New York Permit Test: 20 Questions, 14 to Pass
New York's Class D/DJ written test has 20 questions. You need at least 14 correct overall and at least 2 correct among the 4 road-sign questions. The harder part for teens is not the test—it is New York's location-specific junior permit/license rules, which differ across Upstate, New York City and Long Island.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
New York's junior-license rules change by region. Upstate, New York City and Long Island have materially different rules. A junior Class DJ license can be used unsupervised in many Upstate situations, cannot be used to drive at all in NYC, and is tightly limited on Long Island. See New York's regional teen rules →
- 16minimum permit age
- 14 / 20written-test passing score
- 50 / 15under-18 practice / after-sunset hours
New York Class D/DJ written-test format
The Class D/DJ written test asks 20 questions on rules of the road, safe driving, road signs and alcohol/drug laws. Passing requires at least 14 correct overall and at least 2 correct out of the 4 road-sign questions. DMV offers automated testing and participating-high-school OKTA testing for eligible students starting at age 15 years 11 months.
| questions | 20 |
|---|---|
| correct overall | 14 |
| sign minimum | 2 of 4 |
The test is offered in 20 languages
NY DMV gives the Class D permit test in 20 languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, English, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu and Yiddish.
Rules, safety, signs and alcohol/drug laws
The Class D/DJ exam covers rules of the road, safe-driving techniques, signs and laws relating to alcohol/drug use while driving.
The steps to a New York driver license
Choose the document type first because Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced require different proof packages. All Class D/DJ applicants must pass written and vision testing and be at least 16 for permit issuance.
- Step 1. Choose Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced before you assemble your documents.
- Step 2. Complete MV-44.
- Step 3. Gather the required proof of identity, age and New York residence.
- Step 4. Meet the Social Security requirement that applies to your credential type.
- Step 5. Pass the vision requirement and the learner-permit knowledge test.
- Step 6. Pay the permit/license fee based on the DMV's current fee calculation.
Before you go: requirements and documents
New York Class D/DJ learner-permit requirements
New York learner permit: age 16, Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced documents, parental consent at 16–17, and the written and vision tests.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a New York learner permit
New York permit documents depend on Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced. Use DMV's ID-44 to build the proof of name, birth date, SSN, status and residency.
Open the document checklist →Standard credential
Uses New York's proof-of-name/date-of-birth/residency framework but is not accepted as federal REAL ID for domestic flights/federal facilities.
REAL ID
Requires qualifying lawful-status/citizenship, Social Security and two-residency proofs plus the necessary name-proof points.
Fees
A New York learner permit costs no more than about $136 under DMV's ID-44 guide; the exact amount depends on your age and on whether you live in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, and an Enhanced document adds $30. DMV's fee estimator gives your exact amount.
| age/residence | Variable |
|---|---|
| ID-44 permit estimate cap | ≤ $136 |
| Enhanced | +$30 |
See the full New York fee guide →
New York teen learner-permit and junior-license path
New York's GDL cannot be summarized with one curfew because the rules depend on location. Learn the permit/road-test requirements first, then the specific Upstate, New York City or Long Island junior-license rules where you will drive.
Step 1: learner permit at 16
Pass the 20-question written test and vision, obtain required parental consent and practice only with qualifying supervision.
Step 2: six months + 50/15 hours
Complete at least 50 supervised hours including 15 after sunset and have the parent/guardian certify MV-262.
Step 3: complete 5-hour Pre-Licensing or Driver Education
Course completion is required before road testing.
First New York driver's license for adults
Adults use the same 20-question/14-correct written test, but the junior six-month permit and 50/15 certification are under-18 requirements. An adult still needs supervised permit driving and the safe-driving course before the road test.
Step 1: apply for the Class D learner permit
Choose Standard/REAL ID/Enhanced, bring the matching document package and pass the 20-question written and vision tests.
