Driver's Training in New York
New York Driver's Training
If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license, supervised driving practice is a requirement of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) graduated driver licensing (GDL) program.
While driver's training with a driving instructor is optional, supervised driving with a licensed adult is required.
Your supervised driving practice will help you develop the skills necessary to ace your DMV driving test and get behind the wheel with your first driver's license. If you spend more time practicing your supervised driving, you'll likely be better prepared for your road test and better equipped to take on the responsibilities required of new drivers in New York.
On this page you'll find information about the NY DMV supervised driving requirements and the next steps of the GDL program.
What are the New York Behind-the-Wheel Requirements?
If you're younger than 18 years old, you'll need to satisfy the requirements of the New York DMV GDL program.
You can begin the process when you are 16 years old by:
- Applying for a learner's permit.
- Completing a pre-licensing course OR a Driver's Ed/driver's training course.
- Beginning your supervised behind-the-wheel practice.
For more information about applying for a learner's permit and completing Driver's Ed, please see our pages on the following topics:
NOTE: If you choose to complete a New York Driver's Ed program, you'll have the benefit of receiving behind-the-wheel practice with a professional driving instructor. New York driver's education courses include at least 24 hours of in-car training sessions and will allow you to immediately practice the safe driving techniques you will have learned about in your Driver's Ed classroom sessions. This sessions are also 24 hours.
Supervised Driving Practice in New York
With your New York DMV learner's permit you'll be able to drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.
You'll need to complete a total of 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including:
- 10 hours completed in medium/high traffic.
- 15 hours completed at night.
Once you complete your behind-the-wheel driving practice and develop enough driving experience, your parent/legal guardian must complete a Certification of Supervised Driving (Form MV-262).
The New York behind-the-wheel training requirements are designed to provide you with driving experience in a variety of road, traffic, and environmental conditions. You'll encounter all types of driving conditions when you start driving on your own, but you'll be better prepared to handle them if you've already experienced them during your behind-the-wheel driver's training.
After Driver's Training – Take Your Road Test
You will be eligible to take your NY DMV road test and obtain your provisional driver's license after you:
- Complete your supervised behind-the-wheel driving practice.
- Complete a pre-licensing course or Driver's Ed/driver's training.
- Hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months.
You can schedule your driving test on the New York DMV website.
For more information about the next steps towards your new driver's license, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in New York page.