The New York permit written test has 20 questions, and you need 14 correct, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. The minimum age for a permit is 16. This guide explains the basics and how to prepare. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the New York State DMV and its MV-21 Driver's Manual.
The written test
The test has 20 questions. You pass with 14 correct, which is 70 percent, but you must also get 2 of the 4 sign questions right. That means road signs deserve their own study time. A student who knows rules but skips signs can still fail.
Permit rules for teens
- The minimum age is 16.
- Your supervising driver must be at least 21.
- You need 50 hours of practice, with 15 after sunset. Parents record this on form MV-262.
- You must hold the permit for six months before the road test.
- A five-hour pre-licensing course is required.
Start the practice log from day one. Many families forget until the end and then have to guess, which defeats the purpose.
New driver probation
After you get a license, you are on probation for 6 months. The manual says violations can bring 60-day suspensions. That is a good reason to learn the rules now.
Rules that show up in study materials
- No right turn on red in New York City unless a sign allows it.
- Parking: stay 15 feet from a hydrant, 20 feet from a crosswalk, 30 feet from a signal or stop sign, and 50 feet from a railroad crossing.
- Blood alcohol: .08 is intoxicated, .05 is impaired, and drivers under 21 have zero tolerance.
- Hand-held phone use can bring a fine up to $200 and 5 points.
Study signs in groups: warning signs are mostly yellow and diamond shaped, regulatory signs often white, and stop is the only eight-sided sign.
How to make your test day easier
Take a few practice tests in the week before your appointment. Time yourself, review every miss, and notice patterns. If you keep missing parking or right-of-way questions, go back to the manual and read that section again.
A simple study plan
- Read the New York Driver's Manual in short sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right of way or parking distances.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, documents and how to take the test with the New York State DMV at dmv.ny.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your NY visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. If a question is confusing, move on to the next one if the test allows it and come back later. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.