New York Driver License: Driver Licenses

25 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Driver Licenses. Free, no account needed.

1. A 15-year-old moves to New York holding a valid driver license issued by another state. Under what condition may they legally drive in New York?

Only if accompanied by a licensed adult
Only for the first 30 days after moving
None — no one under 16 may drive in New York, even with an out-of-state license
Only during daylight hours

Answer: C — None — no one under 16 may drive in New York, even with an out-of-state license

The minimum driving age of 16 applies to everyone in New York, regardless of an out-of-state license.

2. A driver relocates to New York and starts a job there. Within how many days of becoming a resident must they surrender their old license and obtain a New York license?

30 days
60 days
90 days
10 days

Answer: A — 30 days

A new resident must turn in the out-of-state license and get a New York license within 30 days of becoming a resident.

3. A 17-year-old wants to obtain a standard Class D operator license rather than waiting until 18. What allows this?

Completing a driver education Certificate of Completion
Holding a junior permit for six months
Nothing — 17-year-olds cannot get a Class D license
Completing the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course alone

Answer: A — Completing a driver education Certificate of Completion

Class D's minimum age is 18, or 17 with a driver education Certificate of Completion.

4. A 16-year-old holds a Class DJ junior operator license. What is the maximum GVWR of a vehicle they may drive on it?

26,000 pounds
3,000 pounds
10,000 pounds
14,000 pounds

Answer: C — 10,000 pounds

Class DJ covers vehicles of 10,000 pounds GVWR or less.

5. A livery driver wants to carry passengers for hire without holding a commercial driver license. What is the maximum number of passengers the vehicle may carry under a Class E license?

15 or more
20 or fewer
8 or fewer
14 or fewer

Answer: D — 14 or fewer

Class E covers carrying passengers for hire in a vehicle for 14 or fewer passengers; 15 or more requires a CDL.

6. A company runs a vehicle combination with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds towing a unit over 10,000 pounds. What license does the driver need?

A Class E license
A Class D license
A commercial driver license (CDL)
A Class D license with an "R" endorsement

Answer: C — A commercial driver license (CDL)

A CDL is required for a combination over 26,000 pounds with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds.

7. A New York resident wants a license that can be used instead of a passport for a cruise to Bermuda. Which license feature provides this?

Enhanced Driver License (EDL)
"R" endorsement
REAL ID
Class E license

Answer: A — Enhanced Driver License (EDL)

The EDL serves instead of a passport at land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

8. An applicant for a first license is assembling documents to prove their name. What total point value must those documents reach?

Four points or more
Three points or more
Two points or more
Six points or more

Answer: D — Six points or more

Proof of name requires documents totaling six points or more, with at least one bearing the applicant's signature.

9. An applicant presents a current New York photo non-driver ID as proof of name. How many points is it worth toward the required total?

6 points
3 points
2 points
4 points

Answer: A — 6 points

A New York photo license, permit or non-driver ID, current or expired no more than two years, is worth 6 points.

10. A first-time applicant completes all requirements and receives their license. For how long is a first license generally issued?

Up to 2 years
Up to 5 years
Up to 8 years
Up to 10 years

Answer: B — Up to 5 years

A first license is issued for up to 5 years, expiring on the holder's month and day of birth.

11. An applicant has 20/40 vision in one eye and weaker vision in the other, correctable with glasses. Do they meet the vision standard for licensing?

Yes, but only without corrective lenses
Yes — only one eye must reach 20/40, with or without corrective lenses
No — vision must be at least 20/20 in one eye
No — both eyes must independently reach 20/40

Answer: B — Yes — only one eye must reach 20/40, with or without corrective lenses

The vision standard is 20/40 in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

12. A knowledge test applicant answers 13 of the 20 questions correctly, including three of the four road-sign questions. Do they pass?

Yes — 13 out of 20 is a passing score
Yes — they met the road-sign minimum
No — at least 14 correct answers are required
No — because they missed a road-sign question

Answer: C — No — at least 14 correct answers are required

Passing requires at least 14 correct answers overall, including at least two of the four road-sign questions; meeting the road-sign minimum alone is not enough.

13. A 30-year-old learner permit holder practises in a town outside New York City and Long Island. The supervisor is a friend who is 21, licensed for that type of vehicle, and seated beside them in the front seat. Is this a valid supervision arrangement?

No — the supervisor must be at least 25 years old
No — the supervisor must hold a commercial driver license
No — the supervisor must be a parent, guardian or driving instructor everywhere in the state
Yes — a licensed driver at least 21, licensed for that type of vehicle and seated beside the driver, is enough there

Answer: D — Yes — a licensed driver at least 21, licensed for that type of vehicle and seated beside the driver, is enough there

A licensed supervisor at least 21, licensed for the vehicle and seated beside the driver, is sufficient; the parent/guardian/instructor rule applies only in New York City and Long Island.

