Information for Drivers and Vehicle Owners +3New York · Driving · English

To drive legally in New York State, you must have a valid driver license. If you move to New York, you are required to surrender your out-of-state license and obtain a NYS license within 30 days of establishing residency. It is illegal to hold a valid NYS license and a license from another state simultaneously. Forging or altering any motor vehicle document, including a license, is a crime that can lead to license revocation, fines, or imprisonment.

• ✓New residents must obtain a New York State driver license within 30 days of becoming a permanent resident.
• ✓It is illegal to hold a driver license from New York State and another state at the same time.
• ✓Individuals under the age of 16 cannot drive in New York State, even if they are licensed in another state.

The DMV written knowledge test is required to get a Learner Permit. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions covering road rules, safe driving techniques, road signs, and laws on alcohol and drugs. A passing score is 70%, which means you must answer at least 14 questions correctly. There is a special requirement for road sign questions.

• ✓To pass the written test, you must correctly answer at least 14 of the 20 questions.
• ✓You must correctly answer a minimum of two out of the four questions about road signs to pass, regardless of your total score.

When driving with a Learner Permit, you must be accompanied by a supervising driver. This person must be at least 21 years old and hold a license that is valid for the type of vehicle you are driving (e.g., a person with a motorcycle license supervising a motorcycle learner). The supervising driver must be seated in the front passenger seat.

• ✓A Learner Permit holder must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
• ✓The supervising driver must be seated in the front seat next to the permit holder.
• ✓Driving with a learner permit is prohibited in a DMV road test area.

Drivers with a Junior Learner Permit (Class DJ) face specific restrictions based on the time of day and region of the state. In New York City (the 5 boroughs) and Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk counties), driving is prohibited between 9 PM and 5 AM. In Upstate New York, driving between 9 PM and 5 AM is only allowed under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or driving instructor. Supervision rules also vary by region during daytime hours.

• ✓In New York City and Long Island, a Junior Learner Permit holder may not drive between the hours of 9 PM and 5 AM.
• ✓In Upstate New York between 5 AM and 9 PM, a Junior Learner Permit holder can be supervised by any licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
• ✓In New York City between 5 AM and 9 PM, a Junior Learner Permit holder must be supervised by a parent, guardian, person 'in loco parentis', or a driving/driver education instructor.

Under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, there are strict passenger rules for drivers with a Junior Learner Permit. The supervising driver is the only person allowed in the front seat. There are also limits on the number of young passengers in the vehicle.

• ✓When driving with a Junior Learner Permit, the only passenger allowed in the front seat is your supervising driver.
• ✓A Junior Learner Permit holder cannot drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family.
• ✓You and every passenger must wear a seat belt, and all children must use a proper child restraint.

New York State issues several classes of non-commercial licenses. The most common is the Class D Operator license, for drivers age 18 and older (or 17 with a driver education certificate), which permits driving vehicles up to 26,000 pounds. For drivers under 18, the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system provides a Class DJ Junior Operator license, which has significant restrictions on when, where, and with whom the holder can drive. The minimum age for a Class DJ license is 16.

• ✓A Class D license is the standard license for drivers 18 and over, allowing operation of most passenger vehicles.
• ✓A Class DJ Junior Operator license is for drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 and comes with specific GDL restrictions.
• ✓The minimum age to obtain a Class D license is 18, but it can be obtained at 17 if the applicant has completed a driver education course.
• ✓The minimum age to obtain a Class DJ license is 16.

To obtain a Learner Permit, all applicants must pass a vision test and a written knowledge test. The vision test requires a minimum of 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. The knowledge test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, safe driving techniques, road signs, and laws regarding alcohol and drugs. A passing score is 14 out of 20 correct answers, but with a critical condition: you must correctly answer at least two of the four questions about road signs to pass, regardless of your overall score.

• ✓To pass the knowledge test, you must answer at least 14 out of 20 questions correctly.
• ✓You must correctly answer a minimum of two out of the four questions about road signs to pass the knowledge test.
• ✓The vision test requires at least 20/40 vision in one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

All drivers with a Learner Permit, regardless of age, must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and holds a license valid for the type of vehicle being driven. This supervising driver must always be seated in the front passenger seat. There are also specific locations where permit holders are forbidden from practicing, including any DMV road test area, any street within a park in New York City, and certain parkways in Westchester County.

• ✓A Learner Permit holder must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
• ✓The supervising driver must be seated in the front passenger seat at all times.
• ✓Driving is prohibited in any DMV road test area with a Learner Permit.
• ✓Permit holders may not drive on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.

