Photo: Enrique, Pexels
The New York DMV permit test has 20 multiple-choice questions. You pass with 14 correct, and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be right whatever your total. This page gives you two full mock tests in that format, 40 original questions in all, each with the answer and the part of the New York State Driver’s Manual (MV-21) it comes from. They are unofficial practice, not the DMV’s own questions.
How the New York permit test is scored
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 20 multiple choice |
| Pass mark | 14 correct (70%) |
| Road sign rule | At least 2 of the 4 sign questions correct |
| Topics | Rules of the road, safe driving, road signs, alcohol and drug laws |
Score each mock test below the same way: count your total, then check your sign questions (the first four of each test) separately. A total of 16 with only 1 sign right is still a fail. More on test day in the New York DMV permit test guide.
Mock test 1 (questions 1 to 20)
Road sign questions (1 to 4)
1. Most New York warning signs are which color and shape?
- A. Red octagon
- B. Green rectangle
- C. Yellow diamond
- D. White circle
Answer: C. Warning signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols, and most are diamond-shaped. Manual: Chapter 4, warning signs.
2. A green rectangular sign with white letters is most likely a:
- A. Regulatory sign
- B. School sign
- C. Destination or direction (guide) sign
- D. Construction sign
Answer: C. Green guide signs show destinations, directions and distances. Manual: Chapter 4, destination signs.
3. A sign with a red circle and a slash over a U-shaped arrow means:
- A. U-turn ahead
- B. No U-turn
- C. Road curves sharply
- D. U-turns allowed on red
Answer: B. The red slashed circle forbids the action shown. Manual: Chapter 4, regulatory signs.
4. A round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR warns you:
- A. Of a rest area
- B. That the right lane is closing
- C. Of a railroad crossing ahead
- D. To reduce speed for a roundabout
Answer: C. The round sign is the advance warning for a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen. Manual: Chapter 4 and Chapter 10, railroad crossings.
Rules of the road and safe driving (5 to 20)
5. A flashing red traffic light means:
- A. Turn right only
- B. Proceed with caution without stopping
- C. The same as a STOP sign: stop, yield, and go when it is safe
- D. The light will soon turn green
Answer: C. The manual treats a flashing red signal exactly like a STOP sign. Manual: Chapter 4, traffic signals.
6. In New York City, may you turn right on a steady red light?
- A. Only between midnight and 6 a.m.
- B. Yes, after a full stop, unless a sign forbids it
- C. No, not unless a sign allows it
- D. Yes, without stopping if clear
Answer: C. Elsewhere in the state you may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. In New York City you may not, unless a sign permits it. Manual: Chapter 4, traffic signals.
7. If no speed limit is posted outside New York City, the most you may drive is:
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 65 mph
Answer: C. The statewide limit is 55 mph unless another limit is posted. New York City’s limit is 25 mph unless posted otherwise. Manual: Chapter 8, speed.
8. The speed limit in New York City, unless another limit is posted, is:
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: B. The manual gives 25 mph as the New York City limit when no other limit is posted. Manual: Chapter 8, speed.
9. A school bus stopped ahead of you has its red lights flashing. You are on the opposite side of a divided highway. You must:
- A. Keep going, because a median separates you
- B. Stop before you reach the bus
- C. Slow to 15 mph
- D. Sound your horn and pass
Answer: B. In New York, traffic from either direction must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, including on the opposite side of a divided highway. See New York school bus and move over laws. Manual: Chapter 6, passing school buses.
10. How far from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights should you stop?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 10 feet
- C. At least 20 feet
- D. At least 5 feet
Answer: C. The manual says stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. Manual: Chapter 6.
11. You hear a siren and see an ambulance coming toward you in the opposite lane of a two-way road. You must:
- A. Keep driving, because it is on the other side
- B. Stop in your lane immediately
- C. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
- D. Speed up to get out of its way
Answer: C. New York requires you to pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle from any direction, even one in the opposite lane of a two-way road. If you are in an intersection, clear it first. Manual: Chapter 5, emergency vehicles.
12. A driver under 21 has a BAC of .03. Under New York’s Zero Tolerance Law, the license will be:
- A. Suspended for 30 days
- B. Marked with a warning only
- C. Suspended for six months
- D. Unaffected, because it is below .08
Answer: C. A BAC from .02 to .07 for a driver under 21 brings a six-month suspension. A .02 BAC could come from one drink. See New York DWI and Zero Tolerance. Manual: Chapter 9.
13. In New York, a BAC of more than .05 is legal evidence that you are:
- A. Below any limit that matters
- B. Impaired
- C. Sober
- D. Aggravated DWI
Answer: B. More than .05 is evidence of impairment, .08 or higher is evidence of intoxication, and .18 or more is evidence of aggravated DWI. Manual: Chapter 9.
