You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a New York Learner’s Permit

Visit the New York DMV page for applicants getting their Learner’s Permit:

https://dmv.ny.gov/permits

New York Learner’s Permit requirements can be found here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/get-learner-permit

The Class D - Operator permit is the most common Learner's permit

Information on how to get other classes of permits is available here:

• Motorcycle permit/license: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/nys-driver-license-classes
• Commercial learner permit (CLP) and commercial license (CDL): https://dmv.ny.gov/node/1611
• Class E (taxi/ livery) license: https://dmv.ny.gov/node/61101

You must first get a Learner’s Driver Permit, which is the first step to getting a Driver License. To get a learner permit, you must be 16 years or older and apply in person at a NYS DMV office

Step 1: Prepare for the written Learner’s Permit test

• Study the NYS State Driver's Manual and take the practice tests:

In what languages can I take the NYS Permit test?

• Class D and M permit tests are given in 14 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish

What is the passing score on the NYS Learner’s Permit test?

• To pass the NYS Learner’s Permit test, you must answer at least 14 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correct, and you must correctly answer at least two of the four questions about road signs
• To pass the Motorcycle Permit test, you must get at least 3 out of the 5 motorcycle questions correct

Step 2: Gather the required documents to bring to the DMVProof of age, identity and residence

To apply at the DMV to take the learner’s permit test, you have to provide proof of age, identification and residence. Your Learner’s Permit will be Standard, Enhanced, or REAL ID, depending on the proof of identification that you bring and the fee paid

What is the difference between a Standard, Enhanced or Real ID?

A comparison of the Standard, Enhanced or Real ID license is available here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/which-id-right-me

What documents do I need to take to the DMV to apply for a Learner’s Permit?

Complete one of these guides to ensure you have the documents and proofs of identification you need BEFORE you go to the DMV.

• Standard Learner’s Permit: http://nysdmv.standard-license-and-permit-document-guide.sgizmo.com/s3?_ga=2.211091797.1902808667.1585571640-2062688242.1542653508
• Enhanced or REAL ID Permit: https://process.dmv.ny.gov/documentguide/dmv_license/DisplayPages/pwizlicensePermitNDID.cfm

A complete list is available here: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/id44.pdf

If you use the "Statement of Identity and/or Residence by Parent/Guardian (PDF)" (MV-45), your parent or guardian must come with you: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv45.pdf

Step 3: Go to a DMV office location

• Apply and pay for your permit
• Take the written test (you can take the test again if you fail at no additional cost)

• A temporary permit is issues at the DMV office
• You will receive your permit by mail within 2 weeks
• Your permit is valid for approximately 5 years (the exact expiration date depends on your date of birth and the date that you applied)

You must pass a knowledge test consisting of multiple-choice questions based on the New York Drivers Handbook.

• The main phone numbers for the New York DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) are: 1-518-486-9786 or 1-800-698-2931
• All New York DMV phone numbers can be found here: https://dmv.ny.gov/contact-us/dmv-phone-numbers

All New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office locations can be found here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/offices/dmv-office-locations

All New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office locations can be found here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/offices/dmv-office-locations

You can email the New York DMV here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/contact-us/ask-dmv-question

New York’s DMV website is: https://dmv.ny.gov/

You can perform New York DMV online transactions here:

https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/all-online-transactions

If you are under 18 years old, a licensed driver that is at least 21 years old should bring you to the DMV office

A vision test is required to obtain a New York Learner’s Permit and Driver’s License. There are two options:

1) Take the vision test at the DMV

2) Bring Form MV-619 (Eye Test Report) signed by an eye-care professional. The vision exam must have been performed and dated no longer than 6 months prior

A physical exam is not required to obtain a New York Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License

A photograph will be taken at the New York DMV

What are the Steps After Applying for a New York Learner’s Permit?

After Applying for a New York Learner’s Permit:

Prepare for your road test

• You must have supervised driving practice
• You must take a pre-licensing course or a driver education course before you take your road test, such as a 5-hour Pre-licensing Course or a high school or college Driver Education Course get an appropriate amount of supervised driving practice
• Follow all learner permit restrictions available here: https://dmv.ny.gov/node/72
• If you are under age 18, you must wait at least 6 months from the date you received your learner permit to schedule your road test

Learn how to prepare for your road test here: https://dmv.ny.gov/node/69

• You must take your road test before your permit expires. A permit cannot be renewed
• If you pass your test, the examiner will give you an interim license that allows you to drive
• You will keep the interim license with your photo permit until your new license arrives in the mail in about 2 weeks
• If you fail the road test, then further prepare for it and schedule another test

Schedule your road test here: https://dmv.ny.gov/schedule-road-test