530+ questions based on the official New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). Realistic exam simulator with instant scoring. No signup required.
20 random questions, untimed. The real NY DMV written test has 20 questions — you need 14 correct (70%), including at least 2 of 4 road sign questions.
Practice road signs exclusively — shapes, colors, and meanings. Perfect for targeting the sign section before your exam.
Test only the critical numbers — speed limits, distances, BAC limits, suspension periods. The most memorized facts on the real exam.
Fast 15-question session — perfect for a daily warm-up or quick review before bed.
Every question, random order, no timer. Best for deep study before your test date.
Key chapters from the official handbook — organized, summarized, and exam-focused. Read before your test!
Passed at the NY DMV this morning!! So nervous I almost rescheduled. Felt just like the practice here.
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Everything important from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) — organized for the exam
Memorize these numbers first. New York test questions are frequently built around specific distances, speeds, BAC levels, and time periods. These come up constantly.
Road signs are tested heavily. Know each sign's shape, color, and meaning. The real test often shows a sign description and asks what it means.
| Shape | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Octagon (8-sided) | STOP — always and only | Stop sign |
| Triangle (pointing down) | YIELD — give right of way | Yield sign |
| Diamond | WARNING — hazard ahead | Curve, pedestrian, deer |
| Pentagon (5-sided) | SCHOOL ZONE | School crossing |
| Pennant (triangle right) | NO PASSING ZONE | No-passing pennant |
| Round (circle) | RAILROAD CROSSING advance warning | RR crossing sign |
| Rectangle (vertical) | REGULATORY — rules you must follow | Speed limit, turn restrictions |
| Rectangle (horizontal) | GUIDE or INFORMATION | Street name, mile marker |
| X-shaped crossbuck | RAILROAD CROSSING — treat like yield | Railroad crossbuck |
| Color | Category | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Regulatory — STOP / PROHIBIT | Stop, yield, do not enter, wrong way, no-turn circles |
| Yellow | WARNING | General hazard warnings — curves, hills, intersections, animals |
| Orange | WORK ZONE / CONSTRUCTION | Construction ahead, road crew, slow down and drive with care. In New York work zones, a work-area speed limit as low as 25 mph can be posted and fines for speeding in a work zone are doubled. Speeding through a construction zone adds 8 license points (MV-21 ch. 4, p. 30; ch. 2, p. 22). |
| Green | GUIDE / DIRECTIONAL | Highway exits, distances, direction, mile markers |
| Blue | SERVICES | Gas, food, lodging, hospital, rest area |
| Brown | RECREATION / CULTURAL | Parks, campgrounds, historical sites, scenic areas |
| White | REGULATORY | Speed limits, lane rules, turn restrictions |
| Fluorescent Yellow-Green | WARNING — pedestrian / school / bike | School zones, crosswalks, bike lanes |
| Fluorescent Pink | INCIDENT MANAGEMENT | Crash clean-up, debris removal, temporary traffic control |
Right of way is the #1 failure topic on the NY DMV knowledge test. Master every scenario below — these questions will be on your exam.
| Signal | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| Solid GREEN | Proceed — but yield to traffic already in intersection |
| Solid YELLOW | Prepare to stop if safe; proceed only if stopping would be dangerous |
| Solid RED | Stop completely; may turn right on red after stop and yield (unless posted) |
| GREEN ARROW | Protected turn — oncoming traffic must stop. You may turn in the arrow's direction, but still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. |
| YELLOW ARROW | Protected turn is ending — prepare to yield or stop |
| Flashing YELLOW ARROW | Unprotected turn — you MAY turn but MUST yield to oncoming and pedestrians |
| Flashing RED | Treat exactly like a STOP sign — stop, yield, proceed when safe |
| Flashing YELLOW | Caution — slow down and proceed carefully. Do not need to stop. |
| RED + GREEN ARROW | Stop for through traffic; turn in direction of arrow only |
| Signal NOT working | Treat as ALL-WAY STOP — all traffic stops |
DWI questions appear on virtually every NY DMV knowledge test. Know the BAC levels, implied consent law, and penalties. New York uses "DWI" (Driving While Intoxicated).
