New York Motorcycle Permit Test Guide

The NY motorcycle permit test is a written test of 20 multiple-choice questions, and you pass with at least 14 correct, including at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions. It is given by the New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) and its questions come from the Motorcycle Operator's Manual (MV-21MC) and the regular New York Driver's Manual. Passing it gets you a Class M or MJ learner permit, the first step toward a motorcycle license.

NY motorcycle permit test: the quick answer

If you also want a car license, DMV says to get the Class D permit first. If you already hold a New York license, DMV's fee chart lists $21 to $120 to add Class M, depending on your age, and says it cannot calculate the exact fee until you apply.

What's on the motorcycle permit test

The manual says the test is based on its own chapters plus the Driver's Manual, so expect road signs and traffic law alongside riding questions. These motorcycle topics come straight from the MV-21MC:

• Gear: operators and passengers must wear a helmet that meets the federal FMVSS 218 standard. Operators must wear approved eye protection even if the bike has a windshield.
• Lights: the headlight and taillight must be on at all times on the road.
• Lane rules: you may use a full lane and two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane, but you may not ride between lanes, beside a car in the same lane, or between traffic and parked cars.
• Lane position: each lane has three paths, and with vehicles on both sides the center (path 2) is usually best.
• Following distance: at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and three seconds or more in poor conditions.
• Braking, swerving, tire failure and what to do at intersections.
• Passengers: only one, on a permanent seat, facing forward with each foot on a foot peg.
• Alcohol: 0.08 BAC is legally intoxicated, and New York's Zero Tolerance Law covers drivers under 21 from 0.02 to 0.07.

Steps to your New York motorcycle license

1. StudyRead the Motorcycle Operator's Manual and the road sign chapter of the Driver's Manual, then take practice tests.
2. Get your permitBring proof of age, identity and residence to a DMV office (or use the online test), pass the 20-question test and pay the fee. A temporary permit is issued and the card arrives by mail within 2 weeks.
3. PracticeDMV recommends at least 30 hours of riding, including 10 hours in medium to heavy traffic, with a supervisor 21 or older who holds a motorcycle license and stays within a quarter mile.
4. Pre-licensing courseIf you hold no other New York license, finish a pre-licensing or driver education course (MV-278 or MV-285) before you schedule a road test.
5. Wait if you are under 18Riders under 18 must hold the permit at least 6 months before scheduling the road test.
6. Road test or waiverBook through DMV's road test scheduler, or skip the road test with a BRC or BRC2-LW card if you qualify.
7. Get your licenseWith no other license, it arrives by mail in about 2 weeks. With an existing license, wait 7 days, then add the class at a DMV office with form MV-44 and the $12.50 amendment fee.

Skipping the road test with a rider course

You can waive the road test if you are 16 or older, hold a valid New York license (Class A, B, C, D, DJ or E) and a valid Class M or MJ permit, and have a BRC or BRC2-LW completion card issued within the past two years. Courses taken in other states do not count. Approved courses are listed by the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program at nysmsp.org.

What to bring to the road test

• A registered, inspected and working motorcycle.
• A registered, inspected car and a licensed driver 21 or older to carry the examiner. No other passengers.
• Your photo learner permit, and glasses or contacts if your permit requires them.
• Your original pre-licensing certificate if you hold no other license. Copies are not accepted.
• Form MV-262 signed by a parent or guardian if you are under 18, every time you test.

NY motorcycle permit test online

DMV's online learner permit test lets you choose a motorcycle (M) permit if you qualify through its Get a Permit pre-screening. You need a NY.gov ID, a computer or tablet with a working webcam, and photos of your ID documents. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to supervise. DMV's online test page sets a higher bar than the office test: 80% of all questions and 50% of the road sign questions. After you pass, you still visit a DMV office to show original documents, have your photo taken and pay the fee.

How to study for the NY motorcycle permit test

1. Use the MV-21MC as your NY motorcycle permit test study guide. Read one chapter a day and do its Test Yourself questions.
2. Read the road sign chapter of the Driver's Manual and learn signs by shape and color first.
3. Take NY motorcycle permit test practice questions and write down every one you miss.
4. Make your own cheat sheet of numbers (below) and review it the morning of your test.

NY motorcycle permit test cheat sheet: numbers to know

• 20 questions, 14 correct to pass, at least 2 of 4 road signs.
• Supervisor: 21 or older, motorcycle license, within a quarter mile.
• Practice: 30 hours recommended, 10 in medium to heavy traffic.
• Following distance: 2 seconds minimum, 3 or more in poor conditions.
• Under 18: 6 months with the permit before the road test.
• BRC waiver card: issued within the past two years.
• BAC: 0.08 is intoxicated. Zero Tolerance under 21 covers 0.02 to 0.07.

10-question New York motorcycle practice quiz

1. How many questions are on the NY motorcycle permit test at a DMV office? Answer: 20.
2. How many must you get right? Answer: 14, including at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions.
3. How old must your supervising rider be? Answer: 21 or older, with a valid motorcycle license.
4. How close must your supervisor stay? Answer: Within one-quarter mile.
5. What is the minimum following distance in normal conditions? Answer: Two seconds.
6. With vehicles on both sides of you, which lane position is usually best? Answer: The center of the lane, path 2.
7. When must your headlight be on? Answer: At all times when you ride on the road.
8. Can you ride between two lanes of traffic in New York? Answer: No. Two motorcycles may share one lane side by side, but lane splitting is not allowed.
9. How many passengers may you carry on a motorcycle? Answer: One, on a permanent seat with foot pegs.
10. Do you need eye protection if your motorcycle has a windshield? Answer: Yes, operators must wear approved eye protection anyway.

New York motorcycle permit test FAQ

Fees, forms and rules change, so check the New York State DMV motorcycle page at dmv.ny.gov before you go.