If you are wondering what questions are on the permit test in NY, the in-person written test has 20 multiple choice questions on traffic laws, safe driving and road signs, taken from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). You pass with at least 14 correct, but you must also get at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions right, so signs need their own study time.
Quick answer: what questions are on the permit test in NY
The New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) gives the same Class D written test across the state, including in New York City. There is also an online version you can take at home.
| Detail | In person | Online at home |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 20 | Not stated by the DMV. It says to expect 30 to 40 minutes |
| To pass | At least 14 correct (70%) | At least 80% overall |
| Road sign rule | At least 2 of the 4 sign questions | At least 50% of the sign questions |
| Format | Touch screen or paper, many languages | PC or tablet with a webcam that the DMV can access |
| If you fail | Ask at the office about your next try | Resubmit and try again after at least 6 hours |
For the online test, you must stay clearly visible on camera, and the DMV says that if more than one person appears in the frame you may have to retake the test at an office. You still pay the permit fee in person at a DMV office.
Sign shapes and colors
The DMV's manual puts it simply: "The shape and color of traffic signs give indications to the type of information they provide." Here is the gallery, grouped by shape. New York follows the national sign standard (the MUTCD), so these are the same signs you will see on the test.
Octagon (8 sides)
- Red with white letters: STOP.
- No other sign uses this shape, so you can recognize it from behind or in snow.
Triangle, point down
- Red and white: YIELD.
- Slow down and stop if needed to let traffic and pedestrians go first.
Diamond
- Yellow with black symbols: a warning.
- Curves, hills, merging traffic, slippery roads, deer and similar hazards ahead.
Pentagon (5 sides)
- School zone or school crossing.
- Usually fluorescent yellow-green. Slow down and watch for children.
Pennant (sideways triangle)
- Yellow: NO PASSING ZONE.
- Posted on the left side of the road, where you would see it while thinking about passing.
Circle
- Yellow with an X and two Rs: railroad crossing ahead.
- This is an advance warning. The crossing itself comes later.
Crossbuck (X shape)
- White X at the tracks: the railroad crossing itself.
- Treat it like a yield sign for trains.
Vertical rectangle
- Usually regulatory: speed limits, turn rules, lane use.
- White signs give rules you must obey.
Horizontal rectangle
- Guide and information signs: green for directions, blue for services, brown for parks and points of interest.
What each color means in the New York manual
| Color | Used for |
|---|---|
| Red with white letters | Stop signs |
| White with black letters | Regulation signs: rules such as speed limits |
| Yellow with black letters or symbols | Warning signs, usually diamond shaped |
| Orange with black letters or symbols | Work area signs |
| Green with white letters | Destination signs: directions and distances |
| Blue with white letters | Service signs: gas, food, hospital and rest areas |
The signs people miss most
The DMV publishes a page called Road Signs You Must Know with 16 common signs. In our experience the ones new drivers mix up are these:
- Right lane ends: the right lane is ending, so move left when it is safe.
- Merge: traffic will join your road from the side. Make room.
- Divided highway ends: soon there is no median, and traffic comes toward you.
- Keep right of divider: stay to the right of the island or median ahead.
- Two-way traffic: you are leaving a one-way road. Oncoming traffic shares the road.
- One way and DO NOT ENTER: never turn into a one-way road against traffic.
- Hill ahead: slow down and be ready to shift or brake on the way down.
- Slippery when wet: slow down in rain and avoid sudden moves.
- Traffic signal ahead: a signal is coming, often around a curve.
- No U-turn and no left turn: a red circle and slash over the arrow means the turn is not allowed.
The rest of the test is rules, not signs. Students who already ride in cars often miss book facts: right of way, parking distances, alcohol limits and what to do for school buses. Read the whole manual even if you feel ready.
Practice: 10 ny permit test questions on signs
Cover the answers, say each answer out loud, then check. These are practice questions, not the DMV's own test questions, and there are no published ny permit test answers to memorize: learn what each sign means.
- Which shape is used only for the stop sign?
- What does a red and white triangle pointing down mean?
- You see a yellow, sideways triangle on the left side of the road. What does it mean?
- A round yellow sign with a black X and two letter Rs means what?
- What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign tell you?
- A yellow diamond-shaped sign is what kind of sign?
- What color are work zone signs?
- What color are guide signs that give directions and exits?
- What do blue signs show?
- A red circle with a slash over a symbol means what?
Answers
- An octagon (eight sides).
- Yield: slow down, let others go first, and stop if needed.
- No passing zone. Do not start to pass.
- A railroad crossing is ahead.
- You are near a school zone or school crossing.
- A warning sign about a condition or hazard ahead.
- Orange.
- Green.
- Motorist services such as gas, food, lodging or a hospital.
- The action shown is not allowed.
How the signs section fits into the full test
Signs are 4 of the 20 in-person questions. The other 16 cover the rest of the manual: traffic control, intersections and turns, passing, parallel parking, defensive driving, alcohol and drugs, and sharing the road. Many chapters of the manual end with Test Your Knowledge questions, which work as a free new york dmv sample written test.
You can also take the written test at some high schools through the DMV's Online Knowledge Test Application (OKTA) program.
How many questions on the nyc permit test?
The same as the rest of the state: 20 questions in person, with 14 correct needed and at least 2 of the 4 sign questions right. New York City offices give the same Class D test.
How many questions can you get wrong on the New York permit test?
Up to 6 of 20 in person, as long as you miss no more than 2 of the 4 sign questions. Online, you need 80% overall and at least half the sign questions.
New York permit test FAQ
What questions are on the permit test in NY?
Multiple choice questions on traffic laws, safe driving and road signs, all from the New York State Driver's Manual. In person there are 20, including 4 about road signs.
How many questions on the nyc permit test?
20 in person, the same as anywhere in New York State. You need 14 correct and at least 2 of the 4 sign questions.
How many questions can you get wrong on the new york permit test?
Up to 6 of 20 in person, but no more than 2 of the 4 sign questions. The online test needs 80% overall and at least half the sign questions.
Can I take the NY permit test online?
Yes. You apply and take the test at home on a PC or tablet with a webcam the DMV can access. If you fail, you can try again after at least 6 hours.
Where can I find a new york dmv sample written test?
The Driver's Manual has Test Your Knowledge questions at the end of many chapters, and the DMV has a road signs quiz on dmv.ny.gov.
