New York Beta
Adults: learner permit, practice with a driver 21+, the 5-hour course, then the road test. Under 18: a junior permit at 16, 50 hours of practice, 6 months’ wait, then a junior license with regional limits.
Roadfeel is an independent study guide. It isn’t the 5-hour pre-licensing course and doesn’t count toward it. We can’t file applications, book appointments or take DMV fees. Do those on dmv.ny.gov.
File form MV-44 with proof of your name worth at least 6 points, proof of your date of birth and proof of New York residence, plus your Social Security number (or, for a standard permit, an affidavit that you’ve never been issued one); pass the vision test (20/40 in at least one eye) and the written test (14 of 20, with 2 of the 4 sign questions); and pay the fee.
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses DMV form ID-44 (PDF)
Every permit holder, whatever their age, drives only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
Permit holders may not drive in DMV road-test areas, on New York City park streets, on Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority crossings, or on four Westchester parkways.
Every first-time applicant needs it (or high school or college driver education) before booking a road test.
Adults may take it online from a DMV-approved provider; the classroom certificate (MV-278) is good for one year.
Schedule online or by phone with your permit, course certificate and ZIP code. The earliest dates are usually 3 to 5 weeks out, up to 10 at busy times, mostly on weekdays.
It covers driving in traffic, turns, parallel parking and possibly a three-point turn.
Bring your photo permit, the original course certificate, a registered, inspected, insured car with permanent plates (no in-transit permit), and a licensed driver: 18+ if they drive you there, 21+ if you drive.
dmv.ny.gov: Driver re-evaluation program NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses dmv.ny.gov: Schedule and take a road test
Results post online that evening; if you pass, an interim license is available online and the photo license comes in about 2 weeks.
If you fail, wait at least 14 days to retest. Drivers 18 or older start with 6 months of probation; under state law, junior DJ and MJ licenses aren’t probationary.
dmv.ny.gov: Schedule and take a road test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 2: How to Keep Your License NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §501
Apply from age 16 with a parent’s or guardian’s consent. Where, when and with whom you may practice depends on the region (below).
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses DMV form ID-44 (PDF)
A parent or guardian certifies them on form MV-262, which you hand to the examiner at the road test.
Under 18, you can’t schedule the road test until the permit is at least 6 months old (time suspended doesn’t count).
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses dmv.ny.gov: Schedule and take a road test
The 5-hour course, or a state-approved driver-education course (certificate MV-285).
Pass and you get a junior license, which can’t be used in New York City. With driver education you can move up to a Class D license at 17; otherwise junior limits last until 18.
Junior permit: New York City junior permit: drive only 5 a.m.–9 p.m., in a dual-brake car, with a parent, guardian, driver-ed teacher or driving-school instructor aged 21+. No driving at all from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Junior license: With a junior license (DJ) you may not drive anywhere in New York City’s five boroughs. A 17-year-old who completes driver education and gets a Class D license may drive there.
Junior permit: Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk) junior permit: drive only 5 a.m.–9 p.m., with a parent, guardian, driver-ed teacher, driving-school instructor or an adult the parent names in writing (all 21+). No driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Junior license: Long Island junior license: drive alone only straight between home and a job, work-study, college or evening high school classes, driver ed or farm work (no job trips 9 p.m.–5 a.m.); otherwise a parent, guardian or instructor must ride along.
Junior permit: Upstate (every other county) junior permit: from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. any licensed driver 21+ may supervise; from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. only a parent, guardian, driver-ed teacher or driving-school instructor.
Junior license: Upstate junior license: drive alone 5 a.m.–9 p.m. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., drive alone only straight between home and work or a school course; any other night driving needs a licensed parent or guardian aboard.
Once you become a resident you have 30 days to switch.
If your license was issued at least 6 months ago and is valid or expired less than 24 months ago (DMV’s exchange page and form ID-44 say 24 months; the Driver’s Manual says one year), there’s no written or road test: in person at a DMV office you file form MV-44 with proof of your name worth at least 6 points, proof of your date of birth and proof of New York residence, plus your Social Security number (or, for a standard license, an affidavit that you’ve never been issued one); pass a vision test (or bring an eye test report); hand in your old license; and pay the fee. Otherwise take the written test, the course and the road test.
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses dmv.ny.gov: Exchange an out-of-state license DMV form ID-44 (PDF)
The Driver’s Manual says that once you become a resident, you must apply for a New York license within 30 days.
You take the vision, written and road tests and the 5-hour course. If the license isn’t in English, bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation to the road test. When you pass, you hand the foreign license to the examiner; DMV destroys it unless you give the examiner a written request to hold it, and you get it back only after returning your New York license.
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses dmv.ny.gov: Drivers from other countries
16. Applicants who are 16 or 17 need a parent’s or guardian’s consent, unless they’re 17 and have a driver-education certificate (MV-285).
NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 1: Driver Licenses DMV form ID-44 (PDF)
Yes. Every first-time applicant needs the 5-hour pre-licensing course, or driver education, before booking a road test.
No. A junior license (DJ) can’t be used anywhere in the five boroughs.
A 17-year-old with driver education who moves up to a Class D license can.
Under 18: at least 6 months after getting the permit.
Adults: once the course is done and a date is free, usually 3 to 5 weeks out.