In order to get the learners permit and eventually the New York drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the learners permit test with our New York DMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online New York drivers education course.

Apply for your learners permit a DMV office near you. You don’t need an appointment to take the written test but you must arrive at the DMV office at least one half hour before the office closing time.

In order to be eligible for the learners permit, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Present proof of name, age, residency and social security number.
3. Complete form MV-44 (Driver License Application). Your parent or your legal guardian must sign the consent section of your form MV-44 if you are under 18 or if you are 17 and have a Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285).
4. You must bring proofs of identity and date of birth. View acceptable documents.
5. Bring cash, a personal check or a credit card to pay the application fee and the driver license fee. See the driver license fee schedule to determine your fee.
6. Pass a vision test at the DMV office, or bring a valid form MV-619 (Eye Test Report) completed by an eye-care professional.
7. Pass a written test. NOTE: You are not required to take the written test if you have form MV-285 (Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion).

Once you pass the written test, you will be issued a learners permit with the following restrictions:

No matter what age you are, if you hold a learners permit, you may not drive:

• Unless accompanied by a supervising driver at least age 21 who has a license valid for operating the vehicle you are driving. For example, only a person with a motorcycle license may supervise a motorcycle learner.
• In a DMV road test area.
• On any street within a park in New York City, or any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
• On the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.

All new drivers must attend a mandatory pre-licensing course or complete a high school or college driver education course. Most commercial driving schools licensed by the DMV offer the DMV-approved pre-licensing course. Look in the telephone directory under "Driving Instruction." When you complete the course, you receive a pre-licensing course certificate (MV-278).

Practice driving under the supervision of a licensed driver at least 21 years old who has a license valid for the type of vehicle you are driving.

If you are under 18, you must log at least 20 hours of supervised driving practice before you take the driving test unless you are at least 17 and taking a DMV approved NY drivers education course.

DriversEd.com can help make this supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

Schedule an appointment for a driving road test.

In order to be eligible for the New York drivers license, you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.
2. Bring your learners permit.
3. Present proof name, age, residency and social security number. View acceptable documents.
4. Have completed the pre-licensing course (MV-278). You must provide the certificate number when you schedule your road test. You must also show the certificate to the road test examiner on the day of your road test.
5. Submit a Certification of 20 Hours of Supervised Driving (MV-262) signed by a parent of guardian if you are under 17. This certification is not required if you are age 17 and present a valid Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) for passing a certified driver education course.
6. Bring a vehicle with proof of registration and insurance.
7. Pass the driving test.

Once you pass the driving test you will be issued a Class D Operator license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, you will be issued a Junior License.

Junior License Restrictions

• You may not drive with more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family, or your accompanying driver is your licensed parent, guardian, person "in loco parentis" driver education teacher or driving school instructor.
• You and each passenger must wear a seat belt: one per person. Every passenger under age four must be in a properly installed child restraint seat.
• If you hold a junior permit or a limited junior license, the only passenger allowed in the front seat is your accompanying driver.
• View junior license driving time restrictions