New York Permit Practice Test 1
20 questions, the same length as the DMV test. You need 14 correct to pass, plus 2 of 4 in the road signs section. Pick an answer to see whether you are right and why.
Questions from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), last checked November 1, 2026. Your progress is saved on this device.
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Question 1 of 20 · Licensing rules · Rules of the road section
After buying liability insurance, you receive two insurance identification cards. One is shown when registering the vehicle. What should you do with the other card?
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Correct answer: C. Keep it with the vehicle
One card goes to the DMV with the registration application, and the second one must stay with the vehicle.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “Registration and Title”, PDF page 25. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-LIC-0056
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Question 2 of 20 · Safe driving practices · Rules of the road section
In New York, what is the least amount of tread that a passenger car tire must have to be legal?
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Correct answer: C. 2/32 of an inch
State law requires passenger car tires to keep at least 2/32 of an inch of tread. Wear bars show across the grooves once that depth is reached.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “VEHICLE CONDITION”, PDF page 53. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SAF-0028
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Question 3 of 20 · Road signs · Road signs section
A sign reads "Road Work 1,500 feet" and you are traveling at 60 miles per hour. About how long until you reach the work area?
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Correct answer: B. About 17 seconds
At 60 mph you cover 1,500 feet in roughly 17 seconds, so you should slow down promptly after seeing the sign.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY IN WORK ZONES”, PDF page 49. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SIG-0013
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Question 4 of 20 · Right of way · Rules of the road section
You are stopped at a red light and plan to turn right on red once it is allowed. Which bicyclist should you specifically watch for before turning?
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Correct answer: B. One coming up beside you from your right rear
Before a right turn on red, a driver must stop completely and check for cyclists approaching from the right and behind. Such a rider can be hidden from view and could be struck during the turn.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “IN-LINE SKATERS, SKATE BOARDERS”, PDF page 70. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-ROW-0016
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Question 5 of 20 · Licensing rules · Rules of the road section
In NY, a driver with a junior license is convicted for the first time of texting while driving. What license penalty applies?
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Correct answer: A. A 120-day suspension
Probationary and junior license holders convicted a first time of texting or using a hand-held phone face a 120-day suspension. Revocation applies only to later convictions.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “USING A CELLULAR OR MOBILE TELEPHONE”, PDF page 52. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-LIC-0071
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Question 6 of 20 · Licensing rules · Rules of the road section
A 17-year-old in NY passed the road test and has a junior license. They carry a completion certificate but never exchanged the license for a senior one. What applies?
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Correct answer: A. Junior restrictions still apply until age 18
Without changing to a senior license, a junior driver remains under junior restrictions until turning 18. Simply having the completion certificate does not lift them.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “THE LEARNER PERMIT AND ROAD TEST”, PDF page 14. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-LIC-0039
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Question 7 of 20 · Safe driving practices · Rules of the road section
The front wheels of your vehicle start skidding on snow. What should you do at first?
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Correct answer: B. Ease off the gas and hold off on steering
For a front-wheel skid, lift off the gas and shift to neutral or push in the clutch, without steering right away. Once the sliding slows the car and traction returns, you can steer where you want to go.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “HOW TO AVOID COLLISIONS WITH DEER”, PDF page 64. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SAF-0051
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Question 8 of 20 · Safe driving practices · Rules of the road section
In NY, a driver's vehicle has several advanced driver assistance features. Who is responsible for operating the vehicle safely while those features are active?
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Correct answer: D. The driver, who must stay engaged at all times
These features only assist with driving and do not drive for you. The driver remains responsible for safe operation of the vehicle at all times.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems”, PDF page 78. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SAF-0057
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Question 9 of 20 · Signals & pavement markings · Road signs section
A signal above your lane shows a flashing yellow X. What does this lane control light tell you about the lane?
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Correct answer: D. The lane may be used only for turning left
A flashing yellow X over a lane means the lane is reserved for left turns only. A steady yellow X means move out, and a red X means keep out.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “PAVEMENT MARKINGS”, PDF page 31. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SGM-0004
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Question 10 of 20 · Sharing the road · Rules of the road section
You have just passed a large truck on a two-lane road. When is it safe to move back into your lane in front of it?