For drivers with a Junior Learner Permit (Class DJ), specific passenger rules apply to enhance safety. The only passenger allowed in the front seat is the supervising driver. In the back seat, you cannot drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family. This passenger restriction is waived if your supervising driver is your parent, guardian, or driving instructor. All occupants, including the driver, must wear a seat belt.

• ✓For a Junior Learner Permit holder, the only person allowed in the front seat is the supervising driver.
• ✓A Junior Permit holder cannot drive with more than one passenger under 21 unless they are immediate family members.
• ✓The under-21 passenger restriction does not apply if the supervising driver is a parent, guardian, or driving instructor.
• ✓Every occupant in a vehicle operated by a Junior Permit holder must wear a seat belt.

New York State issues several classes of non-commercial licenses. The most common is the Class D (Operator) license for drivers age 18 and older (or 17 with driver education). The Class DJ (Junior Operator) license is for drivers who are at least 16 years old and comes with significant restrictions. Other classes include Class M/MJ for motorcycles and Class E for taxis/liveries.

• ✓A Class D Operator license is for drivers age 18 or older, or 17 with a driver education Certificate of Completion.
• ✓A Class DJ Junior Operator license is for drivers who are at least 16 years old.
• ✓A Class M or MJ license is required to operate a motorcycle.

Before you can schedule your road test, you must meet certain practice and educational requirements. The DMV recommends significant supervised practice, including at night and in traffic. Additionally, all applicants must complete a mandatory safe driving course.

• ✓You must complete an approved 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course before you can make an appointment for a road test.
• ✓It is recommended that you have at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, with at least 15 of those hours after sunset, before your road test.
• ✓The Point & Insurance Reduction Program (Defensive Driving Course) does NOT satisfy the 5-hour Pre-Licensing course requirement.

A driver with a Junior License (Class DJ) can become eligible for a full Senior License (Class D) at age 17 by completing a state-approved driver education course. This removes the restrictions associated with the Junior License. Without this upgrade, the restrictions remain in effect until the driver turns 18.

• ✓At age 17, you are eligible for a Senior License (Class D) if you have a Junior License and have completed a state-approved high school or college driver education course.
• ✓To upgrade your license at age 17, you must bring your Junior License and the Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) to a DMV office.
• ✓If you do not officially upgrade your Junior License, you remain subject to all junior driver restrictions until you turn 18.

A railroad grade crossing is an intersection where a roadway crosses train tracks. Drivers must always approach with caution, expect a train at any time, and be prepared to stop. It is illegal and extremely dangerous to drive around lowered gates or to proceed before warning signals have stopped.

• ✓When approaching a railroad crossing with active warning signals (flashing red lights, lowered gates, or a bell), you must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks.
• ✓Never stop your vehicle on the railroad tracks for any reason. Ensure you have enough room to clear the tracks completely before crossing.
• ✓School buses, buses with passengers, and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable cargo must stop at all railroad crossings, regardless of whether a train is approaching.

Various signs, signals, and pavement markings are used to warn drivers of an upcoming railroad crossing. The round, yellow warning sign is an advance warning, while the crossbuck sign is located at the crossing itself. Understanding these is critical for safety.

• ✓A round, yellow sign with a black 'X' and 'RR' letters is the advance warning sign that indicates you are approaching a railroad crossing.
• ✓A white, X-shaped sign with 'RAILROAD CROSSING' printed on it is called a crossbuck. It is located at the crossing and should be treated as a YIELD sign; you must yield to any approaching trains.

If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, your personal safety is the top priority. There is a specific procedure to follow to get yourself and passengers to safety and to alert the authorities, which differs depending on whether a train is approaching.

• ✓If your vehicle stalls on tracks, immediately get everyone out and get away from the vehicle and tracks.
• ✓If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle to avoid being hit by your vehicle or debris after impact.
• ✓Locate the Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign at the crossing and call the number provided to report your stalled vehicle's location.

New York law specifies exactly when a vehicle's headlights must be turned on to ensure visibility. This includes certain times of day and specific weather conditions. Daytime running lights are not a legal substitute for headlights.

• ✓You must use your headlights from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise.
• ✓Headlights must be turned on any time you use your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet, or fog.
• ✓Headlights are also required when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.

While high beams improve visibility at night, they can blind other drivers. It is crucial to know the specific distances at which you must switch from high beams to low beams when approaching or following other vehicles.

• ✓You must dim your headlights to low beam when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
• ✓You must dim your headlights to low beam when you are within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.
• ✓If an oncoming driver does not dim their high beams, you should look toward the right edge of the road to avoid the glare.

