New York · Permit testWhen can you take the road test in NY?
- A valid New York learner permit
- An original, unexpired Pre-Licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) or Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) from driver education
- Under 18 with a junior permit: at least 6 months since your permit was issued, and at least 50 hours of supervised practice, 15 of them after sunset
- At least one unused road test on your record
You need the ZIP code of the test site you want. You can test outside your home county, and tests are almost always on weekdays.
What to bring, and the car
- Your physical photo learner permit, and your glasses or contacts if your permit requires them
- Your original MV-278, issued within the past year (copies aren't accepted), or an MV-285 issued within the past 2 years. If you took the 5-hour course online, you don't need the MV-278
- Under 18: the Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262), filled in by a parent or guardian, for every test you take
- A licensed driver with a physical license (not Mobile ID): over 18 if they drive you to the site, over 21 if you drive yourself. Nobody else may ride along
The car must be registered, insured and inspected, in good working order and clean, with permanent plates on it. In-transit permits aren't allowed. In a rental car, bring the rental agreement and written permission to use it for the road test. Arrive up to 15 minutes early: late arrivals may have to rebook.
Chapter 13 of the manual lists the driver assistance features you can't use: adaptive cruise control and automatic parallel parking. Backup cameras, parking sensors, blind spot alerts and lane departure warnings are allowed, but the examiner checks that you drive safely without relying on them, and the examiner's scoring is final.
Taking the road test in NYC
DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in NYC to delay the road test until 18. A junior license doesn't let you drive in the five boroughs at all. The exception is a 17-year-old with a driver education certificate (MV-285), who can get a Class D license with no junior limits.
What the examiner checks
DMV gives new drivers the same road test it uses for re-evaluations: driving safely in traffic, left and right turns, a three-point turn and parallel parking. The manual says parallel parking is part of every road test. Before you start, the examiner photographs you, your documents, your permit and the car.
Results, and if you fail
Results are posted online after 6 p.m. on the day of your test. If you pass, you can get an interim license online; carry it with your photo permit until the photo license arrives by mail, about 2 weeks later. Every new driver then has a 6-month probation period.
If you fail, your permit stays valid until it expires. You must wait at least 14 days before the next test. After two failed tests DMV charges more, though its road test page doesn't give the amount. Check for weather or construction cancellations before you leave.
Sources: NYS DMV · NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 13 · NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 1 and 7 more. Checked October 2026.
- NYS DMV: Schedule and take a road test ↗
- NYS DMV: Complete pre-licensing requirements ↗
- NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 13: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ↗
- NYS DMV: The Graduated License Law ↗
- NYS DMV: Learner permit restrictions ↗
- NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 1: Driver Licenses ↗
- NYS DMV: Driver re-evaluation (road test content) ↗
- NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel Parking ↗
- NYS DMV: Schedule Your Road Test by Phone or Internet, RT-3 (4/25) (PDF) ↗
- NYS DMV: Get your first license (probation period) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.