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Correct answer: A. When the truck's entire front end is visible in your mirror
Passing a large vehicle takes more time and space than passing a car. Return only after you can see the whole front of the truck in your mirror, so you do not cut it off.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “LARGE VEHICLES”, PDF page 75. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SHR-0016
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Question 11 of 20 · Signals & pavement markings · Road signs section
You are driving in New York City and stop at a steady red light to turn right. No sign is posted about turning on red. What are you allowed to do?
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Correct answer: B. Wait for green, because right turns on red are banned in the city without a sign permitting it
Turning on red is prohibited throughout New York City unless a posted sign specifically allows it. Without such a sign, you must wait for the green light.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “PAVEMENT MARKINGS”, PDF page 31. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SGM-0001
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Question 12 of 20 · Sharing the road · Rules of the road section
A bicyclist is riding in the travel lane of a roundabout just ahead of your car. What is the correct way to handle this?
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Correct answer: C. Stay behind the bicycle rather than passing it
Bicyclists may ride in the lane of a roundabout like any other vehicle. Drivers should not pass a bicycle inside the roundabout.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “ROUNDABOUTS”, PDF page 50. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SHR-0003
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Question 13 of 20 · Licensing rules · Rules of the road section
A person with a NY learner permit wants to practice driving a car. Which description fits someone who may serve as the supervising driver?
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Correct answer: B. A 21-year-old with a car license who sits beside you up front
A permit holder's supervisor must be 21 or older, hold a license valid for the vehicle being driven, and sit in the front seat. The other choices fail on age, seating, or license type.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “THE LEARNER PERMIT AND ROAD TEST”, PDF page 11. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-LIC-0020
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Question 14 of 20 · Speed limits · Rules of the road section
Which roundabout design feature is considered the most important for keeping vehicles slow and operating safely as they enter the circle?
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Correct answer: C. Enough deflection, or curving, of the entering path
Roundabouts rely on curved entrances that force drivers to turn and slow down. The handbook calls adequate deflection of entering vehicles the most important factor for safe operation.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “ROUNDABOUTS”, PDF page 50. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SPD-0003
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Question 15 of 20 · Right of way · Rules of the road section
A school bus ahead has stopped and its red lights are flashing. About how far from the bus should you bring your vehicle to a stop?
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Correct answer: B. At least 20 feet away
Traffic must stop before reaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, and drivers should keep at least 20 feet of space from it.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “BEING PASSED”, PDF page 40. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-ROW-0008
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Question 16 of 20 · Road signs · Road signs section
In NY, you speed through a marked work zone on a weekend when no workers or equipment are anywhere in sight. How does this affect the fine you could get?
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Correct answer: A. The fine is doubled even with no workers present
Speeding fines are doubled in work zones whether or not workers or work vehicles are present. An empty-looking zone does not lower or change the penalty.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY IN WORK ZONES”, PDF page 49. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SIG-0026
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Question 17 of 20 · Alcohol & drugs · Rules of the road section
In New York, a driver's blood alcohol content above which level counts as legal evidence that the driver is impaired?
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Correct answer: B. More than .05 percent
A BAC above .05 percent is legal evidence of impairment. The .08 level is evidence of intoxication, and .18 is evidence of aggravated DWI.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “ALCOHOL, OTHER DRUGS AND THE LAW”, PDF page 55. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-ALC-0012
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Question 18 of 20 · Licensing rules · Rules of the road section
An applicant answers 15 of the 20 written test questions correctly but misses three of the four road sign questions. What is the outcome?
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Correct answer: B. Fail, because at least two sign questions must be correct
Passing takes both an overall score of at least 14 and at least two correct sign answers. With only one sign question right, this applicant fails despite a high total.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “WHEN YOU APPLY FOR YOUR FIRST”, PDF page 10. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-LIC-0013
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Question 19 of 20 · Parking · Rules of the road section
You are looking for a place to leave your car near a railroad crossing. In NY, how close to the crossing may you park?
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Correct answer: A. No closer than 50 feet
NY does not allow you to park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. The shorter distances belong to other places, such as hydrants, crosswalks and stop signs.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “PARKING REGULATIONS”, PDF page 43. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-PRK-0013
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Question 20 of 20 · Safe driving practices · Rules of the road section
Another vehicle is overtaking you on the left on a two-lane road. What is the best way to respond to help the pass go safely?
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Correct answer: C. Slow down slightly and stay centered in your lane
When you are being passed, ease off the gas a little and keep to the middle of your lane. Resume normal speed once the other vehicle is safely ahead.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), “BEING PASSED”, PDF page 40. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NY-SAF-0012