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| BAC of 0.08+ (driver 21+) | Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). 1st conviction: fine $500–$1,000, up to 1 year in jail, license revoked at least 6 months. 2nd DWI within 10 years: fine $1,000–$5,000, up to 4 years prison, min 1-year revocation. 3rd+ within 10 years: up to $10,000 fine and up to 7 years prison (MV-21 ch. 9, p. 57). |
| Impairment below the legal BAC limit | A BAC of more than 0.05 is legal evidence of impairment in New York — DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol). Officers can also convict you based on testimony about your driving, appearance, and behavior, even without a chemical test. DWAI 1st offense = 90-day suspension, fine $300–$500, up to 15 days in jail (MV-21 ch. 9, pp. 55, 57). |
| Test refusal (implied consent) | You can lose your driver's license. Under New York's Implied Consent law, simply driving in NY means you have already consented to a chemical test (breath, blood, urine, or saliva). Refusal after a DWI arrest = minimum 1-year license revocation plus a $500 civil penalty, regardless of whether you are convicted of DWI. 2nd refusal within 5 years = min 18-month revocation + $750 civil penalty (MV-21 ch. 9, pp. 56, 58). |
| BAC — under 21 (Zero Tolerance) | Under New York's Zero Tolerance Law, any BAC of 0.02–0.07 for a driver under 21 = 6-month license suspension, a $100 suspension-termination fee and a $125 civil penalty. A second Zero Tolerance violation = revocation until age 21 or 1 year, whichever is longer. Under-21 drivers at 0.08+ BAC face regular DWI penalties plus an additional 1-year revocation (MV-21 ch. 9, pp. 57–58). |
| Minor purchasing or possessing alcohol (under 21) | Legal purchase and possession age for alcohol in New York is 21. A person under 21 caught in possession of, consuming, or purchasing alcohol faces a fine, community service, and possible participation in an alcohol awareness program (MV-21 ch. 9, p. 57). |
| DWI — causing death/injury | Vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter charges apply when alcohol- or drug-impaired driving causes serious injury or death. These are serious felonies with lengthy state prison terms and minimum license revocations well beyond the 6-month floor (MV-21 ch. 9, p. 58). |
School bus rules are heavily tested. In New York, when a stopped school bus flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from EITHER direction must stop at least 20 feet away — even on the opposite side of a divided highway, in front of schools, and in school parking lots. There are no exceptions based on road type (MV-21 ch. 6, p. 40).
| Location | Minimum Clearance |
|---|---|
| Fire hydrant | 15 ft — do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver stays in the vehicle to move it in an emergency (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Stop sign / yield sign / traffic light | 30 ft — do not park within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Pedestrian safety zone | 30 ft — do not park within 30 feet of a pedestrian safety area unless another distance is marked (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Crosswalk at intersection | 20 ft — do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Railroad crossing | 50 ft — do not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Fire station driveway | 20 ft on the same side of the street / 75 ft on the opposite side of the street (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| Driveway entrance (public or private) | Not in front of — always prohibited |
| Accessible (handicapped) space | Never — also do not park on the diagonal access lines (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 44) |
| Inside an intersection or on a crosswalk | Never — always illegal |
| Handicapped space (without placard) | Never park here |
| Bridge, overpass, or tunnel | Never — always prohibited (MV-21 ch. 7, p. 43) |
| No Stopping zone | Never stop here, for any reason |
| No Parking zone | No parking — may stop to load/unload |
The rule: always turn wheels so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic or is caught by the curb.
| Situation | Turn Wheels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Facing DOWNHILL, WITH curb | RIGHT (into curb) | Car rolls into curb and stops |
| Facing DOWNHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
| Facing UPHILL, WITH curb | LEFT (away from curb) | Car rolls back, caught by curb |
| Facing UPHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
GDL questions appear on many tests. Know New York's Graduated Driver Licensing program, the restrictions in each phase, and the specific ages, hold periods, and curfew hours.
| Equipment | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Headlights (on) | Required from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, in rain/snow/sleet/fog, and whenever you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead. Use low beams in fog, heavy rain, or snow to avoid glare. Parking lights alone are NOT legal while driving (MV-21 ch. 10, pp. 60, 62). |
| High beams (dim) | Dim high beams to low beam within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and within 200 feet when following another vehicle (even in a different lane). Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow — high beams reflect off precipitation and reduce visibility (MV-21 ch. 10, p. 62). |
| Horn | Use when needed to prevent a crash. Do NOT use to express anger, greet friends, or encourage others to move. Avoid around blind pedestrians and animal-drawn vehicles (MV-21 ch. 8, p. 54). |
| Turn signals | Signal continuously during the last 100 feet before a turn or lane change. In heavy traffic or at higher speeds, signal earlier. Signal even if you don't see another vehicle — a vehicle may appear from a blind spot (MV-21 ch. 5, p. 36; ch. 6, p. 39). |
| Tinted windows | Windshield and front side-window tint must allow at least 70% of light through; anything darker than 30% tint is illegal in New York. Tinted windows may not be used to evade view by a police officer (MV-21 ch. 3, p. 28). |
| TVs / video screens visible to driver | Prohibited while vehicle is in motion (navigation is excepted) |
| Muffler | Must prevent excessive or unusual noise |
| Brakes | Foot brake must bring the vehicle to a safe, straight stop from all legal speeds. A separate parking brake is required and must hold the vehicle stationary (MV-21 ch. 8, p. 54). |
| Wipers | Must adequately clean the windshield when used |
| Tail lights / rear reflector | Red tail lights and red reflectors must be visible at least 500 feet to the rear. The rear license plate must be illuminated at night (MV-21 ch. 8, p. 54). |
| Tires | Tires must have at least 2/32 of an inch of tread. Wear bars appear in the grooves when tread reaches that depth (MV-21 ch. 8, p. 54). |
| Hazard lights | For use when parked/stopped in an emergency — not while driving normally |
| Seat belts & child restraints | New York is a primary-enforcement state — police can stop a vehicle solely for a belt violation. Driver and all passengers age 16+ must wear a seat belt, one per person (fine up to $50 each). Children under 4 must be in a federally approved child safety seat; ages 4–7 must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt; ages 8–15 must wear a seat belt. Rear-facing restraint required until at least age 2. Driver fine for each unrestrained passenger under 16 is $25–$100 plus 3 license points (MV-21 ch. 8, pp. 48–49). |
A proven 4-phase approach that builds real understanding — not just memorization. Work through each phase at your own pace, and you'll walk into the NY DMV ready to pass on your first try.
