New York permit practice test
The New York DMV knowledge test has 20 questions. To pass you need 14 correct out of 20, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. This free practice test has 20 questions, like the real test, and a pass mark of 14, with 50 questions written from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21).
New York practice test
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At this sign there is no stop line and no crosswalk. Where must you stop?
With no stop line or crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection, at the nearest point that gives you a view of traffic on the cross road.
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What does the red circle with a slash on this sign tell you?
A red circle with a slash over a symbol means that action, such as a right turn, is not allowed.
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You pass this sign, but no lower speed limit is posted. What must you do?
Even when no work area speed limit is posted, you must drive at a reduced speed through the work zone and always obey the flag persons.
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What does this round yellow sign tell you?
The yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR warns of a railroad crossing ahead. Use caution and be prepared to stop.
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This sign stands at a railroad crossing that has no flashing lights. What must you do?
A crossbuck sign means yield. Look and listen for trains, and do not cross if a train is near enough or fast enough to be a danger.
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A traffic light is dark and not working when you reach the intersection, and no officer is present. What does New York law require?
When traffic lights are out of service, you must stop as you would for a stop sign and then go according to the right-of-way rules, unless a traffic officer directs you.
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You stop at a red arrow pointing right. May you turn right on red?
A red arrow means do not go in that direction until a green light or arrow comes on. A right or left turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow.
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In New York City, when may you turn right at a steady red light?
In New York City you may not turn on a red light unless a sign that permits the turn is posted.
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A steady yellow X is lit above your lane. What should you do?
Lane use control lights hang above the pavement. A steady yellow X means move from that lane; a steady red X means do not drive in it.
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Double solid lines mark the center of the road. When may you cross them?
You may not pass or change lanes across double solid lines. You may cross them only to turn left to enter or leave the highway, such as at a driveway.
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A car ahead is stopped to turn left. May you cross the edge line and use the shoulder to get around it?
You may pass on the right when a vehicle ahead is turning left, but you may not drive on or across the shoulder or edge line unless a sign or a traffic officer allows it.
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You and a driver on your right stop at stop signs at the same time. You are at right angles. Who goes first?
When two drivers stop at stop signs at the same time at right angles, or meet where no signs or signals control the intersection, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
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You are in the middle of an intersection when you hear an ambulance siren coming toward you. What should you do?
Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop for an emergency vehicle. If you are in an intersection, drive out of it before you pull over.
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In New York, a private car showing a blue light is most likely driven by whom?
Volunteer firefighters answering alarms may show blue lights on personal vehicles; volunteer ambulance and rescue members show green. You are not required to yield, but you should as a courtesy if it is safe.
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No speed limit is posted and no lower city limit applies. What is the fastest you may drive in New York State?
Where no limit is posted, you may drive no more than 55 mph. Some cities have lower limits that are not always posted.
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You are driving on a New York City street with no speed limit signs. What limit applies?
The speed limit in New York City is 25 mph unless another limit is posted.
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What is the highest speed limit that can be posted on a New York expressway in some rural areas?
The expressway speed limit is normally 55 mph, but it can be posted at 65 mph in some rural areas.
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How far ahead does New York law require you to signal a turn or lane change?
You must signal a turn or lane change at least 100 feet ahead, using your turn lights or hand signals.
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You may not make a U-turn near a hill or curve where other drivers cannot see you from how far away?
A U-turn is not allowed near the top of a hill, a curve or any place where other drivers cannot see your vehicle from 500 feet away in either direction.
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Outside New York City, when may you turn left at a steady red light after a full stop?
After a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, you may turn left on a steady red light only from a one-way road into another one-way road, unless a sign forbids it.
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When you pass on a two-way road, you must be back in the right lane before an oncoming vehicle comes within how many feet?
You may not pass on the left if you cannot safely return to the right lane before any oncoming vehicle comes within 200 feet of you.
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With no licensed driver staying in the vehicle, how close to a fire hydrant may you park in New York?
You may not park, stop or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver stays in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.
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After you parallel park, how far from the curb may your wheels be?
In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot from the curb.
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In New York, parking is not allowed within how many feet of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign?
Parking or standing is not allowed within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.
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What may you do where this sign is posted?
A NO PARKING sign lets you make a temporary stop to load or discharge merchandise or passengers. A NO STANDING sign allows a temporary stop for passengers only.
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In New York, a BAC of more than what level is legal evidence that a driver is impaired?
A BAC of more than .05 percent is legal evidence of impairment, .08 percent or higher is evidence of intoxication, and .18 percent or more is evidence of aggravated driving while intoxicated.
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Under New York's Zero Tolerance law, what is the lowest BAC that is a violation for a driver under 21?
A driver under 21 violates the Zero Tolerance law with any measurable BAC, from .02 to .07. A finding at a DMV hearing brings a six-month license suspension.
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In an ordinary car on a New York public road, who may legally hold an open container of alcohol?
It is a traffic infraction for a driver or a passenger in a motor vehicle on a public road to drink alcohol or to possess an open container of it.
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Under Leandra's Law, driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under what age can be charged as a felony?
Drivers who commit alcohol-related offenses with a child under 16 in the vehicle may be charged with a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison.
