Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
All Practice Exams

100+ Free NY DMV Permit Test Practice Questions

Pass your New York Driver License Written Knowledge Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

When may a New York junior license holder drive unsupervised in Nassau or Suffolk County (Long Island)?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NY DMV Permit Test Exam

20

Multiple-Choice Questions

NY DMV

70% (14/20)

Passing Score

NY DMV

2 of 4

Road-Sign Questions Required

NY DMV

25 mph

NYC Default Speed Limit

New York State Driver's Manual

The New York DMV written knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions and requires a 70% score, which is 14 correct answers. Four questions cover road signs, and you must get at least 2 of those 4 right. The test fee is built into the Class D learner permit fee, roughly $64 to $108 depending on your age and county. All questions come from the New York State Driver's Manual. There is no fixed time limit, and you may retest if you do not pass.

Sample NY DMV Permit Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NY DMV Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many questions are on the New York DMV written knowledge test, and how many must you answer correctly to pass?
A.30 questions; pass with 24 correct
B.20 questions; pass with 14 correct
C.25 questions; pass with 20 correct
D.20 questions; pass with 18 correct
Explanation: The New York written knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 14 correctly to reach the 70% passing score. Four of the 20 questions deal with road signs, and you must answer at least 2 of those 4 correctly. The test is based on the New York State Driver's Manual.
2On the New York written test, what is the special rule that applies to the four road-sign questions?
A.All four road-sign questions must be answered correctly
B.Road-sign questions are optional and do not count toward the score
C.At least two of the four road-sign questions must be answered correctly
D.Three of the four road-sign questions must be answered correctly
Explanation: In addition to scoring 70% overall (14 of 20), you must answer at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correctly to pass. This separate requirement ensures every new driver can recognize basic traffic signs. Missing 3 or more sign questions results in a fail even if your total is otherwise above 70%.
3Which agency administers the driver license written knowledge test in New York?
A.The New York State Police
B.The New York Department of Transportation
C.The New York Department of Motor Vehicles
D.The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Explanation: The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers the written knowledge test and issues learner permits and driver licenses. The test is based on the official New York State Driver's Manual published by the DMV.
4What is the minimum age to apply for a learner permit for a Class D (passenger car) license in New York?
A.14 years old
B.15 years old
C.16 years old
D.18 years old
Explanation: You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Class D learner permit in New York. Applicants who are 16 or 17 receive a junior permit and, once they qualify, a junior (Class DJ) license with extra restrictions.
5While driving with a New York learner permit, who must be in the vehicle with you?
A.A supervising driver age 21 or older with a valid license for that vehicle class
B.Any licensed driver age 18 or older
C.No one, as long as you stay off highways
D.A certified driving instructor only
Explanation: A learner permit holder must always be supervised by a driver who is at least 21 years old and holds a valid license for the type of vehicle being driven. The supervising driver must sit beside the permit holder. This rule applies every time the permit holder is behind the wheel.
6Under New York's graduated license law, how many hours of supervised driving practice must a junior permit holder complete before the road test, and how many of those must be at night?
A.30 hours total, with 5 hours after sunset
B.50 hours total, with 15 hours after sunset
C.40 hours total, with 10 hours after sunset
D.60 hours total, with 20 hours after sunset
Explanation: New York requires junior permit holders to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including a minimum of 15 hours after sunset, before taking the road test. The supervising driver certifies these hours on form MV-262. Night practice builds skill for lower-visibility conditions.
7A driver with a New York junior (Class DJ) license wants to drive in any of the five boroughs of New York City. What does the law allow?
A.Driving in NYC is allowed only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
B.Driving in NYC is allowed if a parent is in the vehicle
C.A junior license holder may never drive in New York City
D.Driving in NYC is allowed for trips to school or work
Explanation: A junior license (Class DJ or MJ) holder may not drive within the five boroughs of New York City under any circumstances. This restriction applies regardless of the time of day or who else is in the vehicle. The restriction is lifted only when the driver upgrades to a senior (Class D) license.
8When may a New York junior license holder drive unsupervised in Nassau or Suffolk County (Long Island)?
A.Anytime, with no restrictions
B.Only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., generally for trips directly to and from home, work, or an approved education program
C.Only between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
D.Never; supervision is always required on Long Island
Explanation: On Long Island, a junior license holder may drive unsupervised only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and generally only for direct trips to and from home, employment, or a state-approved work-study or post-secondary program. Outside those hours and purposes, a supervising driver age 21 or older is required.
9A 17-year-old with a New York junior license is driving upstate without a supervising driver. How many passengers under age 21 who are not immediate family may be in the vehicle?
A.No more than one
B.No more than two
C.No more than three
D.There is no passenger limit
Explanation: When a junior license holder drives without a supervising driver, no more than one passenger under age 21 may be in the vehicle unless the additional passengers are immediate family members. This rule reduces the distraction and crash risk associated with teen passengers.
10How long is a New York learner permit or driver license generally valid before renewal?
A.Two years
B.Three years
C.Five years
D.Ten years
Explanation: A New York learner permit or driver license is generally issued for a period of about five years. The exact expiration is printed on the document, and the DMV sends a renewal notice before it expires. Driving on an expired license is a violation.