A grade crossing is where a roadway intersects with train tracks. Drivers must always be prepared for an approaching train. This section details the rules for both active crossings (with gates and lights) and passive crossings (with signs only), emphasizing that a train is always closer and moving faster than it appears.

• ✓At a railroad crossing with flashing red lights, lowered gates, or a bell, you must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks.
• ✓Never drive around or under a crossing gate, even if it is moving up or down.
• ✓At a passive crossing marked only with a crossbuck sign, you must yield, look and listen for a train, and be prepared to stop before proceeding.
• ✓Do not cross any railroad tracks unless you are certain there is enough room for your entire vehicle on the other side without stopping on the tracks.

Expressways, such as the Thruway or interstates, have higher speed limits and require specific skills for entering, exiting, and changing lanes. The default speed limit is 55 mph unless otherwise posted. It is crucial to plan your trip and avoid last-minute maneuvers.

• ✓Use the entrance ramp to accelerate to the speed of expressway traffic before merging.
• ✓If you miss your exit, you must continue to the next one; it is illegal and extremely dangerous to stop or back up on an expressway or ramp.
• ✓You must signal for a lane change or exit at least 100 feet before the maneuver.
• ✓When approaching an entrance ramp, if possible, move from the right lane to allow more room for traffic to merge.

Expressways, such as the NYS Thruway or interstates, feature high-speed, multi-lane traffic. Safe driving requires understanding the correct procedures for entering, changing lanes, and exiting, as well as knowing what to do if you make a mistake.

• ✓If you miss your exit on an expressway, you must proceed to the next exit. It is illegal and dangerous to stop, back up, or cross the median.
• ✓When entering an expressway, use the entrance ramp to accelerate to the speed of traffic, signal, and merge when it is safe to do so.
• ✓You must signal your intent to exit an expressway at least 100 feet before you reach the exit ramp.

Rain, fog, and snow reduce visibility and make road surfaces slippery, increasing the risk of hydroplaning and losing control. Drivers must adjust their speed and vehicle equipment to maintain safety.

• ✓In heavy rain, your tires can hydroplane (ride on water), causing a loss of control. The best way to prevent this is to slow down.
• ✓When driving in rain, fog, or snow, you should use your low beam headlights. High beams will reflect off the precipitation and make it harder to see.

Winter driving in New York presents unique challenges like ice and snow. Knowing how to prepare your vehicle and how to react if your vehicle begins to skid is essential for safety.

• ✓If the rear wheels of your vehicle start to skid, you should turn the steering wheel in the direction the vehicle is trying to go (steer into the skid).
• ✓In New York State, tires with metal studs are only permitted for use between October 16 and April 30.
• ✓When braking on a slippery road with regular brakes, you should pump the pedal carefully. With anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply steady pressure.

Emergencies like a tire blowout, brake failure, or running off the road can happen unexpectedly. The most important rule is to remain calm and know the correct, safe actions to take to maintain control of your vehicle.

• ✓If you have a tire blowout, you should hold the steering wheel tightly, ease your foot off the gas pedal, and brake only when the vehicle is under control.
• ✓If your wheels move off the pavement, do not swerve back on. Ease off the gas, brake gently, and when slowed, turn carefully back onto the pavement.
• ✓If your brakes fail, the first thing you should do is try pumping the brake pedal to build up pressure.

If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, immediate and correct action is critical for survival. The absolute priority is to get all occupants out of the vehicle and to a safe location, not to save the vehicle.

• ✓If your vehicle stalls on tracks, immediately get everyone out and get away from the vehicle.
• ✓If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle to avoid being hit by debris from the collision.
• ✓Locate the Emergency Notification System sign at the crossing and call the number provided to report the stalled vehicle on the tracks.

Rain, fog, and snow reduce visibility and traction, requiring drivers to adjust their speed and following distance. Hydroplaning, where tires lose contact with a wet road, is a significant danger at higher speeds.

• ✓In heavy rain, slow down to prevent hydroplaning; good tires with deep tread also help.
• ✓When driving in fog, rain, or snow, use your low beam headlights. High beams will reflect off the precipitation and reduce your visibility.
• ✓Remember that bridges, ramps, and overpasses are the first surfaces to freeze when temperatures drop.

Winter is the most difficult driving season. This section covers vehicle preparation, such as the legal use of studded tires, and the proper techniques for recovering from a skid on ice or snow.

• ✓In New York State, tires with metal studs are only legal from October 16 through April 30.
• ✓If your rear wheels skid, turn your steering wheel in the same direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding.
• ✓If your front wheels skid, take your foot off the gas, shift to neutral, and steer in the direction you want to go only after traction begins to return.
• ✓On a slippery road, brake early, carefully, and gently. If you do not have ABS, pump the brakes.

