Top Requirements By Age

Graduated Driver's License Program

Recognizing the importance of driving experience, New York―like many other states―has adopted a graduated driver's licensing program for drivers under the age of 18. Under the dictates of this program you must:

1. Obtain a learner's permit.
2. Enroll in a driver's education class.
3. Hold your learner's permit for a minimum of six months.
4. Obtain a Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience.
5. Apply for a junior driver's license. If you did not complete a driver's education class, you must instead enroll in a pre-licensing safe driving course.
6. If 17, upgrade to a standard Class D license provided you have completed a driver's education course.

Top Take Drivers Education

Residents

You can enroll in a state-approved driver's education course through a high school or college.

New to the State

If you completed a high school or college driver's education class in another state you must check with the New York State Education Department if it will recognize your enrollment. You can call (518) 474-5922 or inquire by letter at:

• NYS Education Department

• Driver Safety Education Unit

• Room 681-EBA

• Albany, NY 5922

Top Obtain a Provisional Permit

You must obtain a learner permit if you're under 18.

1. You must be at least 16 years old.
2. Take a practice test so as to gauge your readiness for the state's written test.
3. Complete the Application for Driver License. If you're under 18, have your parents or guardian sign the application's consent section.
4. Have six points of identity.
5. Have your Social Security card. If you're ineligible, bring a letter of explanation from the Social Security Administration.
6. Be ready to pass a vision test or present a completed Eye Test Report.
7. Be prepared to pass the written test. You are exempt if you present a Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion.
8. Have all applicable fees.
9. Bring all of the above documents to any DMV office.

Provisional Permit Driving Restrictions

Owning a permit does not guarantee absolute freedom. You must adhere to DMV-imposed restrictions designed to help you gain road experience without endangering yourself or other drivers on the road.

Two of the more important restrictions include having another driver who is at least 21 years old with you and, unless you're with immediate family, you cannot have more than two passengers under 21 riding with you. Visit our Drivers Permits page for complete details.

Top Practice Behind the Wheel

To prepare for taking the road test, you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of supervised driving behind the wheel. The DMV actually recommends at least 30 hours, with 10 of those hours in moderately heavy traffic.

In addition, if you are 17 or younger you must either complete a driver's education class or enroll in a pre-licensing safe driving course before you can take the road test. A driver's education certificate will exempt you from the state's 20-hour requirement rule.

Top Apply for a License

In order to apply for a driver's license you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 16 years old.

• Have a learner's permit.

• Have either a driver's education course certificate or a Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience.

Unless you're 18 years old and exempt from the above requirements, take the following steps to obtain your license:

1) Take the Road Test

If you qualify, here's what to do:

1. Have your learner permit and your Student Certificate of Completion or your five-hour pre-licensing course completion certificate. If you are under 18 and don't have a Student Certificate of Completion, you must instead have a Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience.
2. Make sure you have a vehicle that's insured, registered, and in good working condition for the road test. If you need coverage, visit our Insurance Center for quotes.
3. Schedule a road test either online or when you call (518) 402-2100. You will need your learner permit and pre-licensing course certificate or driver's education certificate handy.

If you fail you can schedule a second road test free of charge. If you fail again, however, you must pay the $10 test fee when re-scheduling.

2) Get Your Junior License

If you're 16 after passing the road test you'll obtain a junior license. If you're 17 and have completed a driver's education course, you'll obtain a standard Class D license.

A junior license comes with many restrictions based on your place of residence. If you live upstate, for instance, you have the freedom to drive alone after 9 p.m. for school or work. But you don't have this option if you reside in New York City. You can find a detailed restrictions list based on region in Chapter One of the Driver's Manual.

3) Get Your Standard License

If you're 17 with a junior license, you can upgrade to a standard license after completing a driver's education course. Otherwise, your junior license will automatically upgrade upon turning 18.

Top Keeping Track of Teen Drivers

Parents or guardians with drivers younger than 18 years old can be automatically notified by mail when a traffic conviction, reportable accident, or license suspension or revocation surfaces on the teen's driving record.

Enroll in the voluntary program by completing the form, and mailing it to:

• Office for the Younger Driver

• NYS Department of Motor Vehicles

• 6 Empire State Plaza

• Albany, NY 12228

The DMV offers a publication containing additional information on the Teen Electronic Event Notification Service (TEENS) service.

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