14. Under New York’s implied consent law, by driving in the state you have:
- A. Agreed to let police search your trunk
- B. Already given your consent to a chemical test if arrested for an alcohol or drug violation
- C. Waived your right to a lawyer
- D. Agreed to carry a first aid kit
Answer: B. Refusing a chemical test leads to license suspension at arraignment, and the refusal can be raised in court. Manual: Chapter 9.
15. You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant (unless a licensed driver stays in the car)?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 25 feet
Answer: C. No parking, stopping or standing within 15 feet of a hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it. Manual: Chapter 7, parking rules.
16. Parking or standing is not allowed within how many feet of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: C. The limit is 30 feet. It is 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection. Manual: Chapter 7, parking rules.
17. How far ahead must you signal a turn or lane change in New York?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 25 feet
- C. At least 500 feet
- D. At least 100 feet
Answer: D. The law requires a turn or lane change signal at least 100 feet ahead. Manual: Chapter 5, turns.
18. To check your following distance, the New York manual recommends the:
- A. Two-second rule
- B. One-car-length rule
- C. Ten-second rule
- D. Half-mile rule
Answer: A. Pick a fixed object; when the car ahead passes it, count “one thousand one, one thousand two.” If you reach the object before you finish, you are too close. Increase the gap in bad conditions. Manual: Chapter 8, space cushion.
19. You must switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:
- A. 200 feet
- B. 300 feet
- C. 500 feet
- D. 1,000 feet
Answer: C. Use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet of a vehicle ahead, even if it is in another lane. Manual: Chapter 10, night driving.
20. New York law requires headlights when:
- A. Only in fog
- B. You are on a highway only
- C. Weather conditions require windshield wipers
- D. It is after 10 p.m. only
Answer: C. Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, when visibility is under 1,000 feet, and whenever you need wipers for rain, snow, sleet or fog. Daytime running lights do not count. Manual: Chapter 10.
Mock test 2 (questions 21 to 40)
Road sign questions (21 to 24)
21. The only eight-sided sign you will see means:
- A. Yield
- B. No turn on red
- C. Do not enter
- D. Stop
Answer: D. The octagon is reserved for STOP. Stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or where you can see cross traffic if there are no markings. Manual: Chapter 4, regulatory signs.
22. A yellow pentagon-shaped sign (shaped like a house) warns of:
- A. A hospital
- B. A school zone or school crossing
- C. A deer crossing
- D. A park
Answer: B. The five-sided shape marks schools and school crossings. Manual: Chapter 4, warning signs.
23. An orange diamond sign with a flagger symbol means:
- A. A work zone with a flagger ahead
- B. A border crossing
- C. A railroad flagman only
- D. A parade route
Answer: A. Orange signs mark work zones. Obey flaggers, slow down and expect lane changes. Manual: Chapter 4 and Chapter 8, work zones.
24. A downward-pointing triangle with a red border means:
- A. Danger, road ends
- B. Yield the right of way
- C. Stop
- D. Merge ahead without slowing
Answer: B. The YIELD sign tells you to slow down and give way, stopping if necessary. Manual: Chapter 4, regulatory signs.
Rules of the road and safe driving (25 to 40)
25. What is the minimum age for a New York learner permit?
- A. 15
- B. 15 and a half
- C. 16
- D. 17
Answer: C. You can apply for a learner permit at 16. Students from 15 years and 11 months can take the written test at a participating school, but the permit itself is issued at 16. Manual: Chapter 1, driver licenses.
26. How long must a junior permit be held before the road test?
- A. 30 days
- B. 3 months
- C. 6 months
- D. 12 months
Answer: C. A junior permit must be held in valid status for at least six months before the road test. Manual: Chapter 1.
27. The MV-262 certifies how much supervised practice before a junior driver’s road test?
- A. 30 hours, 5 after sunset
- B. 40 hours, 10 after sunset
- C. 50 hours, 15 after sunset
- D. 65 hours, 10 after sunset
Answer: C. A parent or guardian certifies at least 50 hours of practice, at least 15 after sunset. Manual: Chapter 1, preparing for the road test.
28. With a junior license, how many passengers under 21 who are not immediate family may ride with you?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. None
- D. No limit
Answer: A. Junior drivers may not carry more than one passenger under 21 unless they are immediate family. Everyone must wear a seat belt, one per person. See New York junior license rules. Manual: Chapter 1, junior operator restrictions.
29. Where may a New York learner permit holder never drive, even with a supervisor?
- A. In any parking lot
- B. On any state highway
- C. On any road after dark
- D. On bridges and tunnels of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
Answer: D. Permit holders may not drive in DMV road test areas, on New York City park streets, on Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority bridges and tunnels, or on four named Westchester parkways. Manual: Chapter 1, permit restrictions.
30. How many points does a conviction for passing a stopped school bus add to your New York record?
- A. 2
- B. 4
- C. 5
- D. 8
Answer: D. Passing a stopped school bus carries 8 points. Using a mobile phone or portable electronic device while driving carries 5. Manual: Chapter 2.