Deer are a common hazard on New York roads, especially during the fall and at dawn or dusk. Drivers should be especially cautious in areas marked with deer crossing signs.

• ✓Be most cautious for deer at dawn and dusk, particularly during the months of October, November, and December.
• ✓If you see one deer cross the road, slow down and expect others to follow, as deer travel in groups.
• ✓Roadways marked with deer crossing signs are placed in areas with a history of a large number of deer-vehicle collisions.

In New York, the color and shape of a traffic sign provide essential clues about its meaning, allowing drivers to quickly understand traffic rules, hazards, and available services. Regulation signs are typically white rectangles, warning signs are yellow and diamond-shaped, destination signs are green, and service signs are blue. Knowing these basic classifications is fundamental for the written test.

• ✓Regulation signs, which state traffic laws like speed limits or parking rules, are normally white rectangles with black or red letters.
• ✓Warning signs, which alert you to potential hazards or special conditions ahead, are normally yellow and diamond-shaped with black letters or symbols.

Stop and Yield signs are critical regulatory signs that manage right-of-way at intersections. At a Stop sign, you must come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk. At a Yield sign, you must slow down, be prepared to stop, and give the right-of-way to all vehicles and pedestrians in or approaching the intersection.

• ✓At a STOP sign, you must come to a full stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or the point nearest the intersection that provides a view of traffic.
• ✓At a YIELD sign, you must decrease speed, be prepared to stop, and yield the right-of-way. A full stop is required if traffic conditions demand it.

Flashing traffic lights require specific actions. A flashing red light must be treated the same as a stop sign. A flashing yellow light is a warning to slow down and proceed with caution. Confusing these two signals is a common error on the knowledge test.

• ✓A FLASHING RED light means the same as a STOP sign: you must stop completely, yield the right-of-way, and go only when it is safe.
• ✓A FLASHING YELLOW light means you should drive with caution and be prepared to stop.

According to New York State law, if you approach an intersection where the traffic lights are out of service or not functioning correctly, you must treat the intersection as an all-way stop. This is a critical safety rule tested to assess a driver's judgment in unusual situations.

• ✓If traffic lights are out of service, you must come to a stop as you would for a stop sign.
• ✓After stopping at an inoperative traffic light, you must yield and proceed according to the rules of right-of-way for an all-way stop.

Pavement markings are used to separate lanes of traffic and indicate passing rules. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction. The style of the line—solid, broken, or double—determines whether you can legally cross it.

• ✓Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
• ✓White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

The directions given by a traffic officer take precedence over all other traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings. This is a paramount rule of the road. If an officer signals you to proceed through a red light or stop at a green light, you must obey their command.

• ✓Directions given by traffic officers take precedence over signs, signals, or pavement markings.
• ✓You must obey a police officer's signal even if it contradicts a traffic light or stop sign.

Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols, indicating that construction or maintenance is occurring on or near the road. Drivers must exercise extreme caution, reduce their speed, and always be prepared to stop. You must obey all instructions from a flag person.

• ✓Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols.
• ✓You must drive at a reduced speed through a work zone and always obey the signals given by a flag person, even if no speed limit is posted.

In New York State, turning on a red light is permitted under specific conditions after a full stop. A right turn on red is allowed unless a sign prohibits it. A left turn on red is only allowed when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. However, special rules apply in New York City.

• ✓You can make a right turn at a steady red light after coming to a full stop and yielding, unless a 'NO TURN ON RED' sign is posted.
• ✓You are not allowed to turn on a red light in New York City unless a sign that permits it is posted.

The lines on the road dictate when it is legal to pass. You may pass if the line on your side is broken. You may not pass if the line on your side is solid or if there are double solid lines. The only exception for crossing a solid line is to make a left turn into or out of a driveway.

• ✓You cannot pass other vehicles if you are on the side with the solid line in a 'solid line with broken line' combination.
• ✓Double solid lines indicate that you cannot pass or change lanes from either direction.

When a sign or signal requires you to stop, your vehicle's position is important. You must stop before the thick white stop line if one is painted on the road. If there is no stop line but there is a crosswalk, you must stop before the crosswalk. This ensures pedestrian safety and allows room for large vehicles to turn.

• ✓When required to stop, you must stop before you reach the stop line, if one is present.
• ✓If an intersection has crosswalk lines but no stop line, you must stop for a red light before your vehicle enters the crosswalk.

Special lights over lanes and markings on the pavement indicate how a lane may be used. A steady red 'X' means the lane is closed. Pavement arrows show the required direction of travel from a lane, and a diamond symbol indicates a reserved lane for buses or HOVs.

