Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The New York road test is an on-street drive with a DMV license examiner. It covers pulling away from the curb, turns and intersections, driving in traffic, parallel parking, and possibly a three-point turn. The examiner marks errors in five categories set out in the DMV’s Class D scoring summary. This guide covers what you need to book, what to bring, what gets marked and what happens if you fail in New York.
Before you can book a New York road test
- A valid New York learner permit.
- Under 18: at least six months since your permit was issued.
- A completed safe driving course: an original, unexpired Pre-Licensing Course Certificate (MV-278), a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) on file, or an online course completion reported to the DMV. See the 5-hour course guide.
- The ZIP code where you want to test. You do not have to test in your own county.
- At least one unused road test on your record.
Book online through the Road Test Scheduling System or call 1-518-402-2100. The DMV says the earliest date is usually 3 to 5 weeks out, but it can be up to 10 weeks in summer and school breaks. There are no waiting lists, and tests are almost always on weekdays.
What to bring on test day
- Your physical photo learner permit. Mobile ID is not accepted.
- Glasses or contacts, if your permit says you need them.
- Your original MV-278. Copies are not accepted.
- Under 18: a completed Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262), signed by a parent or guardian. You hand one in at every road test. See the MV-262 checklist.
- An accompanying driver with a physical license valid for the test vehicle: over 21 if you drive to the site, over 18 if they drive you there.
- A vehicle with valid registration, insurance and inspection, permanent plates (in-transit permits are not allowed), working doors and seat belts, and a clean passenger seat belt for the examiner.
- For a rental car: the rental agreement and written permission to use it for the road test.
No other passengers are allowed. Arrive up to 15 minutes early. If you are late, the examiner may not test you. The examiner photographs you, your documents, your permit and the vehicle before the test. Not all sites have shelter, and bad weather can cancel tests, so check the DMV’s cancellations page before you leave.
What is on the New York road test?
The DMV’s Class D scoring summary groups errors into five areas. This is what the examiner watches for in each.
1. Leaving the curb
- Failing to observe or check the blind spot
- Failing to signal when pulling away
- Using the mirror only instead of turning your head
2. Turning and intersections
- Poor judgment approaching or at intersections (speed, stopping, signaling, observing)
- Not stopping near the center of the intersection when waiting to turn left, or not turning left from there
- Right or left turns that are too wide or too short
- Missing signs, signals, lane markings or other vehicles
3. Parking, backing and U-turns
- Not signaling
- Not observing traffic or pedestrians
- Unable to park properly, or ending too far from the curb
- Unable to complete a three-point turn
- Too many back-and-forth moves to finish the park or three-point turn
Parallel parking is part of every New York road test, and the manual says you may be asked for a three-point turn. See the New York parallel parking guide.
4. Driving in traffic
- Not keeping right, or using the wrong lane
- Following too closely
- Too fast for conditions, or so slow you hold up traffic
- Not yielding to pedestrians or other road users
- Unsafe lane changes (no check, no caution or no signal)
- Not anticipating pedestrians, other traffic or road hazards
5. Vehicle control
- Repeated stalling, poor gear or clutch use
- Rough acceleration, delayed or abrupt braking
- Poor steering
- Poor reaction to emergencies
- Not knowing the controls: wipers, defrosters, lights, windows
How is the New York road test scored?
The examiner records errors on a scoring sheet under the categories above, and the DMV’s results page links each error to the manual chapter that explains it. Check the current scoring sheet, including point values and the pass threshold, with the DMV, and ignore any number you see quoted elsewhere.
For the most common mistakes nationally, see common reasons people fail the US driving test.
Driver assistance features on the test
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Backup warning, backup and surround cameras, parking sensors, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision and lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist | Adaptive cruise control, automatic parallel parking |
Even with allowed features, the examiner checks that you did not rely on them, and the examiner’s scoring is final. Turn your head for blind spots regardless of what the car tells you.
After the New York road test
Results are posted at the DMV’s road test results site after 6 p.m. on the day of your test.
If you pass
An interim license is available online. Keep it with your photo permit until the photo license arrives by mail in about two weeks. Under 18, you get a junior license with regional restrictions. Every new driver serves a six-month probation (see New York probation and points).
If you fail
- Your permit stays valid until it expires. If it expires before your next test, you need a new permit.
- Wait at least 14 days before testing again.
- Once you have failed your first two road tests, you must pay additional fees to book another. The DMV lets you pay for additional road tests online; check the current fee there.
Common questions
How long is the New York road test?
The DMV does not give a set length for the Class D test. The manual says the separate “R” endorsement road test takes about 15 minutes, but that is a different test.
Can I practice at the road test site?
No. Practice driving is not allowed at New York test sites, and learner permit holders cannot drive in DMV road test areas.
Can I use a backup camera when parallel parking?
Yes, cameras and parking sensors are allowed. Automatic parallel parking is not.
Can a friend come with me?
Only your accompanying licensed driver. No other passengers are allowed at the site.
Are road tests given on weekends?
Rarely. Tests are almost always on weekdays.
How does New York’s test compare with other states?
Back to the full New York learning to drive guide.
Sources
- New York State DMV, “Schedule and Take a Road Test” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Road Test Results” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Guidelines for Testing Drivers in Vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262)” (dmv.ny.gov)
- New York State DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual and Practice Tests: Chapters 1, 5, 7 and 13” (dmv.ny.gov)