So, you've turned 16. It's a magical age for many reasons, including gaining New York's permission to sit behind the steering wheel of a moving vehicle. But before you can be fully trusted with an unrestricted license you must first prove you can handle the road responsibilities of a learner's permit.

Permit Qualifications

You must be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 your parent or legal guardian must sign the consent section on New York's driver's license application. However, you're exempt from the parental consent mandate if you are 17 and own a Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion.

How to Apply

When applying be sure to take to the DMV office the following:

• A completed driver's license application.

• Proof of identity.

• Your Social Security card.

• Cash, check, or credit card to pay all applicable fees (contingent upon age).

Testing

But before applying be aware that you will need to take a vision test (you're exempt if you have a completed eye test report signed by a licensed eye-care professional) and pass a written test.

Snaring yourself a copy of New York's Driver's Manual is highly recommended. If you can't download it you can grab one at any DMV office or DMV Call Center.

Pay close attention to sections two and three of the manual. These sections contain all of the information you will need to know to pass the state's mandatory written test. Or better yet you can gauge your driving acumen by taking a practice test.

If you fail you can take the exam again at any time, free of charge. If you pass you'll be given a permit that's valid for five years.

Permit Provisions

• You can drive as long as you are accompanied by another driver who is at least 21 years old.

• You cannot drive with more than one other rider under the age of 21 unless they are immediate family.

• The only passenger allowed in the front seat with you is the accompanying driver.

• You cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in New York City's five boroughs and in Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties.

• You must hold your learner's permit for at least six months before testing for either a junior or senior license.

Lost Permit

If you lose your permit you have several duplicate-retrieval options.

You can order a duplicate online and pay the $17.50 fee by credit card. The lone wince to this is that it takes four weeks to process an order.

If you can't wait that long visit a DMV office. Take proof of identity and be prepared to complete another driver's license application and to pay a $17.50 fee. You'll be issued a temporary permit until your duplicate arrives in the mail.

You can also apply for a duplicate via postal service. To do so you must provide a completed driver's license application, proof of identification photocopies, and a check for $17.50. Mail to:

• DMV License Production Bureau

• P.O. Box 2688-ESP

• Albany, NY 12220-0668

Or, if you opt for express mail send to:

• DMV License Production Bureau

• Room 223

• 6 Empire State Plaza

• Albany, NY 12228

If you suspect that your permit was stolen you will also need to submit Form MV-78B. This cannot be downloaded or found at the DMV. You can only get this from the police.

Renewing Your Permit

You are allowed to renew your permit, but only if you passed the written test within the last two years. If it was longer than two years you will need to apply for a new permit which means taking another written exam and another vision test. You must renew in person at any DMV office.

If you fall within the two-year grace period you can renew your permit at any DMV office but no more than 30 days before its expiration date.

What's Next?

You're ready to get your junior license as described in our Teen Drivers and Applying for a New License sections.

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