NY Permit Practice Test

How to use this NY practice test

1. Take the 20 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the New York State Driver's Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. When you pass three sets in a row at 70 percent or better, book the real test.

NY practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10
11. Test 11

Printable NY practice test with answer key

All 20 questions, NY exam length

Every question below comes from the New York question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. A red left arrow is illuminated at a New York traffic signal. What is prohibited?

   1. Moving left until the arrow is replaced by a green signal or arrow
   2. Turning left after stopping and yielding
   3. Turning left only when pedestrians are absent
   4. Proceeding left if the lane beside you is clear
   Show answer

   Moving left until the arrow is replaced by a green signal or arrow. A red arrow controls movement in the arrow's direction more specifically than a general red light. Full explanation in Test 1

2. 2. Where is parking prohibited under New York's general parking rules?

   1. In a legal metered space during its posted hours
   2. In a marked space outside its restricted hours
   3. On a road shoulder where parking is expressly permitted
   4. In or within a crosswalk
   Show answer

   In or within a crosswalk. New York prohibits parking in a crosswalk because the vehicle blocks the pedestrian path and can hide people from approaching drivers. Full explanation in Test 2

3. 3. What point value does New York assign to following too closely?

   1. 2 points
   2. 5 points
   3. 4 points
   4. 8 points
   Show answer

   4 points. New York charges 4 points for following too closely. Full explanation in Test 3

4. 4. What is the minimum age for a New York Junior Operator (Class DJ) license?

   1. 16
   2. 15
   3. 17
   4. 18
   Show answer

   16. New York's Class DJ, the Junior Operator license, starts at age 16 and comes with limits on where, when, and with whom the holder may drive. Full explanation in Test 4

5. 5. A volunteer firefighter's personal vehicle displays a blue light. How is that vehicle classified?

   1. It has priority over every vehicle and traffic signal
   2. It may disregard all traffic laws without warning
   3. It is not an authorized emergency vehicle, though yielding courteously is advised when safe
   4. It must be treated exactly like a police car with a siren
   Show answer

   It is not an authorized emergency vehicle, though yielding courteously is advised when safe. New York permits volunteer firefighters to display blue lights, but vehicles with blue, green, or amber lights are not authorized emergency Full explanation in Test 5

6. 6. How many motorcycles may ride side-by-side in one New York lane?

   1. Two motorcycles
   2. One motorcycle only
   3. Any number if they maintain the speed limit
   4. Three motorcycles
   Show answer

   Two motorcycles. New York permits two motorcycles to ride side-by-side in a single lane. Full explanation in Test 6

7. 7. A New York driver over 21 refuses a chemical test within five years of a prior refusal revocation. What is the minimum revocation?

   1. Six months
   2. 18 months
   3. One year
   4. Five years
   Show answer

   18 months. New York raises the refusal penalty for repeat conduct. Full explanation in Test 7

8. 8. The red circle with a white horizontal bar on this sign tells a New York-bound driver:

   
   1. Only trucks may enter from this approach
   2. Parking is prohibited but travel is allowed
   3. The road ends ahead after the next block
   4. Do not enter the roadway or ramp from this direction
   Show answer

   Do not enter the roadway or ramp from this direction. The red circle and white bar identify a DO NOT ENTER sign. Full explanation in Test 8

9. 9. What does a green arrow permit at a New York traffic signal?

   1. Turn without checking the intersection
   2. Stop until a circular green light appears
   3. Travel in the arrow's direction while still yielding as required by law
   4. Yield to every vehicle approaching from any direction
   Show answer

   Travel in the arrow's direction while still yielding as required by law. A green arrow permits movement in the arrow's direction, but it does not suspend every right-of-way rule. Full explanation in Test 9

10. 10. A New York driver who got a license at age 19 is still in the six-month probation period and is convicted of speeding. What happens?

    1. Nothing beyond the fine and points
    2. The license is suspended for 60 days
    3. The license is revoked for one year
    4. Probation is extended by one week
    Show answer

    The license is suspended for 60 days. Drivers who are 18 or older when they pass the road test in New York start with six months of probation. Full explanation in Test 10

11. 11. Smoke starts coming from under your New York vehicle's hood. What should you do?

