View the DMV website for the official graduated licensing laws.

Three Stages of Licensing
  1. Learner Permit

  2. Junior License

  3. Driver License

The first step in getting your license is to pass the Permit Test.

Time to study up!

Driver's Ed Guru

New York State DMV

Limited Junior License

5 AM - 9 PM

You may drive without a supervising driver.

 

9 PM - 5 AM

You may drive without a supervising driver only directly between your home and:

  1. Your employment (must carry appropriate proof of employment)
  2. A school course

You may drive elsewhere only under the direct supervision of one of the following:

  1. Parent
  2. Guardian
  3. Person "in loco parentis"
  4. Driver Education Teacher or Driving School Instructor

The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

The only passenger allowed in the front seat is your supervising driver.

Back to Region Selection
Learner Permit

"Regional Restrictions"

New York City (5 Boroughs)

5 AM - 9 PM

You must only drive under the immediate supervision of your:

  1. Parent
  2. Guardian
  3. Person "in loco parentis"
  4. Driver Education Teacher or Driving School Instructor

The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven. Vehicle must have dual controls (dual brakes).

 

9 PM - 5 AM

You must NOT drive.

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Learner Permit

"Regional Restrictions"

Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)

5 AM - 9 PM

You must only drive under the immediate supervision of your:

  1. Parent
  2. Guardian
  3. Person "in loco parentis"
  4. Driver Education Teacher or Driving School Instructor
  5. Any person who has been designated in writing by your parent, guardian or person "in loco parentis"

The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven. Vehicle must have dual controls (dual brakes).

 

9 PM - 5 AM

You must NOT drive.

Back to Region Selection
Learner Permit

"Regional Restrictions"

Upstate (All other counties)

5 AM - 9 PM

You must only drive under the immediate supervision of:

A person who is at least age 21 and has a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

 

9 PM - 5 AM

You must only drive under the immediate supervision of your:

  1. Parent
  2. Guardian
  3. Person "in loco parentis"
  4. Driver Education Teacher or Driving School Instructor

The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

Junior License

After you have held a permit in valid status for 6 months you may take a road test. DMV will issue you a junior license upon completion.

"Regional Restrictions"

First, select your region:

  1. New York City (5 Boroughs)
  2. Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)
  3. Upstate (All other counties)
Back to Region Selection
Junior License

"Regional Restrictions"

New York City (5 Boroughs)

You must only drive under the immediate supervision of your:

  1. Parent
  2. Guardian
  3. Person "in loco parentis"
  4. Driver Education Teacher or Driving School Instructor

The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

Back to Region Selection
Junior License

"Regional Restrictions"

Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)

You may only drive alone for:

  1. School course
  2. Employment

All other driving must be done under supervision of parent, guardian, driving instructor, or person "in loco parentis". The person must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

Back to Region Selection
Junior License

"Regional Restrictions"

Upstate (All other counties)

5 AM - 9 PM

No restrictions.

 

9 PM - 5 AM

You may only drive alone for:

  1. School course
  2. Employment
  3. Medical appointment
  4. Regularly-scheduled daycare

All other driving must be under the immediate supervision of your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or person “in loco parentis”, who is at least age 21 and has a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

Driver License

"How To Get Your Driver License"

The process to apply for a non-commercial driver license in NYS includes the following steps:

  1. Apply for a Learner Permit. Pay the application fee and the driver license fee. Pass the vision test and the written test. Receive your permit.
  2. Practice for your road test.
  3. Take a driver education course or a DMV-approved pre-licensing course.
  4. Use your education certificate or pre-licensing course certificate to make an appointment, by phone or online, for your road test.
  5. Pass your road test and receive your NYS driver license!