Step 2: practice under permit supervision
All learner-permit drivers, regardless of age, need a supervising driver age 21+ with a valid license for the vehicle and must follow statewide location restrictions.
Step 3: complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course or qualifying Driver Education
Course completion is required before scheduling/taking the road test.
Appointments and office visits
Ask the New York DMV office you will use, state or county run, how it takes permit reservations; practices differ. Book the road test in DMV's statewide scheduler, online or by phone, after the pre-licensing course.
Check the permit office's reservation rules
New York uses both state and county offices; reservation practices and offered transactions can vary.
Finish Pre-Licensing or Driver Education before road-test scheduling
You need the course completion record/certificate information required by DMV.
Schedule the road test online or by automated phone system
The scheduler asks for permit/license ID, course completion information and preferred ZIP/location.
New York permit, written-test and road-test locations
The DMV office where you get your permit and the road-test site can be different. Check the exact office's services/reservation policy and the road-test scheduler separately.
Find the right office
New York learner permits are issued through state/county DMV offices after document, written and vision requirements.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Schedule your New York road test using NY DMV's online booking system. Have your learner permit and course completion details ready; under-18 applicants also meet the practice requirements.
Reserve a road test through NY DMV
Use the online Road Test Scheduling System with your learner permit and required pre-licensing course details.
Next step
Complete Pre-Licensing or approved Driver Education
Use MV-278 or the DMV record of your qualifying MV-285 completion as required for scheduling/testing.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the New York knowledge test
New York missions are live in Road to Permit: practice New York questions in the game, the first five missions free. Use these pages for the 20-question test (14 correct, including 2 of the 4 sign questions), the 5-hour pre-licensing course, the six-month, 50/15-hour teen requirement and the region-specific junior-license rules.
New York road signs for the permit test
Road signs carry their own pass condition in New York. Treat signs as a separate study block because an otherwise passing overall score can still fail the exam if the sign minimum is missed.
Study road signs →How to study the New York Driver's Manual
New York publishes the exact written-test target: 20 questions, 14 correct overall, and at least 2 correct among the 4 road-sign questions.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Study rules of the road and safe driving
- Road signs have their own minimum
- Under 18: learn regional GDL rules
- Use DMV's chapter quizzes and practice tests
- Which New York manual chapters matter for the permit test?
- Use the DMV chapter quizzes
- Study road signs separately
- Learn shapes, colors and symbols
- Know what the sign requires
New York permit test: questions and answers
What is the New York knowledge-test format?
New York's permit test has 20 questions. You need 14 correct overall, and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions must be right. It covers rules of the road, safe driving, signs and alcohol and drug laws, and is offered in 20 languages.
What do I need before I apply in New York?
Choose the document type first because Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced require different proof packages. All Class D/DJ applicants must pass written and vision testing and be at least 16 for permit issuance.
Which documents should I prepare?
First choose Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced. Every type needs proof of name, date of birth and New York residence; REAL ID also needs proof of lawful status or citizenship, your Social Security number and two residency proofs, and Enhanced is for U.S. citizens only. Applicants aged 16 or 17 add a parent's consent.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
A New York learner permit costs no more than about $136 under DMV's ID-44 guide; the exact amount depends on your age and on whether you live in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, and an Enhanced document adds $30. DMV's fee estimator gives your exact amount.
Where do I make an appointment?
Ask the New York DMV office you will use, state or county run, how it takes permit reservations; practices differ. Book the road test in DMV's statewide scheduler, online or by phone, after the pre-licensing course.
In which languages can I take the New York permit test?
In any of 20, including English and Spanish, according to NY DMV.
How old do I have to be for a New York learner permit?
At least 16.
How many questions are on the Class D/DJ written test?
20 questions.
How many do I need correct?
At least 14 of 20 overall, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions.
Can a high-school student take the test before turning 16?
At participating OKTA schools, a student at least 15 years 11 months can take the written test; permit issuance still requires age 16.
