On the New York written test (20 questions), how many must you answer correctly to pass?

14, including 2 of the 4 road sign questions. You need 14 of 20 correct, and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be right.

You're at a red light in New York City with no signs posted. May you turn right?

No, it's not allowed in NYC unless a sign permits it. In New York City, turning on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it.

You're 19 and test at .03 BAC. Under New York's Zero Tolerance law, what happens?

Your license is suspended for 6 months. Under 21 with a BAC of .02 to .07 means a six-month suspension plus fees.

In New York, how many points within 24 months can lead to a license suspension?

11. Getting 11 points in 24 months can get your license suspended. Even 6 points in 18 months means an extra fee.

It's raining during the day and your wipers are on. What does New York law require?

Headlights on (daytime running lights don't count). NY law requires headlights whenever you use wipers for rain, snow or sleet.

A school bus with red lights flashing is stopped on the other side of a divided highway. What do you do in NY?

Stop. In New York you must stop even if the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway.

A junior permit or license holder in NY is convicted of using a phone. What else happens?

A 120-day suspension. Junior permit and license holders are suspended for 120 days for a texting or cell phone violation.

In New York, you may not park within how many feet of a traffic light or STOP sign?

30 feet. NY forbids parking or standing within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP or YIELD sign.

In New York, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?

15 feet. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

In New York, within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection may you NOT park?

20 feet. Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

In New York, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?

100 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change.

State guides · New York

New York DMV written test guide

Everything you need to know about the written test in New York, with the rules your state asks about and practice questions with answers.

Agency	New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Official handbook	New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) ↗
Questions	20
To pass	14 of 20 correct
Test in Spanish?	Yes

🗣️ 20 languages. NY DMV

Must also get at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions right. Under-18 applicants may take the permit test online.

New York rules you need to know

Alcohol, 21 and over: In New York the legal limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08% BAC. Official source ↗
Alcohol, under 21: Under 21, a BAC of .02 to .07 means a 6-month suspension under the Zero Tolerance law. Official source ↗
Following distance: Keep at least a 2-second following distance, more in bad weather or behind large trucks. Official source ↗
High beams: Dim your high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 200 feet of a vehicle ahead. Official source ↗
Turn signal: Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change. Official source ↗
Fire hydrant: Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Official source ↗
Crosswalk: Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Official source ↗
School bus: You must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway. Official source ↗
Right on red: Right on red is allowed after a full stop, except in New York City unless a sign permits it. Official source ↗
Left on red: Left on red is allowed only from a one-way road onto another one-way road, after a full stop. Official source ↗
Cell phone: Hand-held phone use and texting are banned for all drivers (5 points); junior drivers face a 120-day suspension. Official source ↗
Move Over law: Move over a lane for any vehicle stopped on the shoulder of a highway; slow down if you can't. Official source ↗
Permit age: You can get a New York learner permit at age 16. Official source ↗

New York test FAQ

How many questions are on the New York written test?

The written test has 20 questions and you need 14 correct to pass.

Can I take the New York driver's test in Spanish?

Yes. New York offers the written test in Spanish.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New York?

You can get a New York learner permit at age 16.

What documents do I need for a permit in New York?

It depends on your situation (identity, residency and Social Security number or an alternative). Check the official list from New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you go.

Documents guide → · How to pass on the first try →

11 New York practice questions

1. On the New York written test (20 questions), how many must you answer correctly to pass?
1. 14, including 2 of the 4 road sign questions
2. 15, any questions
3. 16, including all sign questions
4. 12, including 1 sign question
Show answer
Answer: 14, including 2 of the 4 road sign questions
You need 14 of 20 correct, and at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions must be right.
Official source ↗
2. You're at a red light in New York City with no signs posted. May you turn right?
1. Yes, if no pedestrians are present
2. Yes, after a full stop
3. No, it's not allowed in NYC unless a sign permits it
4. Only at night
Show answer
Answer: No, it's not allowed in NYC unless a sign permits it
In New York City, turning on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it.
Official source ↗
3. You're 19 and test at .03 BAC. Under New York's Zero Tolerance law, what happens?
1. Your license is suspended for 6 months
2. A 30-day suspension
3. Nothing, it's below 0.08%
4. Only a warning
Show answer
Answer: Your license is suspended for 6 months
Under 21 with a BAC of .02 to .07 means a six-month suspension plus fees.
Official source ↗
4. In New York, how many points within 24 months can lead to a license suspension?
1. 11
2. 15
3. 8
4. 6
Show answer
Answer: 11
Getting 11 points in 24 months can get your license suspended. Even 6 points in 18 months means an extra fee.
Official source ↗
5. It's raining during the day and your wipers are on. What does New York law require?
1. Turn on hazard lights only
2. Daytime running lights are enough
3. No lights needed in daytime
4. Headlights on (daytime running lights don't count)
Show answer
Answer: Headlights on (daytime running lights don't count)
NY law requires headlights whenever you use wipers for rain, snow or sleet.
Official source ↗
6. A school bus with red lights flashing is stopped on the other side of a divided highway. What do you do in NY?
1. Proceed with caution
2. Slow to 10 mph
3. Stop
4. Honk and pass
Show answer
Answer: Stop
In New York you must stop even if the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway.
Official source ↗
7. A junior permit or license holder in NY is convicted of using a phone. What else happens?
1. A 30-day suspension
2. An online course
3. A 120-day suspension
4. Just the fine
Show answer
Answer: A 120-day suspension
Junior permit and license holders are suspended for 120 days for a texting or cell phone violation.
Official source ↗
8. In New York, you may not park within how many feet of a traffic light or STOP sign?
1. 50 feet
2. 30 feet
3. 20 feet
4. 15 feet
Show answer
Answer: 30 feet
NY forbids parking or standing within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP or YIELD sign.
Official source ↗
9. In New York, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?
1. 30 feet
2. 15 feet
3. 20 feet
4. 25 feet
Show answer
Answer: 15 feet
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
10. In New York, within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection may you NOT park?
1. 15 feet
2. 25 feet
3. 10 feet
4. 20 feet
Show answer
Answer: 20 feet
Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
Official source ↗
11. In New York, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?
1. 500 feet
2. 100 feet
3. 200 feet
4. 300 feet
Show answer
Answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change.
Official source ↗

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Facts checked against the official state handbook and website in October 2026. Rules change: always check the official handbook.