Frequently Asked Questions

You must be at least 16 years old in order to apply for a New York driver’s license. If you meet the age requirement, then you must first:

• Apply for a learners permit at a local DMV office.
• Pass the written exam or take a driver’s education course.
• Hold your permit for six months and drive with a supervisor for at least 50 hours.

Once you have met these qualifications, then you can:

• Complete and submit an Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44) to the DMV.
• Provide proof of your identity and age.
• Take the road skills exam.

Keep in mind that you must show proof of passing a pre-licensing course or a driver’s ed class in order to take the driving test and obtain your license.

Once you have a learner permit, you must

• obey the learner permit restrictions on where and when you may drive
• complete a 5-hour Pre-licensing Course or a high school or college Driver Education Course
• get an appropriate amount of supervised driving practice
• if you are under age 18, you must wait at least six months from the date you received your learner permit to schedule your road test

It is a DMV-approved, standardized classroom course that provides knowledge you will need as a new driver.  The course covers many important topics, including

• driving within the highway transportation system
• driver habits and skills
• feelings, attitudes and risk taking
• alcohol, other drugs and driving

You can find the course curriculum and other information in the Pre-Licensing Course Instructor’s Manual (MV-277).

The Pre-licensing Course is available through high schools, colleges, and many driving schools.  To find providers in your area, look online or in your telephone directory for Driving Instruction.

When you successfully complete the course, you will be given a Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278). If you complete a high school or college driver education course, you will receive a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285), and you do not need a Pre-licensing Course Certificate. You must have one of these certificates to schedule your road test. You must bring the original certificate to your road test to turn in to the license examiner.

Your certificate must be valid on the date that you make your Road Test appointment, but can be expired on the date you take your road test.

If you are under age 18, before you take your road test you must

• have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving with
• at least 15 hours at night (after sunset)
• at least 10 hours in moderate to heavy traffic
• bring to the road test a Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262) completed by your parent or guardian to certify that you have had the required hours of supervised practice driving (you must give the MV-262 to the license examiner each time you take a road test)

We recommend that all drivers of all ages have this amount and type of practice. We also recommend that you take a driver education course or professional driving lessons.

• Steering: Steer smoothly whether you are driving straight ahead, turning or backing up.
• Acceleration: Accelerate smoothly and moderately. Don’t race the engine or cause it to stall.
• Braking: Bring the vehicle to a stop gently. Start braking well before your stopping position to avoid abrupt stops. Make sure you stop your vehicle in the proper position of the lane.
• Clutch/Gears: Always be sure your vehicle is in the correct gear. With either an automatic or a manual transmission, shift into the proper gear at the right time without grinding the gears.
• Speed: Obey the posted speed limit, of course, but also adjust your speed properly due to weather, road, visibility and traffic conditions.
• Following distance: Keep an adequate space cushion between your vehicle and those you are following. Use the two second rule described in the Driver’s Manual. Be sure to increase your following distance in poor weather or visibility.
• Traffic signs, signals and markings: Know the meanings of signs, signals and pavement markings, and obey them consistently.
• Stopping position: If a stop is required, stop your vehicle before it reaches an intersecting street. If stop lines or crosswalks are present, stop before crossing them. If your view is blocked after stopping behind the crosswalk, move up until you can clearly see your way, then stop again if necessary.
• Lane selection and position: Keep your vehicle in the proper traffic lane, especially when preparing to make turns. Don’t allow room for another vehicle to pass you on the side that you are turning toward.
• Communication: Let other drivers and pedestrians know which way you want to go. Use your directional signals or horn consistently and at the proper times.
• Observation: Look for and identify potential problems or hazards in the traffic around you not just straight ahead, but behind you and on either side. Check your mirrors frequently, but be sure to look over your shoulder behind you when changing lanes or backing up.
• Anticipate and react: Anticipate possible driving errors by others and be ready to react safely to make up for their mistakes.

In order to get your driving license, you will need to provide the following while at the New York Department of Motor Vehicles office:

• Proof of age
• Proof of identity
• A completed Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44)

You will be able to schedule your next road skills exam for a New York driver’s license as long as you pay the additional fees (if you failed your first two attempts) and wait at least one day after failing a test to schedule your next attempt.