The New York permit test, explained
The short answer
The New York written permit test has 20 questions. You need at least 14 right, and 2 of them must be among the 4 road sign questions. New York residents can apply for a learner permit from age 16, and applicants under 18 can take the test online.
Source: New York State Driver’s Manual (MV-21), New York State DMV
The sign questions are a test of their own inside the test, and a junior permit comes with rules that change between upstate, Long Island and New York City.
This text was written with AI help, checked against the New York State DMV’s pages and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .
Checked against the New York State DMV · Report a mistake
Drivoku is not connected to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Every fact below links to the DMV page or manual it comes from, checked on November 3, 2026.
The New York permit test at a glance
| Minimum age | 16 (DMV) |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20, including 4 on road signs (Driver’s Manual) |
| Passing score | 14 of 20, with at least 2 of the 4 sign questions right (Driver’s Manual) |
| Where | A DMV office, or online if you are under 18 (DMV) |
| Languages | 20, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Russian and Yiddish (DMV) |
| Supervisor | A licensed driver aged 21 or older; under 18, who that may be and when depends on where you drive (DMV) |
| Before the road test | A registered pre-licensing course (DMV) |
How many questions are on the New York permit test?
Twenty. To pass, you must get at least 14 right, and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be among them (New York State Driver’s Manual, MV-21). So you can miss up to 6 questions, but missing 3 of the 4 sign questions fails the test however well you do on the rest. Learn the US road signs until you know them on sight.
Can you take the New York permit test online?
If you are under 18, yes. The DMV says applicants under 18 can take the permit test online after completing its pre-screening tool, which also builds your application and document list. After you pass, the DMV needs three business days to review your results and documents. If you go to an office before those three days are up, you have to take the test again there (DMV: prepare for and take your permit test).
What to bring
The DMV’s pre-screening tool tells you which documents you need; the learner permit page links to it and to the fee chart. The documents and the fee depend on your situation, so use the tool rather than a general list.
Where and when a junior permit holder may drive
New York, like every state, uses graduated driver licensing. Under 18, where you are matters (DMV: learner permit restrictions):
- Upstate: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a supervising driver; 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. only with a parent, guardian or other qualifying adult.
- New York City (the five boroughs): no driving at all between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. In the daytime the car must have dual controls (dual brakes).
- Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk): no driving at all between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Everywhere: your supervising driver is the only person in the front seat, everyone wears a seat belt, and you may carry at most one passenger under 21 who is not family, unless your supervisor is a parent, guardian or driving instructor.
What Drivoku covers for New York
Our free permit practice test and the questions below cover road rules and signs that apply in every state, and our sign questions follow the national sign manual that New York’s signs follow too. They do not cover New York’s own laws, such as the junior permit rules above. Read the New York State Driver’s Manual, which also has practice tests.
Practice five questions every state shares
Five shared road rules
Answer one question at a time. You see the answer and the reason after each one. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.
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Right-of-way
At a marked crosswalk with no traffic signals, a pedestrian is already crossing in your lane. You have enough distance to stop safely. Which action gives the pedestrian the right-of-way?
- Continue because your road has no stop sign
- Sound your horn and keep your current speed
- Stop and let the pedestrian cross Right
- Steer into the next lane to pass the pedestrian
The right answer is C: Stop and let the pedestrian cross
WhyDrivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in their path within an unsignalized crosswalk.
Source: UVC § 11-502(a) Pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks (model law)
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Intersections and turns
You plan to turn onto a one-way street. Its permitted traffic direction runs from your left to your right. There are no other turn restrictions. Which turn follows that street's legal direction?
- A left turn across the near side of the street
- Either turn if the destination street is empty
- A left turn followed by an immediate lane change
- A right turn Right
The right answer is D: A right turn
WhyEnter a one-way street only in its designated direction of travel.
Source: UVC § 11-308(b) One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands (model law)
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Traffic signals
A steady yellow left-turn arrow is showing. What does it tell you?
- The left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop Right
- You now have the right-of-way to turn
- Left turns are now forbidden
- The arrow is about to turn green
The right answer is A: The left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop
WhyA steady yellow arrow warns that the current left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop.
Source: MUTCD Section 4A.03 Meanings of Steady Vehicular Signal Indications
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Signs
A green rectangular sign has white lettering reading CIVIC CENTER and a white arrow pointing right. What information does it provide?
- A requirement for every vehicle to turn right
- A warning that the road bends sharply right
- Permission to turn right without checking traffic
- Directions to the civic center Right
The right answer is D: Directions to the civic center
WhyGreen guide signs provide direction guidance to destinations.
Source: MUTCD Section 1D.05 Color Code
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Pavement markings
A white arrow painted in your lane curves left. What does it tell you?
- Left turns are forbidden here
- This lane is for left turns Right
- The road curves left up ahead
- You may turn left or go straight
The right answer is B: This lane is for left turns
WhyA lane-use arrow shows the movements allowed or required in that lane.
Topics to review
- Signs
- Traffic signals
- Pavement markings
- Intersections and turns
- Right-of-way
- Sharing the road
- Alcohol and drugs
- Speed and space
- Seat belts and child safety
- Night and bad weather
- Distraction
- Emergencies
- Lanes
- Passing
- Highways
- Regulatory signs
- Warning signs
- Guide and service signs
- Pavement markings
- Emergency vehicles and crashes
- Learner and provisional licenses
- Driver education
- Seat belts and child seats
- Alcohol and DWI
- Parking
- Speed limits
- Sharing the road
- Headlights
- Insurance
- Phones and distraction
Your topics
- SignsKnow it
- Learner and provisional licensesOn the way
- Right-of-wayStamped
In the app, questions you miss come back until you get them right. 5 questions a day are free.
45 free questions on this website and 379 in the app, checked against the MUTCD, the Uniform Vehicle Code and Texas law, with the reason for every answer. About the app
Out now on iPhone and Android.
Then try the road signs quiz for the sign part and the 25-question permit practice test. Other states: permit test by state.
Common questions
How many questions can you miss on the New York permit test?
Up to 6 of the 20, as long as at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions are right.
Can you take the New York permit test online?
Yes, if you are under 18. You first complete the DMV’s pre-screening tool. After you pass, the DMV needs three business days to review your results before you visit an office.
How old do you have to be to get a learner permit in New York?
New York residents can apply from age 16.
Can a junior permit holder drive in New York City at night?
No. Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. a junior permit holder may not drive in the five boroughs under any circumstances. The same applies in Nassau and Suffolk counties.