14. A learner permit holder wants to practice on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County. Is this permitted?

No — permit holders may not drive on that parkway
Yes, if supervised by a licensed driver
Yes, during daytime hours only
Yes, if accompanied by a parent

Answer: A — No — permit holders may not drive on that parkway

Permit holders are barred from the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River and Taconic State parkways in Westchester County, regardless of supervision.

15. A 16-year-old junior permit holder in New York City wants to practice driving at 10 p.m. with a parent in the car. Is this allowed?

No — junior permits are not valid in New York City at any hour
Yes — a parent may supervise at any hour
Yes, but only on weekends
No — practice is never allowed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in New York City

Answer: D — No — practice is never allowed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in New York City

In New York City, junior permit practice is limited to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and never allowed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., regardless of who supervises.

16. A junior permit holder is preparing for the road test. What is the minimum total practice driving required, and how much of it must be after sunset?

50 hours total, at least 5 after sunset
30 hours total, at least 10 after sunset
20 hours total, at least 15 after sunset
50 hours total, at least 15 after sunset

Answer: D — 50 hours total, at least 15 after sunset

The requirement is at least 50 hours of practice, including at least 15 hours after sunset.

17. A driver completes the DMV's Point and Insurance Reduction Program, hoping it will satisfy the safe driving course requirement needed before booking a road test. Does it count?

Yes, but only for junior permit holders
No — the Point and Insurance Reduction Program does not satisfy this requirement
Yes, but only if taken online
Yes — it fully satisfies the safe driving course requirement

Answer: B — No — the Point and Insurance Reduction Program does not satisfy this requirement

The Point and Insurance Reduction Program does not satisfy the safe driving course requirement.

18. A junior permit holder wants to schedule a road test. What is the minimum length of time they must have already held the permit?

30 days
One year
Three months
Six months

Answer: D — Six months

A junior permit must be held at least six months before the road test.

19. A 17-year-old holds a junior (Class DJ) license and lives in New York City. May they drive there?

Yes, between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Yes, only to and from school
Yes, if accompanied by any adult
No — a junior license is not valid at all in New York City

Answer: D — No — a junior license is not valid at all in New York City

A junior license is not valid at all in New York City.

20. A junior license holder on Long Island wants to drive alone at 7 p.m. directly from home to their after-school job. Is this permitted?

Yes, but only if a parent is also in the car
Yes — driving alone directly between home and employment is allowed between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
No — junior license holders may never drive alone on Long Island
No — unaccompanied driving is only allowed upstate

Answer: B — Yes — driving alone directly between home and employment is allowed between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.

On Long Island, driving alone directly between home and employment is permitted from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

21. A junior license holder wants to drive with two friends, ages 17 and 18, who are not related to them. Is this allowed?

Yes, as long as everyone wears a seat belt
No — junior license holders may never carry any passengers
Yes, up to three passengers under 21 are allowed
No — no more than one passenger under 21 is allowed unless they are immediate family

Answer: D — No — no more than one passenger under 21 is allowed unless they are immediate family

A junior license holder may carry no more than one passenger under 21 unless the passengers are immediate family.

22. A junior license holder upstate wants to drive alone directly to their part-time job. What document must they carry to prove the trip is permitted?

A Certificate of Employment (MV-58A) or, upstate, a dated signed employer letter
Verbal permission from a parent
A recent pay stub
Their learner permit

Answer: A — A Certificate of Employment (MV-58A) or, upstate, a dated signed employer letter

Driving alone to work requires a Certificate of Employment (MV-58A) or, upstate only, a dated, signed employer letter with the required details.

23. A driver moves to a new address. Within how many days must they report the change to the DMV?

10 days
60 days
30 days
45 days

Answer: A — 10 days

A new address must be reported within 10 days, by mail on form MV-232 or online.

24. A driver renewing their license online submits an Eye Test Report for a vision test taken eight months earlier, which the health care professional determined valid for one year. Is this acceptable?

Yes — the test must be within the past six months, or up to a year at the professional's discretion
No — vision tests are not accepted for online renewal
Yes, any test within the past two years is accepted
No — the report must be dated within 30 days

Answer: A — Yes — the test must be within the past six months, or up to a year at the professional's discretion

The Eye Test Report must show a vision test passed within the past six months, or up to a year as the health care professional determines.

25. A new resident of New York was previously licensed in a country other than Canada. Besides passing the vision test and completing the safe driving course, what else must they do?

Nothing else — the vision test suffices
Only surrender the foreign license, with no additional tests
Pass both the written and road tests
Only pass the written test

Answer: C — Pass both the written and road tests

A new resident licensed in a country other than Canada must pass the vision test, complete the safe driving course, and pass the written and road tests.