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How old must the licensed driver who supervises a New York learner permit holder be?
A permit holder must be supervised by a driver who is at least 21, holds a license valid for the vehicle and sits in the front seat.
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How much supervised practice does New York call for before a junior permit holder takes the road test?
Before the road test you should have at least 50 hours of practice, with at least 15 hours after sunset. A parent or guardian certifies this on form MV-262.
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A junior permit holder's supervising driver is not a parent, guardian or instructor. How many passengers under 21 from outside the immediate family may ride along?
With a junior learner permit you may not carry more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family, unless your supervising driver is a parent, guardian, driver education teacher or driving school instructor.
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Besides at night, New York requires headlights whenever visibility is less than how many feet?
Headlights are required from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet, and when you use your wipers for rain, snow or sleet.
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You switch on your wipers in daytime rain. Do daytime running lights meet New York's headlight requirement?
You must turn on your headlights whenever weather makes you use your windshield wipers. Daytime running lights do not qualify as headlights.
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At night, you must switch to low beams when you are within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?
Use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet of a vehicle ahead of you, even if it is in a different lane.
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Under New York law, a child must ride in a rear-facing car seat until what age, unless the child outgrows the seat's limits first?
A child must ride rear-facing until age two or until reaching the highest weight or height limit the car seat maker allows. Children under four must ride in an approved child safety seat.
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When may tires with metal studs be used in New York State?
Tires with metal studs are legal in New York State only from October 16 through April 30.
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Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. How far from the tracks must you stop?
Flashing red lights, lowered gates or a bell at a railroad crossing mean you must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks and wait until the signals stop and the gates are fully up.
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A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on the other side of a divided highway. What must you do?
When a stopped school bus flashes its red lights, traffic from both directions must stop. In New York this applies even when the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway.
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How far from a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing should you stop?
Stop before you reach the bus, at least 20 feet away. Stay stopped until the bus moves again or the bus driver or a traffic officer signals you to go.
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How does New York law require you to overtake a bicyclist riding ahead of you?
When you overtake a bicyclist from behind, you must pass on the left at a safe distance until the bicycle has been cleared. Slow down as you pass.
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You come up on a person riding a horse along the road. What does New York law forbid?
Approach a horse at a careful speed and distance. It is illegal to sound your horn when you approach or pass a horse.
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On a multi-lane expressway, a police car is stopped on the shoulder with its emergency lights on. What does the Move Over Law require?
Drivers must slow down for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles on all roads. On parkways, interstates and other controlled-access roads with multiple lanes, they must also move out of the adjacent lane unless it is unsafe.
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Your car goes into deep water and is still floating. What is the best way out?
A vehicle usually floats for a while. Release your seat belt and escape through a window, because an open door lets water rush in and the car could turn over.
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Your gas pedal sticks and you cannot free it with your shoe. What should you do?
If you cannot free the pedal, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow down and get off the road. Turning off the ignition could cost you steering control or lock the wheel.
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Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. After everyone gets out, which way should you run?
Run toward the direction the train is coming from, but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. Running the same way as the train can get you hit by debris.
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How many points within 24 months will cause the DMV to suspend a New York driver license?
If you get 11 or more points within 24 months, the DMV will notify you by mail that your license will be suspended. Points count from the date of the violation.
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What can a first offense for talking on a hand-held phone while driving cost a New York driver?
Speaking into or listening to a hand-held mobile phone while driving is a traffic infraction. A first offense can bring a fine up to $200 and five license points.
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A driver with a junior license is convicted of texting while driving. What happens to the license?
A junior permit, license or driving privilege is suspended for 120 days after a conviction for a texting or cell phone violation.
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What happens to the ticket fine when you are caught speeding in a New York work zone?
Fines for speeding in a work zone are doubled, even when workers or work vehicles are not there.
Questions to review
The real New York test at a glance
- Questions
- 20
- Correct answers to pass
- 1414 correct out of 20, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions
- Minimum permit age
- 16 years
- Handbook
- PDF dated April 20, 2026New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21)
Sources: dmv.ny.gov · dmv.ny.gov · dmv.ny.gov · New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). Checked November 15, 2026.
What these 50 questions cover
Every question is tied to a page of the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). After each answer you see the rule and the page.
The real test. At least two of the four road-sign questions must be answered correctly; the test can be taken on a touch-screen test station or on paper, and applicants under 18 have the option to take it online.
- Safe driving6
- Road signs5
- Sharing the road5
- Traffic signals4
- Turning and passing4
- Parking4
- Alcohol and drugs4
- Penalties4
- Right-of-way3
- Speed limits3
- Permit and license rules3
- Emergencies3
- Pavement markings2
New York permit test questions
How many questions are on the New York permit test?
What score do you need to pass the New York permit test?
How old do you have to be to get a permit in New York?
Are these the real New York test questions?
- What it is
- Practice questions for the New York DMV knowledge test, with the same length.
- What it is not
- Not the official test and not the real test questions. Not affiliated with the New York DMV.
- Source
- New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), PDF dated April 20, 2026
- Source checked
- November 15, 2026
- Made by
- The Appcellent team
- Updated
- November 2026