The Classroom Pre-licensing Course, also known as “the 5-hour classroom course,” was designed by the DMV to provide new drivers with information to help them drive safely. New drivers must complete this course (or a New York State-approved Driver Education Course through an approved high school or college) before they can schedule a driving test for their driver license. For many students, the course is the only formal opportunity to learn the basic rules of the road, safe driving principles, defensive driving skills, and other factors that affect driving.

The course is offered at high schools, colleges, and commercial driving schools, and at a few other DMV-approved sites, such as BOCES. To teach for a high school or college (a New York State Education Department-approved institution), you must be a certified driver education teacher.

Any driving school wanting to provide the pre-licensing course must submit an Authorized Signature List with your driving school application. To teach for a driving school, you must be a certified driving school instructor with a classroom endorsement. All commercial driving schools and other organizations that provide the Classroom Pre-licensing Course must comply with Part 7 of DMV Commissioner's Regulations (PDF). Only approved classroom instructors may teach the Classroom Pre-Licensing Course. Instructors must follow the DMV’s course curriculum and provide instruction only at approved locations. 

The course outline can be found in the Pre-Licensing Course Instructor's Manual (PDF) (MV-277). The Pre-Licensing Course Student's Manual (PDF) (MV-277.1) is available for student use.