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Learner's Permits for Beginner Drivers in New York

Updated on Tue, 1/31/2012

Obtaining a learner's permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in New York. You are eligible to apply for a learner's permit if you are at least 16 years old and:

  • you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
  • you are a new resident of New York who has been licensed in another state or Canada, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than twelve months

Your current out-of-state license must have your photograph.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL LEARNER'S PERMIT

  1. Download a copy of New York State's Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local DMV office.
  2. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have the application form (MV 44) attested by a parent or a legal guardian.
  3. Applicants who are17 years or older and possess a Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion (MV- 285) need not provide parental consent.
  4. Visit your local DMV office to submit the application. You must bring with you:
    • Your Birth certificate and 6 points of proof of your identity. If you cannot provide 6 points of proof your parent or legal guardian must accompany you and complete the MV-45 form at the DMV office. Appropriate proof of identity must be provided by them to the DMV representative. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
    • Your social security card.
    • The correct fee in cash/credit card or personal check.
  5. You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the DMV office. Alternately, you may also submit an eye test report (MV-619) from a licensed eye care practitioner certifiying that your vision meets the basic DMV vision standards. If you pass these tests, you will be issued a learner's permit which is valid for 5 years. Learner's Permit holders may apply for their Junior Drivers License in 6 months.
When driving with a learner's permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older. This person must sit beside you. The leaner's permit in New York includes the following restrictions:
  1. You may drive in New York City or 5 Boroughs (with a vehicle equipped with dual brakes) and Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk) between 5 am and 9 pm supervised by a parent, legal guardian or driving education or training instructor who is at least 21 years of age.
  2. In all the other counties (Upstate), you may drive during all hours if supervised by a licensed adult who is 21 years or older.
  3. Learner's Permit holders cannot drive in a road test area, or on a street in a park in New York City, or on any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, or on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.

LIMITED JUNIOR DRIVER'S LICENSE

The New York DMV will issue a limited-use junior license to learners permit holders who successfully complete their road skills test in the first six months. This license allows you to drive unsupervised during specific hours of the day and specific areas of the state. The requirements are:
  1. Schedule a road skills test online or by calling (518) 402-2100 after sucessfully completing a drivers education course.
  2. Submit a certificate of completion of a minimum 20 hours of supervised driving (form MV-262) by a licensed driving instrutor at the road test. This form must attested by your parent or legal guardian for applicants who are under 18 years of age. Applicants who are 17 years of age and possess a Driver Education Student Certificate of Completion (MV- 285) are exempted from this requirement.
The time and area restrictions for a learner permit are also applicable for limited use junior drivers except in the Upstate New York where the license holders can drive alone between 5 am and 9 pm for school and work related activities or in the case of emergencies. They are also allowed to drive (supervised by parent or legal guardian) in Westchester, Rockland & Putnam Licensees must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 year or older while driving between 9 pm and 5 am at all locations or areas.

THE JUNIOR DRIVER'S LICENSE

The limited junior driver's license can be converted to a normal junior drivers license (full use junior drivers license) 6 months after being issued. Alternately, an applicant can choose to complete the road skills test after 6 months of obtaining the learner's Permit in which case, the DMV will issue a normal junior license (full use junior drivers license). The junior driver's license in New York includes the following restrictions:
  1. Full use junior drivers can drive alone in Upstate New York and Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk) between 5 am and 9 pm and between 9 pm and 5 am only for a school a work related activity. You may not drive unsupervised in New York city (5 boroughs).
  2. Junior drivers can be accompanied by 2 passengers who are under the age of 21 who are not related to you.
  3. There is no restriction on the age or number of immediate family members who can accompany you while driving. However, the front passenger seat can be occupied only by a licensed driver 21 years or older who is supervising you.

THE UNRESTRICTED REGULAR LICENSE

A full, unrestricted license may be issued when you are at least 18 years old A junior driver's license is automatically converted to a regular driver license when you are 18 years of age and do not have no moving or traffic violations. You should have held the junior driver's license for a period of one year.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reviews of Learner's Permits for Beginner Drivers in New York

Submitted by grant93 on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:47.

Do I have to take my learners permit again in new york state if i have i have one in another state?

Submitted by omidawg on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 18:08.

yes of course silly Billy.... NY wants their own permits only. u cannot have a permit from another state because its invalid in nys.

Submitted by Sarirachelle on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 00:11.

I will be 21 in 4 months and I have a class D permit. Do I need to take a 5 hour course and/or road test to get my license?

Submitted by yanru on Thu, 12/22/2011 - 00:31.

I am a international students in New York states. I lost my learning permit. And I am not in US now. I plan to come back on FEB. What should I do?

Submitted by skinnypunk19 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 04:19.

im 19 im wondering if i have my permit can someone under the age of 21 drive with me?

Submitted by Anonymous232 on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 23:21.

How much does it cost to get your permit? im 17 years young.

Submitted by Anonymous232 on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 23:23.

How much does it cost to take out a permit? im 17 years young. then how long do i have to wait to take out my license im turning 18 on February.

Submitted by rell241 on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 18:50.

Can u renew my permit

Submitted by kardz on Wed, 06/29/2011 - 19:45.

my learner's permit is about to expire, can i renew it? thanks

Submitted by mules1162aol.com on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 22:07.

can i renuew my pm

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 20:40.

