Study the practice tests

Both Class D and M permit tests are given in 16 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Proof of age, identity, and residence

When you apply, you will need to provide proof of age, identification, and residence.  Your permit will be Standard, Enhanced, or REAL ID, depending on the proofs you bring and the fee. 

What is the difference between a Standard, Enhanced, or Real ID?

See a side-by-side comparison to learn more and determine which type of permit is right for you. 

See what documents you need

Document Guide For Enhanced or REAL ID Permit

Document Guide For a Standard Permit

You can also see a complete list:  How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit/Driver License/Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (ID-44).

If you use the "Statement of Identity and/or Residence by Parent/Guardian (PDF)" (MV-45), your parent or guardian must come with you.

You can begin your application online or at a DMV office. 

Online

You can submit your application and take your test online, at home, and come to the DMV to complete your application. Follow these instructions

• Expect the test to take 30-40 minutes to complete
• We recommend you use a PC or tablet (smartphones may not properly display the questions)

•  If you are under 18：Your parent/guardian must supervise the test, that parent/guardian must come with you to a DMV office to complete your process, and sign the Online Permit Test Parent/Guardian Certification (PDF) (MV-263) in front of a DMV representative
• If you are 18 or older, you must  sign the Online Permit Test Attestation for Applicants 18 Years of Age and Older (PDF) (MV-264) at a DMV office, in front of a DMV representative
• To pass the test, you must correctly answer at least: 80% of the overall questions, and 50% of the questions relating to road signs

• Show the originals of the documents you uploaded
• Have your photo taken
• Pay the permit fee
• Get a temporary permit (you will receive your permit within 2 weeks by mail)

At a DMV office

You can come to a DMV to apply (but is easier if you start your application online). Follow these instructions
1:  Bring

• Your application
• Your proofs of identity, age, and residence
• Fee for payment – see the fee chart to estimate the cost

• To pass, you must get at least 14 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correct, including the correct answers to at least two of the four questions about road signs

• We will give you a temporary permit at the office
• You will receive your permit within 2 weeks by mail

Once you get your permit, you will need to pass a road test to get your full driver license.   

First, prepare for your road test

• You must have supervised driving practice
• 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