| Your Score | Status | What to Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Under 75% | Needs more work | Go back to Phase 3 — run Weak Spots mode on your wrong answers. Re-read the Study Guide for those topics. Then try the simulator again. |
| 75% – 89% | Almost there | Run Weak Spots on what you missed, then take the simulator again. You're close — one more round should get you there. |
| 90%+ | Ready! 🎉 | Run the simulator one more time to confirm. Score 90%+ twice → you are ready for the real test. |
Before you walk into the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office:
20 questions · need 70% (14 correct) · you can miss up to 6 overall, but no more than 2 of the 4 sign questions
The official handbook from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles — the single source of truth for the written test.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) · Revised January 2026 · Published by New York NY DMV
Download Official Manual →Source: New York NY DMV · Free download
We've distilled the official manual into 12 focused study sections. Every number, rule, and fact verified against the handbook. Click any topic to start studying.
The New York DMV knowledge test for a Class D, DJ, M, MJ, or E license has 20 multiple-choice questions. You must answer 14 of 20 correctly (70%) to pass, and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions must be correct. Always verify the current format at dmv.ny.gov.
DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. In New York, drivers 21 and older commit DWI at a BAC of 0.08 or higher. Drivers under 21 are in violation under the Zero Tolerance Law at any BAC of 0.02 or higher, and commercial drivers are prohibited at 0.04. Aggravated DWI applies at 0.18 or higher (MV-21 ch. 9, pp. 55, 57).
New York uses the two-second rule. Pick a fixed object near or above the road (sign, tree, overpass); when the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach the object before finishing the count, you are following too closely. Increase to at least 3 or 4 seconds in bad weather, when following a large truck, or at higher speeds (MV-21 ch. 8, p. 47).
You must be at least 16 to apply for a New York Learner Permit. You must hold the permit at least 6 months before a road test can be scheduled, and most applicants must also complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course. A full Class D license is issued at age 18, or age 17 with a driver-education Certificate of Completion (MV-21 ch. 1, pp. 6, 10, 14).
Yes, this practice site is completely free. Every question is verified against the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21).
Call 911 in any emergency. You can also contact DMV at 1-518-486-9786 for general information and the 24-hour Highway Emergency number *347 (*DHS) on your cell to reach the NY State Police (MV-21 ch. 10, p. 65).
The New York DMV written knowledge test is administered by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) and contains 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). You must answer at least 14 of 20 questions (70%) correctly to pass, and — unique to New York — you must also answer at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correctly. A few standouts: New York is a primary-enforcement seat belt state, handheld cell phone use is a 5-point, up to $200 violation, and the school-bus stopping law requires traffic in BOTH directions to stop at least 20 feet away, with no divided-highway exception.
New York uses DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) with a 0.08% BAC threshold for drivers 21+, 0.02–0.07% for drivers under 21 (Zero Tolerance), 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.18% for Aggravated DWI. A 1st DWI conviction carries a $500–$1,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail, and a minimum 6-month license revocation. A 2nd DWI within 10 years: $1,000–$5,000 fine, up to 4 years in state prison (Class E felony), minimum 1-year revocation. A 3rd+ within 10 years is a Class D felony with up to $10,000 fine and up to 7 years in prison. Chemical-test refusal under New York's Implied Consent law is a separate offense that carries its own minimum 1-year revocation and $500 civil penalty. Every fact on this page is verified against the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) published by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
New York's Graduated Driver Licensing program: the minimum age for a Learner Permit (Class DJ/MJ) is 16. Practice driving requires a supervising driver at least 21 years old, licensed for that vehicle type, seated in the front seat. The junior permit must be held for at least 6 months before a road test can be scheduled, and most applicants must also complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course (MV-278). On a Class DJ Junior License, drivers face a night restriction of 9 pm–5 am (rules vary slightly by region: NYC, Long Island, Upstate), cannot carry more than 1 passenger under 21 unless they are immediate family, cannot drive in New York City at any time except with a driver-education instructor, and face a 120-day license suspension on a 1st conviction for texting or hand-held cell phone use (1-year revocation on a 2nd within 6 months). Full Class D comes at age 18, or 17 with a driver-education Certificate of Completion.
This free practice test is verified against the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) and is built for anyone testing at NY DMV driver license offices in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, and White Plains, and every other New York location. The Class D permit application fee plus initial learner-permit fee vary by age and are paid at the DMV office. Free practice here, no signup, no paywall.
Permit rules vary between states. If you or someone you're helping is testing in a different state, we have free practice tests verified against each state's current manual:
Try our neighbor-state practice tests: New Jersey, Pennsylvania