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New York DMV permit practice test

25 questions written from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), covering road signs, signals and pavement markings, right of way, turns and intersections, following and passing and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real New York DMV test has 20 questions and you need 14 right.

25 questions
  1. Question 1What color and shape are warning signs normally in New York?

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    B: Yellow diamond with black letters or symbols. Warning signs are normally yellow and diamond-shaped with black letters or symbols. They tell you a hazard or special rule is ahead. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Signs, page 29.

  2. Question 2A traffic light is out of service when you approach an intersection. What does New York law require?

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    B: Stop as you would for a STOP sign, then follow right-of-way rules. State law requires you to stop as for a STOP sign when signals are out or not working, then continue according to right-of-way rules unless an officer directs you. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Traffic Signals: Traffic Lights, page 30.

  3. Question 3You reach an intersection on a green light. A car is already in the intersection making a left turn. You should:

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    B: Let that vehicle complete its turn before you enter. A driver approaching an intersection must yield to traffic already in the intersection. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Right-of-Way, page 34.

  4. Question 4How far ahead must you signal before turning or changing lanes in New York?

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    B: At least 100 feet. The law requires you to signal a turn or lane change with turn lights or hand signals at least 100 feet ahead. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Turns, page 36.

  5. Question 5Is it legal to exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle?

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    B: No. You must not exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Chapter 6 – How to Pass, page 39.

  6. Question 6A stopped school bus is flashing its red lights. Who must stop?

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    B: Traffic approaching from either direction, even in school parking lots. Traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching a school bus flashing red lights, even in front of schools and in school parking lots. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): School Buses, page 40.

  7. Question 7After parallel parking, how close to the curb must your wheels be?

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    B: No more than one foot. In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot from the curb. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): How to Park, page 42.

  8. Question 8How should you sit and hold the wheel while driving?

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    B: In a comfortable but upright position with both hands on the wheel. Sit in a comfortable but vertical position and keep both hands on the steering wheel; slouching or one-handed driving makes control harder. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Be Prepared and Look Ahead, page 45.

  9. Question 9If no speed limit is posted in New York State (outside cities with lower limits), what is the maximum speed?

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    C: 55 mph. You must obey the speed limit; if none is posted, drive no more than 55 mph. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Speed, page 47.

  10. Question 10A driver with a junior or probationary license is convicted of texting while driving for the first time. What happens?

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    B: A 120-day suspension. Probationary and junior license holders who use a hand-held phone or text while driving receive a 120-day suspension for a first conviction. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Penalties for texting, electronic device use, page 52.

  11. Question 11In New York State, impaired driving is involved in what share of all motor vehicle fatalities?

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    C: More than 40 percent. More than 40 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in New York involve impaired driving. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Chapter 9 – Alcohol and Other Drugs, page 54.

  12. Question 12Flashing red lights and lowered gates at a railroad crossing. How far from the tracks must you stop?

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    B: At least 15 feet. Flashing red lights, lowered gates and/or a bell mean you must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Railroad Crossing Signals, page 61.

  13. Question 13Your car stalls on the railroad tracks. What should you do first?

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    B: Get everyone out of the vehicle and away from the tracks. Get out (everyone), get away from the tracks even if you see no train, then call the number on the Emergency Notification System sign. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Stalling on Railroad Tracks, page 61.

  14. Question 14You entered an expressway going the wrong direction or missed your exit. What should you do?

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    C: Stay on until the next exit. Stay on the expressway until the next exit. It is dangerous to back up on a ramp or try to cross a median. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Expressway Driving, page 62.

  15. Question 15Regulation signs are normally what color and shape?

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    A: White rectangles with black letters or symbols. Regulation signs are normally white rectangles with black letters or symbols, although some have other shapes or use red. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Signs, page 29.

  16. Question 16What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

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    B: The same as a STOP sign: stop, yield, and go when safe. A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign: stop, yield the right-of-way, and go when it is safe. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Traffic Signals, page 31.

  17. Question 17Two drivers approaching from opposite directions reach an intersection at about the same time. One turns left; the other goes straight. Who must yield?

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    B: The driver turning left. A driver turning left must yield to traffic moving straight or turning right from the opposite direction. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Right-of-Way, page 34.

  18. Question 18While waiting to turn left in an intersection, why should you keep your wheels straight?

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    B: So a rear-end hit will not push you into oncoming traffic. If your wheels are turned and you are hit from behind, you could be pushed into the oncoming lane. Keep them straight until you begin to turn. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Turns, page 36.

  19. Question 19How should you pass a motorcycle?

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    B: Give it the same full-lane width as other vehicles. Give a motorcycle the same full-lane width as other vehicles. Never move into the same lane space as a motorcycle. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Chapter 6 – How to Pass, page 39.

  20. Question 20How far from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights should you stop?

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    B: At least 20 feet. You should stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): School Buses, page 40.

  21. Question 21When starting to parallel park, how far from the vehicle in front of the space should you stop alongside it?

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    B: About two feet. Stop next to the vehicle in front of the space, leaving about two feet between it and your vehicle. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): How to Park, page 42.

  22. Question 22How often should you check behind you in your mirrors?

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    B: Every few seconds. Keep your eyes moving, watch the sides of the road and check behind through your mirrors every few seconds. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Be Prepared and Look Ahead, page 45.

  23. Question 23What is the speed limit in New York City unless another limit is posted?

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    B: 25 mph. The speed limit is 25 mph in New York City unless another limit is posted. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Speed, page 47.

  24. Question 24How many questions are on the New York Class D written permit test, and how many must you answer correctly?

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    A: 20 questions, 14 correct. You must correctly answer at least 14 of the 20 questions, including at least two of the four road sign questions. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): Vision and Knowledge Tests, page 10.

  25. Question 25Which of these is an effect of alcohol on driving?

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    C: Delayed reaction time and reduced ability to see clearly. Alcohol delays reaction time, reduces your ability to see clearly, changes your judgment of speed and distance, and makes you more likely to take chances. New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21): What Alcohol Does, page 54.

Answer every question to see your score.

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How to use these tests

Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.

Our own questions, written from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) and checked against it. Not affiliated with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Found a mistake? Tell us.