get a full Class D license if you've completed an approved driver education course. Otherwise, restrictions stay until 18. If you're 18 or older, the GDL restrictions don't apply. You must take the permit test in person at a DMV office. Applicants under 18 can take the test online from home through the DMV's pre-screening tool - after passing, visit a DMV office within a few business days to complete your application.
Free New York DMV Permit Practice Test 2026 | NYS
NY DMV driver's license
Last verified:
Tricky exam topics covered here:
No right on red (NYC)
NY cell phone ban
Safe Following Distance
Traffic Lights
Skidding & Braking
103 NY students practicing right now 103 NY students online now
•136 tests completed today statewide
Quick Facts Hardest Topics Scores NY Rules Sample Questions

New York permit test: quick facts

What to expect at the DMV

Questions
20 multiple-choice
Passing score
14 correct (70%)
Time limit
None
Fee
$80 (knowledge test)
If you fail
Retake Next business day
Supervised hours
50 hours (15 at night)
Where
Any New York DMV office (find locations)
What to bring
ID + SSN + residency proof + permit/license fee (see checklist)
Minimum age
16
Test languages
20 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Yiddish
Online testing
Yes (for under 18 only)
Ready to schedule?
Book your NY DMV appointment
Did you know?
New York is one of very few states offering the permit test in Yiddish, Hebrew, and Bengali.

Where New York test-takers struggle most

Based on 17,596 New York learners who practiced on our site in the last 30 days. 58% pass our practice tests, with an average first-try score of 70%.

41 % miss
Lane Changes & Passing

On a multi-lane road, check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn or on a one-way street with multiple lanes. On a two-lane road, pass only when the center line is broken on your side and you can see at least 500 feet of clear road ahead.

38.1 % miss
Parking

Park at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant. When parking on a hill, turn your wheels: uphill with a curb, wheels away from curb; downhill, wheels toward curb; uphill without a curb, wheels toward the road edge. Parallel parking requires positioning within 12 inches of the curb.

37 % miss
Sharing the Road

When a school bus stops with red lights flashing, ALL traffic in both directions must stop - even on a divided highway in some jurisdictions. Give cyclists at least 3 feet of clearance when passing. Yield to pedestrians in all crosswalks, marked or unmarked.

35.5 % miss
Adverse Conditions

In rain, reduce speed and increase following distance to 4-6 seconds. At the first sign of rain, roads are most slippery because oil and water mix on the surface. In fog, use low-beam headlights (never high beams). If you start to skid, steer in the direction you want to go.

33.9 % miss
Impaired & Distracted Driving

New York's BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21+. Under Leandra's Law, any DWI with a child under 16 in the vehicle is an automatic Class E felony. Texting while driving carries a $50-$450 fine plus 5 points on your record. For junior license holders, a single texting conviction triggers a 120-day suspension.

Data updated daily from our practice test results

First-try score distribution

How New York learners score on their first practice test attempt

90-100
27%
80-89
23%
70-79
23%
60-69
14%
<60
13%

New York-specific rules you must know

Rules that are unique to New York or differ from most other states

Leandra's Law

Driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 16 is an automatic felony charge - even for a first offense. Named after Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old killed by a drunk driver in 2009. **6-Point ID System.** New York uses a point-based system for document verification. Each document (birth certificate, Social Security card, utility bill) is worth a certain number of points. You need at least 6 points total - no single document is enough. **5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course.** Before taking the road test, all applicants must complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course (minimum 270 minutes). This is separate from any driver education. Adults 18+ can complete it online.

NYC Junior License restrictions

Junior license holders under 18 cannot drive in New York City (the five boroughs) unless accompanied by a licensed driving instructor. This restriction doesn't apply to the rest of the state.

30,542 practice tests completed by New York learners this month
Steven Litvintchouk, M.S., Chief Educational Researcher at Driving-Tests.org

Reviewed for legal and handbook accuracy

Steven Litvintchouk

M.S. (MIT, Columbia), Chief Educational Researcher. ACES member (Society for Editing). Verifies all 50 state tests against official handbooks weekly.

Andrei Zakhareuski, Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Test design and learning experience oversight

Andrei Zakhareuski

Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Questions are created and maintained by the Driving-Tests.org content team following our multi-layer editorial process and updated whenever the New York DMV changes its handbook or website information. Official sources we check: 

How to study for the New York permit test

  1. Start here. One of 4 free online New York tests. ~6 min. Read explanations as you go.
  2. Cover more ground. All tests have different questions - no repeats.
  3. Finish strong. Try the Exam Simulator for a full-length run.

Why this works

  • Exam-like questions from the current handbook + questions most people get wrong. Explanations cite the manual.
  • AI Assistant explains like a friend.
  • Performance Insights shows where you need work.
  • Challenge Bank™ saves your mistakes for targeted practice.

