New York permit test practice questions

10 of the 1,216 questions we wrote from the New York State Driver's Manual. Pick an answer to see whether it's right, why, and the handbook page it comes from.

Signs

You come to this sign. A crosswalk is ahead, and there is no stop line. Where do you stop?

Past the crosswalk and inside the intersection.Before you enter the crosswalk.With your bumper already inside the crosswalk.Only if a pedestrian has started to cross.

Answer: Before you enter the crosswalk.

If there is no stop line at a stop sign, stop before you enter the crosswalk.

Easy to get wrong: Halting with the car sitting in the crosswalk.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 4, p.29
Lanes and turns

The light is green. You want to turn left, and the car ahead is already in the intersection waiting to turn left. What should you do?

Enter and turn left ahead of the car that is waiting.Pull up beside that car and wait inside the intersection.Wait behind the line. Do not enter beside that car.Stay back until the light turns red, then make the turn.

Answer: Wait behind the line. Do not enter beside that car.

On a green light, only the first left-turning driver may wait inside the intersection.

Easy to get wrong: Pulling up beside the car already waiting to turn left, or never entering when you are first.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), p.34
Sharing the road

The school bus rolls forward and the red lights go dark. Children who just got off are near the street. What is still the main danger?

None. You may speed up once the lights go dark.A crash with the bus itself.Only a car passing on the far side of the bus.Children crossing after they leave the bus.

Answer: Children crossing after they leave the bus.

Most school-bus deaths and injuries happen while children cross after getting off, not in crashes with the bus.

Easy to get wrong: Drivers treat the bus as the only hazard and speed up as soon as the lights change.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), p.40
Alcohol and drugs

A 150-pound man stops after three standard drinks. About how long until that alcohol is cleared?

About three hours.About 30 minutes.About one hour.About two hours.

Answer: About three hours.

On average, the body takes about one hour to clear one standard drink. Three of those drinks take about three hours.

Easy to get wrong: Using the one-hour figure once for the whole night, no matter how many drinks.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 9, p.55
Safe driving

You start to feel sleepy and turn up the radio or open a window. Those steps will:

Work as well as a short nap off the roadClear the fatigue within a few minutesNot be enough to keep you awakeKeep you alert for the rest of the trip

Answer: Not be enough to keep you awake

The radio, an open window, and similar tricks will not keep a drowsy driver awake.

Easy to get wrong: Trusting loud music or cold air to stop you from dozing off.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 8, p.52
Emergencies

In heavy city traffic, your brake pedal suddenly drops to the floor. What should you try first?

Shift into park while you are movingPump the pedal to build pressureTurn the ignition off right awayYank the emergency brake fully on

Answer: Pump the pedal to build pressure

If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, pump it to build pressure.

Easy to get wrong: One hard push, or grabbing the emergency brake first.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 10, p.65
Freeway

Your moped may use the right lane on city streets. Ahead is an expressway with no sign about mopeds. May you enter?

Yes. Stay in the right lane and enter with traffic.No, unless a posted sign permits mopeds there.Yes. Ride the shoulder until you can change lanes.No. No sign can ever allow a moped on that road.

Answer: No, unless a posted sign permits mopeds there.

A moped must stay off an expressway or other controlled-access highway unless a posted sign allows it.

Easy to get wrong: Lane rules for a moped make an expressway seem allowed.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), p.74
Licensing

A driver has two passengers under 16 who are not in belts or child seats. What can that driver face for each child?

One fine of up to $50 for the children together.A fine of up to $50, with no points added.Three points one time for the whole car.A fine of $25 to $100 and three points.

Answer: A fine of $25 to $100 and three points.

For each passenger under 16 who is not properly restrained, the driver can be fined $25 to $100 and receive three points.

Easy to get wrong: Remembering one $50 belt fine, or one set of points for the whole car.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), p.48
Parking

You park a manual car on a hill, facing up or down, and set the brake. Which gear do you leave it in?

First gearParkNeutralReverse

Answer: First gear

After you park a manual car on a hill, leave it in first gear.

Easy to get wrong: Reverse feels right when you face downhill, but the manual says first gear on a hill.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 7, p.42
Right of way

No signs or signals control this corner. You and a driver on your right arrive together, and both of you will go straight. What should you do?

Wait only if that driver is about to turn leftLet the driver on your right go firstGo if you think you reached the corner soonerGo first, because no sign gives either of you the turn

Answer: Let the driver on your right go first

At a corner with no signs or signals, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Easy to get wrong: Going first because nobody has a sign, or because you think you got there first.

New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page), Chapter 5, p.34

These are 10 of 1,216. In the app a practice test has 20 questions, like the real one, and your first test each day is free.

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From the New York State Driver's Manual

Edition: MV-21 (5/23), per the DMV's manual page. We read it on October 18. Read it at the DMV. We're an independent study app and aren't connected to the DMV or any state agency. Rules change, so check anything that matters to you with the DMV.

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New York permit test practice questions

You come to this sign. A crosswalk is ahead, and there is no stop line. Where do you stop?

The light is green. You want to turn left, and the car ahead is already in the intersection waiting to turn left. What should you do?

The school bus rolls forward and the red lights go dark. Children who just got off are near the street. What is still the main danger?

A 150-pound man stops after three standard drinks. About how long until that alcohol is cleared?

You start to feel sleepy and turn up the radio or open a window. Those steps will:

In heavy city traffic, your brake pedal suddenly drops to the floor. What should you try first?

Your moped may use the right lane on city streets. Ahead is an expressway with no sign about mopeds. May you enter?

A driver has two passengers under 16 who are not in belts or child seats. What can that driver face for each child?

You park a manual car on a hill, facing up or down, and set the brake. Which gear do you leave it in?

No signs or signals control this corner. You and a driver on your right arrive together, and both of you will go straight. What should you do?

More for New York