About the NY DMV Permit Test Exam

The New York DMV written knowledge test is the exam you must pass to earn a Class D learner permit and begin driving in New York. It has 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the New York State Driver's Manual, covering road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way, speed limits, impaired driving, and safe-driving practices. You must answer at least 14 of the 20 questions correctly, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions, to pass. The test is taken at a state or county DMV office.

Questions

20 scored questions

Time Limit

No fixed time limit

Passing Score

70% (14 of 20)

Exam Fee

Included in the learner permit fee, roughly $64-$108 depending on age and county (New York Department of Motor Vehicles)

NY DMV Permit Test Exam Content Outline

4 of 20 questions

Road Signs

Identifying regulatory, warning, guide, and work-zone signs by shape and color; at least 2 of these 4 questions must be correct

Core topic

Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings

Meanings of red, yellow, green, and flashing signals, green and yellow arrows, and yellow and white lane markings

Core topic

Right-of-Way and Intersections

Yielding at intersections and crosswalks, four-way stops, school buses, emergency vehicles, and New York's Move Over Law

Core topic

Speed Limits and Lane Use

New York City's 25 mph default limit, the 55 mph statewide unposted maximum, work-zone fines, passing, merging, and roundabouts

Core topic

Alcohol, Drugs, and Impaired Driving

New York's 0.08% DWI limit, the 0.02% Zero Tolerance limit for drivers under 21, implied consent, and chemical-test refusal penalties

Core topic

Licensing and Safe Driving

Graduated license law, junior-license restrictions in NYC and on Long Island, adverse conditions, and crash procedures

How to Pass the NY DMV Permit Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (14 of 20)
  • Exam length: 20 questions
  • Time limit: No fixed time limit
  • Exam fee: Included in the learner permit fee, roughly $64-$108 depending on age and county

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NY DMV Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the entire New York State Driver's Manual at least once - every test question is drawn directly from it
2Master road signs by shape and color, since you must answer at least 2 of the 4 sign questions correctly to pass
3Memorize the key New York numbers: 25 mph NYC default limit, 55 mph statewide unposted limit, 0.08% DWI limit, and the 0.02% Zero Tolerance limit for drivers under 21
4Learn the graduated license rules, including the 50 hours of supervised practice (15 at night) and the junior-license restrictions in NYC and on Long Island
5Take timed practice tests until you consistently score 85% or higher, which gives you a comfortable buffer above the 70% pass mark

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the New York DMV permit test?

The New York DMV written knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 14 correctly to reach the 70% passing score. Four of the 20 questions cover road signs, and you must get at least 2 of those 4 right.

What is the passing score for the NY permit test?

You need 70% to pass, which means 14 of the 20 questions correct. In addition, you must answer at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correctly. Missing 3 or more road-sign questions results in a fail even if your overall total is above 70%.

How much does it cost to get a New York learner permit?

There is no separate fee for the written test itself; it is included in the Class D learner permit fee. The permit fee is roughly $64 to $108 depending on your age and whether you live in a county with the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge. The fee covers the permit, the written test, and the road tests.

Is there a time limit on the New York written test?

The New York DMV written knowledge test does not have a strict published time limit; you take it at a DMV office and work through the 20 questions at a reasonable pace. Focus on reading each question carefully rather than rushing.

What study material does the New York permit test come from?

Every question on the test is based on the New York State Driver's Manual, published by the New York DMV. The manual covers road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way, speed limits, impaired-driving laws, and safe-driving practices. It is available free on the DMV website.

What happens if I fail the New York permit test?

If you do not score at least 14 of 20, you can retake the written test. Many DMV offices allow you to retest after a short wait. Review the New York State Driver's Manual and practice questions, especially road signs, before trying again.

Can a junior license holder drive in New York City?

No. A New York junior license (Class DJ or MJ) holder may not drive within the five boroughs of New York City under any circumstances, regardless of the time or who is in the vehicle. Junior drivers also face time and passenger restrictions elsewhere in the state, including on Long Island.