• ✓A steady red 'X' signal over a lane indicates that you are not allowed to drive in that lane.
• ✓A diamond symbol painted on the pavement indicates that the lane is reserved for specific vehicles, such as buses or car-pools (HOV).

In New York State, drivers have a strict legal responsibility to protect pedestrians. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all crosswalks, whether they are marked with lines or not, as well as at all intersections. When a pedestrian is crossing, you must stop well back from the crosswalk to ensure they can cross safely and to allow other drivers to see them. Never pass a vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian.

• ✓Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all crosswalks and intersections, regardless of whether they are marked or unmarked.
• ✓You must never pass or overtake a vehicle that is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway.
• ✓When backing up, you must look through your rear window, not just rely on mirrors, and it is recommended to get out and check behind your vehicle first.

A critical and absolute right-of-way rule applies to blind pedestrians. If a person is crossing the road with a guide dog or using a white or metal cane, you must grant them the right-of-way. This rule is absolute and must be followed even if traffic signals or other right-of-way rules would normally be against the pedestrian.

• ✓You must always give the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian crossing with a guide dog or a white or metal cane.
• ✓This right-of-way for blind pedestrians must be given even if traffic signals or other rules are not in their favor.

Large vehicles like trucks and buses have significant blind spots, referred to as "No-Zones," on all four sides. The largest blind spots are on the sides and directly behind the vehicle. A good rule to follow is that if you cannot see the truck driver in their side-view mirror, they cannot see you. Avoid lingering in these areas to prevent a collision.

• ✓Avoid driving in a large vehicle's blind spots, which are located on the sides, in the rear, and in front.
• ✓If you cannot see the driver of a large vehicle in their side mirror, you are in their blind spot and they cannot see you.
• ✓Large vehicles take a much longer distance to stop than cars traveling at the same speed.

Motorcycles are much smaller and less visible than cars, making it difficult to judge their speed and distance. This is especially dangerous at intersections, where many crashes occur when a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. As a driver, you must train yourself to actively look for motorcycles and double-check before making turns.

• ✓A motorcycle's small size can make it seem farther away and its speed more difficult to judge than it actually is.
• ✓A high percentage of fatal motorcycle crashes occur when another vehicle turns left in front of the motorcycle.
• ✓Two motorcyclists are legally allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane.

Due to their size, large vehicles need more room to maneuver, especially when turning. A truck may swing wide to the left in order to make a right turn, so you must pay close attention to its turn signals, not just its lane position. When passing a large vehicle, ensure you can see the entire front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror before returning to the lane.

• ✓Do not cut abruptly in front of a large vehicle; after passing, wait until you can see the entire front of the vehicle in your mirror before pulling back in.
• ✓Be aware that large trucks often need to move to the left before making a wide right turn; watch their turn signals carefully.

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators and are entitled to share the road. Drivers must be cautious, especially when turning, opening a car door, or leaving a curb. When passing a bicyclist, you should reduce your speed and give them plenty of room, as the air pressure from a fast-moving vehicle can cause them to lose balance.

• ✓You must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists just as you would to another vehicle.
• ✓Before opening your vehicle's door after parking, you must check for bicyclists who may be approaching from behind.
• ✓When passing a bicyclist, slow down and provide ample space, moving into an adjacent lane if safe.

To anticipate their actions, drivers should know the rules bicyclists must follow. They must ride in a bike lane if one is available, or near the right curb. For night riding, a bicycle must have a white headlight visible from 500 feet and a red taillight visible from 300 feet. In New York, helmets are mandatory for bicycle riders and passengers aged 1 to 13.

• ✓Bicyclists must ride in a bicycle lane if available; otherwise, they must stay near the right curb or edge of the road.
• ✓Bicycles operated at night must be equipped with a headlight visible from at least 500 feet and a red taillight visible from at least 300 feet.
• ✓It is illegal to carry an infant under one year old as a passenger on a bicycle.

Limited use motorcycles, or mopeds, have specific lane restrictions based on their speed class. Class B and C mopeds (top speed of 30 mph or less) are restricted to the right-hand lane of traffic, as far to the right as possible. Class A mopeds (up to 40 mph) may use any traffic lane. Mopeds are generally prohibited from expressways.

• ✓Class B and C mopeds are only permitted to be driven in the right-hand lane of traffic, as far to the right as possible.
• ✓Class A mopeds are allowed to be driven in any lane and any section of a lane.
• ✓Mopeds are not permitted on expressways or other controlled access highways unless signs specifically permit it.