Aw for some reason i was under the influence that you could get a learners permit at 15

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 05/07/2011 - 22:00.

ive had my permit for about 7 months, it fell out of my wallet and i havnt found it, how much would it be to get another copy of it

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 16:50.

my permit has expired what do i do to renew this permit?

Submitted by Shirley G Joyner on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 23:04.

Can I renew again

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 16:50.

my permit has expired what do i do to renew this permit?

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 21:24.

I am 18 years old and just got my permit, do I have to wait the 6 months and if not how long do I have to wait to go for the road test

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 21:19.

Hey so im 17 turning 18 in about 2 weeks. I just got my permit like 3 weeks ago. My friends say when im 18 i dont have to wait 6 months to go for my driving test. is this true?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 17:03.

Yes, it is.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 01:41.

im turning 21 at the end of the month. my permit doesnt expire for another 2 years, but do i have to renew it cuz im turning 21? im getting conflicting answers cuz i cant get my license till after next month due to bills and not having enough money lol

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 22:18.

Friend of mine, I've tried, a revolution. Everyone screaming, it's not fair. It's not fair. I'll be the Romeo you play the Juliet. The sun won't set until you appear. Cause I know you're the one my love, my love.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 04/17/2011 - 23:01.

dumb bitch

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 20:37.

I'm 21 years old and have not had the time to take a road test. My permit just expired though so do I have to take the permit test again or do I just have to go to the DMV and take a new picture or something?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/22/2011 - 22:08.

If your learner's permit expired you will have to take the written test again. You dont need to take a new picture because you can keep your old picture if you want. It will be extra money for a new picture and you will have to pay additional fees for license fee,application fee, etc..

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 01:11.

Im going to be 18 years old in 3 weeks. i was wondering can I go down to dmv the day you turn 18 and get your full unrestricted regular license or do they have to be automatically mailed to your address?

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 01:09.

Im turning 18 in about 3 weeks, im wondering is it possible to get your full license at dmv the day you are 18 or do they have to be automatically mailed to your address?

Submitted by LA BORI on Tue, 08/03/2010 - 14:13.
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Submitted by pelumi. on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 18:33.

I'm trying to practice written test for free but i can't get through what shall i do?

my e-mail is racheldjy@yahoo.com

Submitted by CEADAMES64 on Sun, 07/11/2010 - 03:36.

I'm want to get a driver permit ...

Submitted by Rico Lucci on Mon, 06/14/2010 - 22:21.

=]

Submitted by I LOVE YOU on Sun, 06/06/2010 - 00:27.

how much is it for a permit???

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/26/2011 - 23:55.

i believe its $75

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 06:27.

im 19 how much will it cost

Submitted by bratspoiled2004 on Mon, 05/31/2010 - 03:02.

how much will it cost to take a learner permit? i'm 24 yr old

Submitted by hondaman5 on Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:19.

how much will it cost to take a learner permit

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 13:54.

90$ in nyc !

Submitted by Rud3boii25 on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 16:36.

i like this article

Submitted by Vanessa D on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 23:59.

I live in New York state with a learners permit, will I be able to drive in Florida with a parent or guardian?

Submitted by johnny blaze on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 04:28.

how much does it cost to take the ny learners permit???

Submitted by sheila.sam1@yah... on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 14:47.

I am 61 years of age. How much will it cost to take the test? bnm

Submitted by edwardpalla on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 22:01.

i had my permin in maryland for a year and it just exspired and i went to driving school for 2 weeks and did 6 hours of drivivng. would i have to do this all over again in n.y.c (http://n.y.c) or will i just have to pay for my id and then take a drivers test?

Submitted by StephanieB4 on Sat, 09/12/2009 - 00:44.

My brother is seventeen years old and he has a lerners permit and we live in New York State. I was wondering since there is no time limit on when he can not drive, can he be a designated driver for someone who is intoxicated?

Submitted by hadrienb on Mon, 08/17/2009 - 07:10.

If I am 16 but have a normal driving license from Texas. Can i drive in New York City with it? Does it count as having a normal license in New York City? Because i see age limits to obtain license but if i already have one i should be fine right?

Submitted by whatsittoya on Sat, 08/20/2011 - 21:06.

You have your junior license and you would need a senior license.

Submitted by jm_reynosof on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 20:44.

I have an international drivers license since I'm 16 years old, now I'm 25 and will like to change my License from the Dominican Republic to the New York State drivers License. What do I have to do?? and do I have to take the road test anyways?????

Thanks,

JM

Submitted by badjung on Sat, 07/25/2009 - 00:24.

hi, actually i'm from california.. and have a learners permit in california can i transfer it here in new york? thanks for your help..

Submitted by zato on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 20:02.

Hello. I'm from eastern Europe and i'm in USA only for summer season. I have my driver license in my country. Is it available in NYC? Can you help me please? Thank you

Submitted by hadrienb on Mon, 08/17/2009 - 07:16.

im not an expert or anything but im pretty sure that if youre over 18 and you have a valid license then you're fine.

Submitted by crazyatdis on Tue, 04/14/2009 - 04:16.

im confused...if i have a junior licences in new york city would i be able to drive alone if im going to skool nd work?

because thts all i rlly use a car for right now.

Submitted by rubicon0513 on Sun, 05/24/2009 - 14:46.

You may not drive unsupervised in New York city (5 boroughs). This is with a juniors license.

Submitted by crgomez188 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 20:43.

where can i take my 5 hour coarse ?