New York Permit Practice Test

The official New York permit test in numbers

Questions on the official exam

20 questionsChecked September 2026

Passing score

At least 14 of 20 correct (70%), and must include at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correctChecked September 2026

Fee

No separate knowledge-test fee: the 'permit test fee' you pay is the combined driver license and learner permit fee, $64.25-$102.50 for Class D/DJ depending on age and MCTD residence (e.g., $80.00/$90.00 at age 16-16.5; $64.25-$77.50 at 21 and older)Checked September 2026

If you fail

No waiting period or attempt limit is stated for the standard test; for the school-based OKTA online test, students who fail may retake it as many times as the school allowsChecked September 2026

Exam languages

20 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, and YiddishChecked September 2026

Minimum age

16 years old to apply for a learner permit (high school students at least 15 years 11 months may take the written test early through the OKTA program)Checked September 2026

Online testing

Yes for applicants under 18 (online permit test via DMV's pre-screening system, with results reviewed within 3 business days before the office visit); also available online at participating high schools statewide through the OKTA programChecked September 2026

Every row above is checked against the state's own published information, and rechecked when the state changes a rule. The practice test below is how you get ready for those numbers.

Take the New York permit practice test

The New York bank holds 100 questions written for the New York State Driver's Manual (Current MV-21 artifact created 2026-04-20), 6 of them illustrated with a sign, signal, marking, or road scene. Choose a Quick check of 25, a Practice run of 50, or the Full challenge of 100 in free Exam Mode. Explanations wait until the end, and your running score stays visible. No sign-up is required and your test is saved on this device. Premium Coaching Mode adds explanations after each answer.

Six questions from the New York bank, with the rule behind each answer

Sample 1 · Traffic Control

The illustrated STOP sign is beside an intersection with a painted stop line. Where must the vehicle stop?

1. ABefore reaching the stop lineCorrect
2. BAfter crossing the crosswalk
3. CBeside the sign even if that is past the line
4. DIn the intersection where cross traffic is visible

Why: At a stop sign, a driver must stop before the stop line, before the crosswalk if there is no stop line, or before entering the intersection if neither marking exists. Therefore, the supported response is "Before reaching the stop line".

Sample 2 · Passing And School Buses

How early must a New York driver signal before changing lanes?

1. AAt least 100 feet before the moveCorrect
2. BOnly while crossing the lane line
3. CAt least 10 feet before the move
4. DOnly when a vehicle is in the blind spot

Why: A driver must signal an intended lane change with turn lamps or a hand signal at least 100 feet before changing lanes. Therefore, the supported response is "At least 100 feet before the move".

Sample 3 · Defensive Driving

The illustrated sign posts 50 mph, and conditions are dry and clear. What is the highest lawful posted speed for this segment?

1. A50 mphCorrect
2. B55 mph
3. C60 mph
4. D65 mph

Why: Drivers must obey a posted speed limit and must choose a lower reasonable speed when conditions make the posted limit unsafe. Therefore, the supported response is "50 mph".

Sample 4 · Occupant Safety And Vehicle Condition

Who is responsible for wearing the driver's seat belt in a moving passenger car?

1. AOnly a driver on an expressway
2. BNo one when the car has air bags
3. CThe driverCorrect
4. DOnly a passenger under 16

Why: New York's occupant-restraint rules require the driver to be properly restrained by a seat belt. Therefore, the supported response is "The driver".

Sample 5 · Special Driving Conditions

A railroad gate has started rising, but red lights still flash. May you cross?

1. AYes, after sounding the horn
2. BNo, unless another car crosses first
3. CNo, wait until the gate is fully up and the lights stopCorrect
4. DYes, once the gate begins to move

Why: At an active railroad crossing, a driver must not proceed until the gates are fully raised and the flashing lights have stopped. Therefore, the supported response is "No, wait until the gate is fully up and the lights stop".

Sample 6 · Crashes And Driver Responsibility

You are involved in a minor parking-lot collision with only a small scratch. Must you stop?

1. AOnly if the other driver honks
2. BOnly if a police vehicle is nearby
3. CYes, an involved driver must stop regardless of damage levelCorrect
4. DNo, not when damage looks minor

Why: A driver involved in a traffic crash must stop regardless of the apparent level of damage. Therefore, the supported response is "Yes, an involved driver must stop regardless of damage level".

The 10 topics the New York permit practice test covers

These are New York's own topic areas, from traffic control to crashes and driver responsibility, each with 10 questions. Under each one are two questions from the bank, shown without their answers; the practice test explains every one of them.

1. Traffic Control10 questions
   • What response does the illustrated YIELD sign require when people are approaching the crosswalk?
   • The illustrated yellow diamond shows a lane joining the roadway. What type of sign is it?
2. Intersections And Turns10 questions
   • Your light is green, but a vehicle already in the intersection is completing a turn. Who goes first?
   • You plan to turn left as an oncoming driver continues straight through the same intersection. Who must yield?
3. Passing And School Buses10 questions
   • A motorcycle rides near the right side of a wide lane. How should you pass it?
   • What is required when overtaking a bicyclist from behind?
4. Parking10 questions
   • Your car has a clear backup-camera image before parallel parking. What additional action is still required?
   • About how much side space does the manual suggest when you line up beside the vehicle ahead of a parallel space?
5. Defensive Driving10 questions
   • On a New York road outside a lower-limit area, no speed sign is posted. What maximum does the manual state?
   • What speed limit generally applies in New York City when no different limit is posted?
6. Occupant Safety And Vehicle Condition10 questions
   • Two passengers age 18 plan to share one seat belt. Does that satisfy the restraint rule?
   • A 15-year-old passenger is not buckled. Who has the legal duty described in the manual to make sure the passenger is restrained?
7. Alcohol And Drugs10 questions
   • When can alcohol begin weakening skills needed for safe driving?
   • Can a prescribed medicine affect driving ability?
8. Special Driving Conditions10 questions
   • How far from the tracks must you stop when railroad red lights are flashing?
   • Traffic is stopped immediately beyond a railroad crossing. When may you enter the tracks?
9. Sharing The Road10 questions
   • A person using a white cane begins crossing while your signal is green. What must you do?
   • Does a pedestrian lose crosswalk priority just because the crossing has no painted lines?
10. Crashes And Driver Responsibility10 questions
    • Which information belongs in the required exchange after a property-damage crash?
    • A person is injured in a crash. What notification is required?

A study plan for the New York permit test

New York permit practice test questions