31. How many points does using a hand-held mobile phone or portable electronic device while driving add?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 5
- D. 11
Answer: C. It carries 5 points. Junior and probationary drivers also face suspension for a phone or texting conviction. Manual: Chapter 2 and Chapter 8.
32. If you get 11 or more points within 24 months in New York, then:
- A. Nothing happens until 20 points
- B. Your license may be suspended
- C. You must retake the permit test only
- D. Points are erased automatically
Answer: B. DMV notifies you by mail that your license will be suspended. Manual: Chapter 2, point system.
33. When railroad crossing lights flash and gates come down, you must stop at least:
- A. 5 feet from the tracks
- B. 15 feet from the tracks
- C. 50 feet from the tracks
- D. 100 feet from the tracks
Answer: B. Stop at least 15 feet from the tracks and do not cross until the lights and bell stop and the gates are fully up. Never drive around a gate. Manual: Chapter 4 and Chapter 10.
34. Double solid yellow center lines mean:
- A. You may not pass or change lanes across them, except to turn left into or out of a driveway or to make a permitted U-turn
- B. The lane is for buses
- C. You may pass if the road is clear
- D. You are entering a one-way street
Answer: A. Double solid lines mean no passing in either direction. Manual: Chapter 4, pavement markings.
35. On a two-way road, you may not pass another vehicle within how many feet of a railroad crossing?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 300 feet
Answer: B. Passing is not allowed within 100 feet of a railroad crossing on a two-way road, or within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel or viaduct when your view is obstructed. Manual: Chapter 6, passing.
36. Before changing lanes, mirrors alone are not enough because:
- A. The law requires you to honk first
- B. Mirrors are illegal to use while moving
- C. Mirrors show only the road ahead
- D. Even well-adjusted mirrors leave blind spots, so you must look over your shoulder
Answer: D. Always take a quick look over your shoulder before changing lanes or passing. Manual: Chapter 6, passing.
37. In heavy rain your tires start riding on a film of water and the steering feels light. This is called:
- A. Fishtailing
- B. Hydroplaning
- C. Skidding
- D. Overdriving
Answer: B. Hydroplaning can cause a complete loss of traction and steering. Slow down even more; good tires with deep tread help prevent it. Manual: Chapter 10.
38. You are on a slippery expressway posted at 55 mph. Driving at 50 mph:
- A. Can still get you a ticket if it is not a reasonable speed for the conditions
- B. Is required as a minimum speed
- C. Is always legal because it is below the limit
- D. Is too slow and illegal
Answer: A. The manual warns that an officer can ticket a speed that is not reasonable for hazardous conditions, even below the posted limit. Manual: Chapter 8, speed.
39. When a vehicle is passing you on the left, you should:
- A. Move left to block it
- B. Speed up
- C. Stay in your lane, keep right and do not speed up
- D. Brake hard
Answer: C. Help the passing driver get by safely by holding your lane and speed or slowing slightly. Manual: Chapter 6, being passed.
40. Before a school bus stops to let children off, its driver will usually turn on:
- A. Hazard lights only
- B. Flashing yellow lights
- C. High beams
- D. A green light
Answer: B. Flashing yellow means the bus is about to stop; slow down and get ready. Flashing red means it has stopped and you must stop too. Manual: Chapter 6.
Check your score
| Mock test | Sign questions | Pass on the real standard |
|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | 1 to 4 | 14 or more of 20, with at least 2 of questions 1 to 4 |
| Test 2 | 21 to 24 | 14 or more of 20, with at least 2 of questions 21 to 24 |
The real test can pull from any chapter, so if one topic cost you more than two marks, reread that chapter and its end-of-chapter questions. Signs are the cheapest marks to secure: see US road signs by shape and color and US traffic signals.
Common questions
Are these questions from the real New York permit test?
No. They are original, unofficial questions written from the New York State Driver’s Manual. The manual itself has practice quizzes for Chapters 4 to 11 and road signs; use those too.
How many can I get wrong on the NY permit test?
6, as long as you get at least 2 of the 4 sign questions right.
Which chapters matter most?
Chapters 4 to 11, which cover traffic control, intersections, passing, parking, defensive driving, alcohol, special conditions and sharing the road. Chapter 1 numbers (ages, hours and restrictions) also turn up.
Can I take the permit test online?
Applicants under 18 can take it online before their office visit. Adults take it at a DMV office.
What do I do after I pass?
Practice under the permit rules, complete the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course or driver education, then book the road test. See learning to drive in New York and what is on the New York road test.
Where are other states’ practice tests?
See US permit practice tests by state.
Sources
- New York State DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual and Practice Tests” (MV-21), Chapters 1, 2 and 4 to 10 (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Prepare For and Take Your Permit Test” (dmv.ny.gov)