Once you have a learner permit, you must
If you are under age 18, you must wait at least six months from the date you received your learner permit to schedule your road test
It is a DMV-approved, standardized course that provides the knowledge you will need as a new driver. The course covers many important topics, including
You can find the course curriculum and other information in the Pre-Licensing Course Instructor’s Manual (PDF) [3] (MV-277). There is also a Pre-licensing Course Student's Manual (PDF) [4] (MV-277.1) to help you reinforce the important information contained in the Pre-Licensing Course.
The Classroom Pre-Licensing Course is available through high schools, colleges, and many driving schools and is taught in person or via distance learning. An Online Pre-Licensing Course is also available to license applicants at least 18 years of age. To find Classroom Pre-Licensing Course providers in your area, search online for “Driving Instruction” or use our driving school locator [5].
When you complete the Classroom Pre-Licensing Course, you will be given a Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278). If you complete a high school or college Driver Education course, you will receive a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285), and you do not need a Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278). Unless you have taken the Online Pre-Licensing Course, you must have one of these certificates to schedule your road test. You must bring the original certificate to your road test to turn in to the license examiner. 2
* The Pre-licensing Course will not give you hands-on driving instruction. For supervised driving instruction, please see our driving school locator [2].
Applicants who are at least 18 years of age have the option to take an Online Pre-Licensing Course offered by DMV-approved providers [6] through the Pre-Licensing Course Internet Pilot Program. Both the online and classroom versions of the Pre-Licensing Course cover the same content and provide the knowledge you will need as a new driver.
You can take the Online Pre-Licensing Course as long as you:
You will not receive a completion certificate for this course. The course provider will report your completion of the course electronically to DMV (usually within 48 hours). Once your completion is entered on your permit record, you can schedule your road test either online [7] or by telephone at 1-518-402-2100.
Your Pre-licensing Course Certificate is valid for one year from the date it is issued. A Student Certificate of Completion of Driver Education is valid for two years. If your Pre-licensing Course Certificate expires, you must complete the course again to receive the certificate required to schedule a road test.
Your certificate must be valid on the date that you make your Road Test appointment but can be expired on the date you take your road test.
No, you do not need a Pre-licensing Course Certificate or a Student Certificate of Completion if you have a valid NY State driver license and you apply to amend to another license Class.
If you are under age 18, before you take your road test you must
We recommend that all drivers of all ages have this amount and type of practice. We also recommend that you take a driver education course or professional driving lessons.
There are additional requirements for motorcycle permits. See Get a motorcycle license [9].
Use our driving school locator
[2]
Applicants who complete the online version of the course will NOT receive a Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278). The course provider will report course completions to DMV automatically and applicants will NOT have to show a completion certificate when appearing for the road test.