New York driving glossary: English–Chinese

Lets you practice with a supervising driver beside you. A permit alone never allows driving solo.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

A licensed driver aged 21 or older, licensed for the vehicle, in the front passenger seat while a permit holder drives.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The learner permit for drivers under 18. Allowed hours and supervisors depend on the region: New York City, Long Island or upstate.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The license a 16- or 17-year-old gets after passing the road test. It can’t be used in New York City, and it has hour and passenger limits elsewhere.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The standard car license: at 18, or at 17 with a state-approved driver-education certificate (MV-285).

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The application form for a learner permit or driver license.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

New York scores proofs of name in points; a permit application needs proofs worth at least 6, plus proof of date of birth, proof of New York residence and your Social Security number (or, for a standard permit, an affidavit that you’ve never been issued one).

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

20 multiple-choice questions. Pass with at least 14 right, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The 5-hour course a first-time applicant must finish before booking a road test, unless they completed high school or college driver education. The classroom certificate, MV-278, is good for one year.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

A state-approved high school or college driver-ed course. It counts instead of the 5-hour course and lets a 17-year-old move up to a Class D license.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The form a parent or guardian signs to certify that a driver under 18 has 50 hours of practice, 15 after sunset. You hand it to the examiner at the road test.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses

The driving test with a DMV examiner on city streets: driving in traffic, turns, parallel parking and possibly a three-point turn.

The rule · dmv.ny.gov: Driver re-evaluation program

Turning around on a narrow two-way street in three moves: forward, reverse, forward. The examiner may ask for one.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 5: Intersections and Turns

Parking along the curb between two cars. It’s on every New York road test; finish with your wheels within 12 inches of the curb.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1203

The licensed driver who comes with you to the road test: 18 or older if they drive you there, 21 or older if you drive, with a physical license valid for the test car. No other passengers may come to the site.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses dmv.ny.gov: Schedule and take a road test

A temporary license you can get online after passing the road test, until the photo license arrives by mail in about 2 weeks.

The rule · dmv.ny.gov: Schedule and take a road test

Drivers licensed at 18 or older start with 6 months of probation; under state law, junior DJ and MJ licenses aren’t probationary. Certain convictions during it bring a 60-day suspension, and a texting or cell phone conviction a 120-day one.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §501

Points go on your record for traffic convictions, counted by the violation date. 11 or more in 24 months can get your license suspended.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License

An extra yearly fee for 3 years after 6 or more points in 18 months, or after an alcohol or drug conviction or a test refusal.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License

A DMV-approved defensive-driving course. It can take up to 4 points off your total for suspension purposes and cut liability and collision premiums by 10% for 3 years.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License

A suspension takes your license for a set time; a revocation cancels it, and you must reapply when the period ends.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License

Driving while intoxicated. A BAC of 0.08% or more is evidence of DWI.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192

Driving while ability impaired, by alcohol (a BAC above 0.05% is evidence of it) or by drugs (DWAI-drug).

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192

A BAC of 0.18% or more. A first offense is a misdemeanor with at least a 1-year revocation.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192

Drivers under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.07%. A finding brings a 6-month suspension.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192-A

By driving in New York you agree to a chemical test if arrested for impaired driving. Refusing costs at least a 1-year revocation and a $500 civil penalty.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1194 NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License

A breath tester you must pass before the car starts. A DWI or aggravated DWI conviction requires one for at least 12 months, though the court may waive the rest once it has been installed for six months.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Driving while intoxicated by alcohol, or while impaired by drugs or by drugs and alcohol combined, with a child under 16 in the vehicle can be charged as a felony.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192

Slow down for a stopped emergency or hazard vehicle, a vehicle showing blue or green lights, or any vehicle stopped on a parkway or controlled-access highway. On a parkway, interstate or other controlled-access road with several lanes, also move out of the lane next to it unless traffic or another hazard makes that unsafe.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 5: Intersections and Turns NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1144-A

A blue light marks a volunteer firefighter’s car; green marks a volunteer ambulance or rescue member. Yielding the right-of-way to them is a courtesy, not a duty, but the Move Over law covers them too.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 5: Intersections and Turns

NO PARKING: brief stops to load or unload goods or passengers are fine. NO STANDING: only quick passenger pick-ups or drop-offs, and the driver stays in. NO STOPPING: stop only when a sign, signal or officer requires it, or to avoid a crash.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking

When the car ahead passes a fixed object, count two seconds; if you reach it first, you’re too close. Use at least three to four seconds in bad weather or behind a truck.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 8: Defensive Driving

A divided highway with two or more lanes each way, usually entered and left by ramps, like the Thruway, interstates and parkways. The limit is normally 55 mph.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions

When a stopped school bus flashes red lights, traffic in both directions stops at least 20 feet away, even across a divided highway, until the bus moves or the driver or an officer waves you on.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1174

Every New York auto policy must include no-fault coverage (personal injury protection), plus uninsured-motorist coverage.

The rule · NY Dept. of Financial Services: auto insurance

New York requires a safety inspection every year at a licensed station; most gasoline cars also get an emissions check.

The rule · NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 3: Owning a Vehicle