Department of Motor Vehicles

Getting a permit is the first step to get your driver license. Most people apply for a Class 'D - Operator' permit. 1  You must be 16 or older and must apply in person at a DMV office. Here are the steps you need to take:

Step 1: Be prepared to take the written permit test

• study the NY State Driver's Manual and take the practice tests
• 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
• to pass, you must get at least 14 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correct
• this includes the correct answers to at least two of the four questions about road signs
• if you are applying for a motorcycle permit, you must get at least three out of the five motorcycle questions correct
  
  

Step 2: Know what to bring to the DMV

• complete this guide to make sure you have the documents and proofs of identification you need BEFORE going to the DMV

Find your proofs

Bringing a parent or guardian is required if you are using the "Statement of Identity and/or Residence by Parent/Guardian (PDF)" (MV-45). 

Step 3: Go to the DMV

• find an office location and see if a reservation is necessary for written test
• apply and pay for your permit (use the fee chart to estimate your cost)
• take your written test (if you fail, you can try again at no additional cost)

For quicker service, make a reservation online before visiting offices in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Onondaga, Monroe or Albany Counties.
For all other counties, see our office locations and hours. 

Make a Reservation

Step 4: Wait up to 2 weeks for your permit to come in the mail

• your permit will be valid for approximately 5 years (the exact expiration date depends on your date of birth and the date that you applied) 
• once you have your permit, you can move onto Step 5. 

Step 5: Prepare for your road test 

• you must have supervised driving practice 2
• you must take a pre-licensing course or a driver education course before you take your road test
• learn how to find a pre-licensing course and prepare for your road test
• you will need to follow all learner permit restrictions
• 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. 

Step 6: Take your road test

• take your road test before your permit expires (you cannot renew a permit)
• schedule & take a road test
• if you pass your test, the examiner will give you an interim license that allows you to drive
• keep the interim license with your photo permit until your new license arrives in the mail (in about 2 weeks)  
• if you fail, start again at Step 5

Still haven't found what you are looking for?  

See a list of learner permit topics.

• 1. There are special requirements to apply for a motorcycle permit/license, a commercial learner permit, a taxi license, or enhanced permit.  
• 2. if you are under 18, a Certification of Supervised Driving (PDF) (MV-262) completed by your parent or guardian.