New York DMV Practice Test 2026

Practice Questions

12 free New York DMV practice questions

Real New York-specific questions sourced from the official New York Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Highway Driving

   What is the minimum following distance guideline in New York?

   • AOne car length per 10 mph of speed.✓ Correct
   • BTwo seconds at any speed.
   • COne car length per 5 mph of speed.

   Why: Allow at least one car length for every 10 mph of speed, or use the 3-to-4 second rule to maintain a safe following distance.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 47 · Allow Yourself Space

2. Question 2 · Turns & Intersections

   A right turn on red outside New York City is generally:

   • AProhibited at all intersections.
   • BAllowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.✓ Correct
   • CAlways allowed without stopping.

   Why: Outside New York City you may turn right on red after a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it. Inside NYC, right on red is prohibited everywhere unless a sign explicitly allows it.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 31 · Lane Use Control Lights

3. Question 3 · Traffic Signs & Signals

   An orange reflective triangle on the back of a vehicle indicates that the vehicle:

   • AIs an emergency vehicle stopped ahead.
   • BTravels at 25 mph or less (slow-moving vehicle).✓ Correct
   • CIs a school bus.

   Why: An orange reflective triangle on a vehicle's rear identifies a slow-moving vehicle, such as farm equipment or horse-drawn carriages, traveling 25 mph or less.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 35 · Slow-Moving Vehicles

4. Question 4 · Accidents & Emergencies

   When a vehicle begins to skid, the driver should:

   • ABrake hard and grip the wheel tightly.
   • BAccelerate to regain traction quickly.
   • CEase off the gas and steer where you want to go.✓ Correct

   Why: If your vehicle skids, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Avoid hard braking, which can worsen the skid.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 64 · Skids

5. Question 5 · General Rules

   Children under age 2 must be secured in:

   • AA rear-facing child safety seat.✓ Correct
   • BA booster seat with harness.
   • CA forward-facing child seat.

   Why: New York law requires children under 2 years old to be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat, installed in the back seat of the vehicle.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 48 · Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats

6. Question 6 · Parking Rules

   When parallel parking in New York, your right wheels must be no more than:

   • A18 inches from the curb.
   • B24 inches from the curb.
   • C12 inches from the curb.✓ Correct

   Why: When parallel parking, your right wheels must be no more than 12 inches from the curb.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 44 · Parking

7. Question 7 · Speed Limits

   What is the default citywide speed limit in New York City?

   • A30 mph.
   • B25 mph.✓ Correct
   • C20 mph.

   Why: The default speed limit on all streets in New York City is 25 mph unless a different limit is posted.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 47 · Speed Limits

8. Question 8 · Right of Way

   At a roundabout, drivers entering must yield to:

   • AVehicles entering from the right.
   • BVehicles waiting to enter from the left.
   • CTraffic already traveling inside the circle.✓ Correct

   Why: When entering a roundabout, drivers must yield to all vehicles already traveling inside the circle.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 35 · Roundabouts

9. Question 9 · Lane Changes & Passing

   When may you legally pass another vehicle on the right in New York?

   • AWhenever traffic conditions allow it.
   • BWhen the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room.✓ Correct
   • COn any two-lane road when you are in a hurry.

   Why: You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn and sufficient pavement exists to pass safely.

   Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 47 · Passing

10. Question 10 · Pedestrian Laws

    When must you yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk?

    • AAlways, regardless of the signal.✓ Correct
    • BOnly when the pedestrian signal is active.
    • COnly at marked crosswalks.

    Why: Drivers must always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked, regardless of traffic signal conditions.

    Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 68 · Pedestrians

11. Question 11 · General Rules

    Children under 8 should ride in the back seat:

    • AWhenever a back seat is available.✓ Correct
    • BOnly on highways.
    • COnly on trips over 30 minutes.

    Why: Children under 8 years old should ride in the back seat whenever one is available in the vehicle.

    Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 13 · Child Passenger Safety

12. Question 12 · Weather & Visibility

    When may you drive through a flooded road?

    • AOnly if water is less than 12 inches deep.
    • BWhen necessary — but drive slowly and test brakes immediately afterward.
    • CNever — always find an alternate route if possible.✓ Correct

    Why: Whenever possible, avoid driving through a flooded road and find an alternate route — moving water can sweep a vehicle away and standing water can hide washed-out pavement. Only if the water is shallow and there is no other option should you proceed slowly, then test your brakes afterward.

    Source: New York Driver Handbook, page 53 · Driving in Bad Weather

How to get your New York driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in New York's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

1. 1

   Check the age and eligibility requirements

   Eligibility in New York: 16 for a learner permit, 16 years 6 months for a junior license, 18 for an unrestricted license. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

2. 2

   Study the official handbook

   Read the Official New York State Driver's Manual (dmv.ny.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 70%.

3. 3

   Pass the knowledge test

   The New York written test has 20 questions, and you need 14 correct (70%) to pass. You have 30 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $80–$110.

4. 4

   Build supervised driving experience

   Hold your permit for the period New York requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

5. 5

   Pass the road test and get licensed

   After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, New York issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local New York DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the New York test

• 1,000+ New York-specific questions

  Every question is sourced from the official New York Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

• Explanations on every answer

  Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

• Hard Questions module

  A curated bank of the trickiest New York questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

• Smart progress tracking

  See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the New York DMV.