    1. Open the hood immediately and pour water on the engine
    2. Keep driving until you reach a repair shop
    3. Pull off, turn off the ignition, get away, and call the fire department
    4. Remain in the vehicle with the engine running
    Show answer

    Pull off, turn off the ignition, get away, and call the fire department. The manual treats an under-hood fire as an emergency requiring distance and professional help. Full explanation in Test 11

12. 12. What restraint rule applies to a New York child passenger under age four?

    1. The child may use an adult belt in any seating position
    2. The child may ride unrestrained in the rear seat
    3. The child must ride in an appropriate child safety seat
    4. The child needs a restraint only on expressways
    Show answer

    The child must ride in an appropriate child safety seat. New York requires each child passenger to use a correct child restraint, and the manual specifically includes child safety seats among its s Full explanation in Test 1

13. 13. What does a double solid yellow center line mean on a New York two-way road?

    
    1. Only trucks may cross to pass
    2. Passing is allowed when traffic is light
    3. Passing is prohibited in both directions
    4. Passing is permitted from the side with the wider shoulder
    Show answer

    Passing is prohibited in both directions. A double solid yellow line separates opposing traffic where passing is prohibited in both directions. Full explanation in Test 2

14. 14. What does a steady yellow traffic signal mean in New York?

    1. The signal is broken and may be ignored
    2. Traffic has priority and should accelerate
    3. The light is about to turn red; stop if safe
    4. Stop only if a police officer is present
    Show answer

    The light is about to turn red; stop if safe. A steady yellow signal warns that the light is about to turn red. Full explanation in Test 3

15. 15. What must a New York driver do when approaching a horse being ridden or walked along the road?

    1. Use an acceptable speed and distance, without sounding the horn
    2. Pass within one vehicle width if the lane is open
    3. Accelerate past before the horse can react
    4. Sound the horn briefly so the rider knows the car is near
    Show answer

    Use an acceptable speed and distance, without sounding the horn. New York requires care around a horse, including an acceptable speed and an acceptable distance. Full explanation in Test 4

16. 16. When may a New York driver turn right at a steady red light?

    
    1. Immediately after slowing if no vehicle is close
    2. After a full stop, when the way is clear and no sign or marking prohibits the turn
    3. Only after waiting for a green arrow in every location
    4. Whenever the driver is turning from a one-way street
    Show answer

    After a full stop, when the way is clear and no sign or marking prohibits the turn. A steady red signal does not make a right turn automatic, but New York permits the movement after a complete stop when traffic and pedestria Full explanation in Test 5

17. 17. When may you proceed across railroad tracks if traffic is stopped beyond the crossing?

    1. As soon as the crossing signals stop, even if the exit is blocked
    2. Only when there is room for your entire vehicle on the other side
    3. When your front wheels reach the first rail
    4. After entering halfway and waiting on the tracks
    Show answer

    Only when there is room for your entire vehicle on the other side. A driver must not enter railroad tracks unless there is room for the entire vehicle to clear the crossing. Full explanation in Test 6

18. 18. An emergency vehicle responding to an emergency approaches from behind in New York. What must you do?

    
    1. Stop in the middle of the intersection
    2. Race ahead until the emergency vehicle changes lanes
    3. Yield the right-of-way and move safely to the side
    4. Follow it closely through the next signal
    Show answer

    Yield the right-of-way and move safely to the side. New York requires drivers to yield to authorized emergency vehicles responding to emergencies. Full explanation in Test 7

19. 19. What is required to pass New York's 20-question written test?

    1. At least 10 total correct and all four sign questions correct
    2. At least 14 total correct with no sign requirement
    3. At least 16 total correct, regardless of sign answers
    4. At least 14 total correct and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct
    Show answer

    At least 14 total correct and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct. New York uses two passing checks for the written test. Full explanation in Test 8

20. 20. A gas pedal remains stuck after you try to free it. What should you do?

    1. Turn off the ignition while moving at speed
    2. Shift into park immediately on the highway
    3. Press the accelerator harder to reset it
    4. Shift into neutral, brake, and move off the road
    Show answer

    Shift into neutral, brake, and move off the road. For a stuck gas pedal, New York advises trying to hook a shoe under it first. Full explanation in Test 9