Sample New York permit test questions

6 questions written and verified by our content team against the current New York Driver Handbook

  1. Question 1 of 6

    You are driving in New York City and approach a steady red traffic light. There is no sign posted permitting turns. What should you do?

    • A. Make a right turn after stopping and yielding to traffic
    • B. Wait for the light to turn green before making any turn
    • C. Make a right turn only if no pedestrians are in the crosswalk
    • D. Treat the red light as a stop sign and proceed when clear
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - Wait for the light to turn green before making any turn

    Right turns on red are prohibited in New York City unless a sign specifically permits it. Outside NYC, drivers may turn right on red after a full stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic. This is one of the most commonly tested NYC-specific rules. (Chapter 4, "Traffic Signals," p. 30)

  2. Question 2 of 6

    Under the "Zero Tolerance Law," a driver under 21 found with a BAC of .02 to .07 will face which penalty after the first violation?

    • A. A fine of $500 and 30-day license suspension
    • B. A 6-month license suspension and $100 suspension termination fee
    • C. Immediate arrest and criminal charges
    • D. A written warning with no further action
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - A 6-month license suspension and $100 suspension termination fee

    The Zero Tolerance Law targets drivers under 21. A BAC between .02 and .07 triggers a 6-month suspension, a $100 suspension termination fee, and a $125 civil penalty. A second violation leads to revocation for one year or until age 21, whichever is longer. (Chapter 2, "Zero Tolerance," p. 20)

  3. Question 3 of 6

    For vehicles driven by someone with a Class DJ learner permit, who must use a safety restraint?

    • A. Only the driver and front-seat passengers
    • B. Every occupant, regardless of age or seating position
    • C. Only passengers under the age of 16
    • D. Only the driver
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - Every occupant, regardless of age or seating position

    When a Class DJ learner permit holder is behind the wheel, every occupant must correctly use a safety restraint, no matter their age or where they sit. The general seat belt law is less restrictive, primarily targeting front-seat occupants and passengers under 16. (Chapter 8, "Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats, and Air Bags," p. 46)

  4. Question 4 of 6

    A first offense for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving in New York carries a fine of up to how much, along with how many points on your driving record?

    • A. Up to $100 and 3 points
    • B. Up to $150 and 4 points
    • C. Up to $200 and 5 points
    • D. Up to $250 and 2 points
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C - Up to $200 and 5 points

    Holding a phone to talk, listen, or make a call while driving is a traffic infraction. A first offense brings a fine of up to $200 and 5 points on your license. A second offense carries up to $250, and a third within 18 months up to $450. Drivers with probationary or junior licenses face a 120-day suspension for a first conviction. (Chapter 8, "Using a Cellular or Mobile Telephone," p. 49)

  5. Question 5 of 6

    A 17-year-old holds a Junior License (Class DJ) and lives on Long Island (Nassau County). Between 9 PM and 5 AM, which of the following is true?

    • A. They must not drive at all
    • B. They may drive alone directly between home and employment
    • C. They may drive anywhere with any licensed adult
    • D. They may drive only with a parent in the vehicle
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - They may drive alone directly between home and employment

    Regional restrictions for Junior License holders differ by area. On Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), DJ license holders may drive alone between 9 PM and 5 AM only on direct routes between home and work, a school or college course, or farm employment. NYC is more restrictive - no driving at all during those hours. Upstate counties allow solo driving between home and employment or a school course. (Chapter 1, "Regional Restrictions for a Junior License," p. 15)

  6. Question 6 of 6

    If no speed limit is posted in New York City, what is the maximum legal speed?

    • A. 30 mph
    • B. 25 mph
    • C. 20 mph
    • D. 35 mph
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - 25 mph

    The NYC default speed limit is 25 mph unless a sign says otherwise. Outside the city, the general rule is 55 mph where no limit is posted. A police officer can ticket you for exceeding a limit even when no sign is visible, so knowing these defaults matters. (Chapter 8, "Speed," p. 45)

Verified by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S. (MIT), Chief Educational Researcher, on .

Real New York drivers who passed first try

Verified student reviews • Shared with permission

Ridiculously high-yield!
This resource is so ridiculously high-yield that I was able to pass (23/24; 95.8%) after just two days of studying with it. Worth every single penny and more; disregard it at your peril.
AA
This was a huge help.
31-year-old from NYC learning how to drive — I passed my driving test today! This was a huge help in getting me prepared for the driving test! I feel ready to tackle the road test - wish me the best with parallel parking!
AN
The practice questions covered all of the questions on my exam.
I was able to effortlessly pass my written test, confidently, because of all the practice I did online! I enjoyed using the site as it was simple and easy to navigate and with the course path I always knew what test to take next. Thanks to the challenge bank I was able to focus on the questions that ended up giving me trouble and study those ones more carefully. Cannot recommend it enough to anyone looking to get an edge in on the permit test.
SA

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