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New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

New York permit test pass twice in one test

The NYS DMV permit test is short, just 20 questions, but it has two pass conditions. You need 14 correct overall and 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. The permit rules also differ depending on whether you live upstate, on Long Island or in the five boroughs. This page covers both, plus a practice test from the MV-21 manual.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · NYS Driver's Manual MV-21 (downloaded October 30, 2026; edition date not printed)

Condition 1

14 / 20

overall

Condition 2

2 / 4

road-sign questions

How to take the test

At a DMV office

Bring a completed MV-44 application, proof of name and date of birth under the six-point ID system (see ID-44), and your Social Security number. Pass the vision test, which requires 20/40 in at least one eye. Then take the test on a touch screen or on paper. Class D tests come in several languages. Pay the fee, which depends on your age and birth date (the manual doesn't list amounts), and you'll get your permit.

At school, through OKTA

If your high school participates, you can take the Online Knowledge Test Application there, starting at 15 years 11 months, in English or Spanish. You can retake it as often as your school allows.

The test covers rules of the road, safe driving, road signs, and alcohol and drug laws.

NY DMV practice test

Scored at 70%. Our engine can't apply the separate sign-question rule, so also take the road signs test to cover that part.

Free quiz · no sign-up

New York DMV permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
70%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. How many questions are on the New York written permit test?

    • 15
    • 20
    • 25
    • 50

  2. What is the minimum number of correct answers to pass?

    • 12
    • 14
    • 15
    • 16

  3. Of the four road-sign questions, how many must you get right?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4

  4. What is the vision standard?

    • 20/40 in both eyes
    • 20/40 in at least one eye
    • 20/30
    • 20/50

  5. Where does the OKTA program let students take the test?

    • At home
    • At participating high schools
    • At libraries
    • By mail

  6. At what age can students use OKTA?

    • 15
    • 15 years 6 months
    • 15 years 11 months
    • 16

  7. What is the minimum age for a junior learner permit (Class DJ)?

    • 15
    • 15½
    • 16
    • 17

  8. How long must you hold a junior permit before the road test?

    • 3 months
    • 6 months
    • 9 months
    • 1 year

  9. How many practice hours are certified on form MV-262?

    • 30
    • 40
    • 50
    • 65

  10. How many of those hours must be after sunset?

    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20

  11. How long is the required Pre-Licensing Course?

    • 3 hours
    • 5 hours
    • 6 hours
    • 8 hours

  12. What is the minimum age for a supervising driver?

    • 18
    • 19
    • 21
    • 25

  13. When may an upstate junior permit holder drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.?

    • Never
    • With any licensed adult
    • Only with a parent, guardian, driver ed teacher or instructor 21+
    • Only on weekends

  14. In New York City, when may a junior permit holder drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.?

    • With a parent
    • With an instructor
    • Not at all
    • On expressways only

  15. In NYC, what does junior permit practice require?

    • A dual-control vehicle
    • An SUV
    • A rear camera
    • An automatic transmission

  16. Who may sit in the front seat with a junior permit driver?

    • Any passenger
    • Only the supervising driver
    • A sibling
    • Nobody

  17. If no speed limit is posted, what is New York's maximum?

    • 45 mph
    • 50 mph
    • 55 mph
    • 65 mph

  18. What happens to a 19-year-old with a BAC of .03?

    • Nothing
    • A Zero Tolerance 6-month suspension
    • A DWI charge
    • Only a warning

  19. How many points for texting while driving?

    • 2
    • 3
    • 5
    • 8

  20. What is the maximum first-offense fine for hand-held phone use?

    • $50
    • $100
    • $200
    • $500

  21. When may you hold a phone while driving?

    • To read a text
    • To activate, begin or end a call
    • To navigate
    • To take a photo

  22. On an interstate, you approach a stopped tow truck with amber lights. You must:

    • Just honk
    • Slow down, and move out of the adjacent lane if safe
    • Stop
    • Speed up

  23. How many points for failing to stop for a school bus?

    • 3
    • 5
    • 6
    • 8

  24. Driving an uninsured vehicle results in revocation of at least:

    • 30 days
    • 6 months
    • 1 year
    • 3 years

  25. What is the minimum age for a Class D license with a driver ed certificate?

    • 16
    • 16½
    • 17
    • 18

Junior permit rules depend on where you drive

Junior learner permits (Class DJ) start at 16. Your supervisor must be 21+ and licensed for the vehicle, and only the supervisor may sit in front. When and where you can practice depends on the region. The full chart is in brochure MV-500H.

Region5 a.m.–9 p.m.9 p.m.–5 a.m.
UpstateAny licensed supervisor 21+Only a parent, guardian, someone in loco parentis, or a driver ed teacher or instructor
New York City (5 boroughs)Only with a parent, guardian, teacher or instructor, in a dual-control vehicleNo driving

You also can't practice in DMV road test areas or on certain roads, such as NYC park streets and TBTA bridges and tunnels.

From permit to license

  1. Hold the junior permit at least 6 months.
  2. Log 50 hours, at least 15 after sunset, on MV-262. The manual recommends 10 in moderate or heavy traffic.
  3. Complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course (MV-278), in person or online.
  4. Book the road test through the online Road Test Scheduling System or by phone. The examiner needs a working passenger-side seat belt.

A Class D license comes at 18, or at 17 with a driver ed Certificate of Completion. The manual we read didn't include the junior license (post-road-test) limits, so we don't summarize them here.

Points and penalties

Texting (portable electronic device)5 points
Hand-held phone call5 points, up to $200 for a first offense. You may hold the phone only to activate, begin or end a call.
Failing to stop for a school bus5 points
Driving uninsuredRevocation of at least 1 year
Chemical test refusal under 21 (first time)Revocation of at least 1 year

Alcohol, speed and Move Over

Zero Tolerance: a driver under 21 at .02–.07 gets a 6-month suspension, and a second violation means a year or until 21. DWI starts at .08. If no limit is posted, the maximum is 55 mph, though some cities are lower. The Move Over Law requires slowing down on every road for emergency and hazard vehicles with lights. On parkways, interstates and controlled-access multilane roads, you also move out of the adjacent lane.

The manual doesn't list permit fees, the full set of test languages, or whether offices take walk-ins for permit tests.

Neighbors

New Jersey (50 questions) · Pennsylvania · Connecticut · Massachusetts · Vermont

New York DMV permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the New York permit test?

20. You need at least 14 correct (70%), and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions must be right.

Can I fail the NY permit test even if I get 14 right?

Yes. If you miss three or four of the four road-sign questions, you fail even with 14 or more correct overall.

Can I take the New York permit test online?

Only through OKTA, the Online Knowledge Test Application, at participating high schools. It's for students at least 15 years 11 months old, in English or Spanish, and you can retake it as often as your school allows.

How much is a New York learner permit?

The manual says the fee depends on your age and date of birth, and doesn't list amounts. Check the DMV fee calculator.

Can I practice driving in NYC with a junior permit?

Only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a parent, guardian, driving teacher or instructor, in a dual-control vehicle. There's no driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at all.

What is the 5-hour course?

Most new drivers must complete the approved Pre-Licensing Course (certificate MV-278) before the road test. An online version is available.

Keep studying

Sources: NYS Driver's Manual MV-21 (PDF); MV-500H; dmv.ny.gov. Not affiliated with the NYS DMV.