Do I need a pre-licensing course?
Yes. Before the road test, complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course or a qualifying state-approved Driver Education course.
How long must a junior permit be held?
At least six months in valid status before an under-18 road test.
How much supervised driving is required under 18?
At least 50 hours, including at least 15 hours after sunset, certified on MV-262.
Can I drive alone with a junior license in New York City?
No. A Class DJ/MJ junior license cannot be used to drive in the five boroughs under any circumstances.
Can I drive alone Upstate with a junior license?
Generally yes from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., subject to passenger and other GDL restrictions; 9 p.m.–5 a.m. is limited to specific home-to-work/school-course situations or supervision.
What about Long Island?
Nassau and Suffolk have stricter rules; unsupervised junior driving is limited to specified work/education/farm/driver-ed trips depending on time of day.
How much is the permit?
New York fees vary by age, document type and residence. The current ID-44 guide says a Class DJ/D learner-permit transaction will not exceed about $136, and Enhanced adds $30; use DMV's fee estimator for the exact amount.
Can a 17-year-old get a senior Class D license?
Yes, if they have a junior license (or qualify at the road test) and a state-approved Driver Education Certificate of Completion MV-285 on file/presented as required.
Complete New York driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
How to study the New York Driver's Manual
Study the New York Driver's Manual for the 20-question written test: 14 correct to pass, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions.
Open guide →New York Class D/DJ learner-permit requirements
New York learner permit: age 16, Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced documents, parental consent at 16–17, and the written and vision tests.
Open guide →Documents for a New York learner permit
New York permit documents depend on Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced. Use DMV's ID-44 to build the proof of name, birth date, SSN, status and residency.
Open guide →New York permit and road-test appointments
New York permit offices set their own reservation rules. Road tests use the statewide scheduler and need a valid permit and the pre-licensing course.
Open guide →New York Class D/DJ road test
Book a New York DMV road test online after meeting permit and pre-licensing rules. Under-18 drivers also bring the MV-262 supervised-driving form.
Open guide →New York road signs for the permit test
New York's 20-question permit test has 4 road-sign questions, and you must get at least 2 of them right besides 14 correct overall.
Open guide →New York learner-permit and license fees
New York permit fees depend on age, credential and residence. DMV's ID-44 puts a Class DJ/D permit at no more than about $136; Enhanced adds $30.
Open guide →New York Class D/DJ written-test format
The New York permit test has 20 questions: get 14 right, including at least 2 of 4 road-sign questions. What it covers, its 20 languages and five free practice missions.
Open guide →New York teen learner-permit and junior-license path
New York teens: permit at 16, six months, 50 supervised hours with 15 after sunset, driver ed or the 5-hour course, then regional junior-license rules.
Open guide →First New York driver's license for adults
New York adults: learner permit at 18+, supervised practice, the 5-hour pre-licensing course, then the road test. The teen six-month rule does not apply.
Open guide →New York permit, written-test and road-test locations
New York learner permits are issued through state/county DMV offices after document, written and vision requirements.
Open guide →Official sources
Last updated . Procedures and fees can change, so check the official page before you apply.
- NY DMV — Prepare for and take your permit test
- NY DMV — Driver's Manual
- NY DMV — ID-44 Permit / License Application Guide
- NY DMV — Learner Permit Restrictions
- NY DMV — Graduated License Law
- NY DMV — Important Information About Learner Permits MV-500H
- NY DMV — Pre-Licensing Course
- NY DMV — Prepare / Schedule Road Test
- NY DMV — Fee Information
- New York — New York Driver's Manual
- NY DMV — Get a learner permit
- NY DMV — Application MV-44
- NY DMV — Enhanced or REAL ID
- NY DMV — DMV Office Locations
- NY DMV — RT-3 road-test scheduling instructions
- NY DMV — Driver's Manual
- NY DMV — Chapter 4: Traffic Control