New York DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the NY DMV written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the New York-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official New York driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just New York? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
20Questions
70%To Pass
$64.25–$90Fee
- Test length varies: 20 questions on the written knowledge test — you must answer at least 14 correctly (70%), including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions.
- Fee: The learner permit/Class D license fee varies by age at application (roughly $64-$68 for 21+, up to $80-$90 for 16-16½) — New York doesn't charge one flat fee. Residents of NYC and several downstate counties also pay an added MCTD fee of $1 per 6 months of validity.
- Documents required:
- Proof of identity and date of birth
- Social Security number
- Proof of name totaling at least 6 points under NY's point-value ID system, with at least one signed proof
- If you don't pass: Written test: no attempt cap found in the handbook. Road test: your first two attempts are included in the original fee; a fee applies from the third attempt onward, with at least a 14-day wait required between tries.
- Online testing: New York's OKTA (Online Knowledge Test Application) program lets eligible high school students take the written test on campus starting at age 15 years, 11 months, though the permit itself still can't be issued before 16.
New York-Specific Rules
Speed, Right-of-Way & Legal Rules
- New York City bans right turns on red unless a sign specifically permits it.
- A school bus driver carrying students can never turn right on red.
- Left turn on red allowed only from a one-way road onto another one-way road, after a full stop.
- New permanent residents must transfer to a NY license within 30 days of establishing residency.
- Operating (or allowing operation of) an uninsured vehicle: license revoked at least 1 year.
- Vision test standard: 20/40 in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.
- Reapplying after a revocation: non-refundable $100 fee (waived for no-insurance or restricted-license revocations).
- Points: speeding 21-30 mph over the limit = 6 points.
- Points: red light = 3 points.
- Points: reckless driving = 5 points.
DUI Laws & Penalties
- Zero Tolerance Law: driver under 21 with BAC .02-.07 → minimum 6-month suspension (not open-ended — .08+ is a full adult DWI).
- DWAI: BAC over .05% is legal evidence of ability-impaired driving, a lower tier than DWI.
- DWI: BAC .08% or higher is evidence of intoxication.
- Aggravated DWI: BAC .18% or higher.
- Leandra's Law: DWI/DWAI-alcohol with a child under 16 in the vehicle is a Class E felony (up to 4 years in prison).
- Ignition interlock: mandatory minimum 12 months for any alcohol-related VTL 1192 conviction.
- Driver responsibility assessment: $250/year for 3 years after a DWI/DWAI/Aggravated DWI/refusal conviction.
- Zero Tolerance test refusal (under 21): minimum 1-year revocation.
- Points: DWI/DWAI/Aggravated DWI/chemical test refusal = 11 points (the maximum).
Defensive Driving
- Handheld phone (talking): up to $200 fine + 5 points on a first offense; hands-free allowed anytime.
- Texting/portable electronic device: tiered fines up to $200 / $250 / $450 for 1st/2nd/3rd offense within 18 months.
- Junior/probationary license + phone or texting conviction: 120-day suspension (1st), 1+ year revocation for a repeat within 6 months.
- New York is a "primary enforcement" seat belt state — an officer can stop you solely for a seat belt violation.
- Seat belt law covers all rear-seat passengers age 16+, not just the front seat.
- Move Over Law also covers amber-hazard-light vehicles and blue/green-light volunteer emergency vehicles.
- Passing a bicyclist: safe distance required on the left, with no single fixed statewide footage number.
- Points: no seatbelt violation (driver/passenger 16+) = 3 points.
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- Junior Operator (Class DJ) learner permit: minimum age 16.
- OKTA lets eligible high school students take the written test as early as age 15 years, 11 months — but the permit still can't issue until 16.
- Supervising driver for a learner permit must be 21+, licensed for the vehicle type, and seated in the front seat.
- Junior license: no more than 1 passenger under 21, unless immediate family.
- New York City (5 boroughs): Class DJ Junior Operators may not drive at all, any time of day.
- Long Island: daytime Junior Operator driving alone is limited to direct trips (work, school, farm employment) unless accompanied.
- Upstate: Junior Operators may drive unaccompanied 5 a.m.-9 p.m.; overnight, only direct home-work/home-school trips alone.
- PIRP course: reduces up to 4 points (once per 18 months), plus a minimum 10% insurance discount for 3 years.
- Standard Class D license: minimum age 18, or 17 with a driver-education completion certificate.
Parking Rules & Technique
- No parking within 30 feet of a pedestrian safety area, unless a different distance is marked.
- Double parking (stopping on the road side of an already-parked vehicle) is prohibited statewide.
- Illegal disabled-space parking at a shopping center: $50-$75 first offense, plus a mandatory $30 surcharge.
Emergency Vehicles, School Buses & Work Zones
- Must stop for a school bus's flashing red lights even on the far side of a divided highway — New York has no divided-highway exception.
- Stop at least 20 feet away from a stopped school bus.
- Stop-arm cameras can fine a vehicle owner for illegally passing a stopped bus: $250 (1st), $275 (2nd within 18 months), $300 (3rd+).
- Work zone speeding fines are doubled.
- Points: failing to stop for a school bus = 8 points.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with NY DMV before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-07-19.