Driving Tests

NY Learner Permit Rules: Supervising Driver and Where You Cannot Drive

informational·how to guide·Published June 10, 2026

Who can supervise a New York learner permit holder, and where can't you drive?

Any New York permit holder, at any age, must drive with a supervisor who is 21 or older and has a valid license for the vehicle. That person sits in the front seat with you. No permit holder may drive on New York City park streets, TBTA bridges and tunnels, four Westchester County parkways or in a DMV road test area. Under 18, extra region and time rules apply.

Where these New York permit rules come from

This guide uses the New York State DMV learner permit restrictions page, the DMV page on driving in New York State and the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). The region definitions and the road test wait come from the DMV pages on the graduated license law and on pre-licensing requirements. The information is as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) before you drive.

Who can supervise you on a New York learner permit

Your supervisor must be 21 or older and have a valid license for the vehicle you drive. This rule applies at every age, adults included.
The license must match the vehicle. Only a person with a motorcycle license may supervise a person who learns to ride a motorcycle.
Your supervisor sits in the front seat with you while you drive.
On a motorcycle permit (Class M, MJ or Limited MJ), your supervisor must stay within one-quarter mile of you and keep you in sight at all times.
Under 18, the region and the time of day also limit who can supervise you. The table below shows the rules.

Where you cannot drive with a New York permit

These bans apply to every permit holder, at any age. You may not drive:
- on any street within a park in New York City
- on any bridge or tunnel of the Tri-borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA)
- on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County
- in a DMV road test area
You also cannot practice in a DMV road test area or on any of these restricted roads, so plan your practice route around them before you leave.

Junior permit under 18: who can supervise, by region and time

Junior permit under 18: who can supervise, by region and time
Region	5 AM to 9 PM	9 PM to 5 AM
Upstate (any county north of the New York City border)	Any person 21 or older with a license valid for the vehicle	Only a parent, guardian, in loco parentis person (a person who has taken the role of your parent), driver education teacher or driving school instructor, age 21 or older
New York City (the five boroughs)	Only a parent, guardian, in loco parentis person, driver education teacher or driving school instructor, age 21 or older. The vehicle must have dual controls (dual brakes).	No driving under any circumstances
Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk)	The same people as in New York City, or a person your parent, guardian or in loco parentis person authorizes in writing. Each must be 21 or older with a license valid for the vehicle.	No driving under any circumstances

Passenger rules for a junior permit

Under 18, the only passenger in the front seat is your supervising driver. You may carry no more than one passenger under age 21, unless the passengers are members of your immediate family. More than one passenger under 21 is allowed only when your supervisor is your licensed parent, guardian, in loco parentis person, driver education teacher or driving school instructor. Every passenger wears a seat belt, one belt per person. For example, a 16-year-old who practices with her father can bring one friend, who rides in the back seat with a seat belt on, as the free question on where a friend may ride shows.

Junior permit penalties and the wait for the road test

Under 18, a conviction for 1 serious traffic violation or 2 other violations suspends your junior permit privileges for 60 days. A serious violation is normally one that carries three or more driver violation points. A first conviction for cell phone use or texting suspends the permit for 120 days. You must wait at least six months from the date you received your permit to schedule your road test. Before that test, you need at least 50 hours of supervised practice, with at least 15 hours after sunset. The guide to New York junior license rules covers the license that comes next.

Can you use an out-of-state permit in New York?

You are under 16 and hold a permit from another state

You cannot drive in New York State.

You are 16 or older and your permit is valid outside the state that issued it

You may drive in New York. Obey all restrictions of the state that issued the permit and the New York general permit rules, including the supervisor rule and the banned roads above.

You are 16 or 17 and drive in New York on an out-of-state permit

The New York junior permit rules for your region also apply: the supervisors, hours and passengers above.

Your out-of-state permit does not allow you to drive in New York

Apply for a New York permit at a DMV office. You cannot exchange an out-of-state permit for a New York permit.

Can you drive in another state with a New York permit?

You may drive outside New York with your permit or junior permit if the laws of the other state allow it. You must obey the permit restrictions that apply in that state. Before the trip, check with the police or motor vehicle authorities in the state you will visit.

Key takeaways

Every New York permit holder needs a supervisor who is 21 or older with a valid license for the vehicle, in the front seat.
No permit holder may drive on New York City park streets, TBTA bridges and tunnels, four Westchester County parkways or in a DMV road test area.
Under 18, the region and the time of day decide who can supervise you, and you may carry no more than one passenger under 21 who is not family. In New York City and on Long Island, you cannot drive from 9 PM to 5 AM.
An out-of-state permit works in New York only if you are 16 or older and the permit is valid outside the state that issued it.
Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free New York Class D permit practice test (English only).

New York learner permit restrictions: common questions

Can my older sibling supervise me on a New York permit?

Yes, if your sibling is 21 or older with a valid license for your vehicle and you are 18 or older or drive upstate between 5 AM and 9 PM (see the free question on who may supervise a 16-year-old upstate). On Long Island, from 5 AM to 9 PM, your parent or guardian can authorize your sibling in writing. In New York City, under 18, your sibling cannot supervise you, unless your sibling acts as your parent or guardian.

Can I drive on the highway with a learner permit in New York?

Yes, on roads that the permit allows. The Driver's Manual says road tests are given on city streets, but you should also practice on expressways and other highways. Stay off the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River and Taconic State parkways in Westchester County and TBTA bridges and tunnels. Under 18, the region and time rules also apply.

What counts as upstate, New York City and Long Island?

For the junior rules, upstate is any county north of the New York City border. New York City is the five boroughs. Long Island includes Nassau and Suffolk County. The rules depend on the region where you drive, so check the region of each trip, not only the region where you live.

Can I carry a passenger on a motorcycle or moped learner permit?

Only your supervising driver may ride with you on a motorcycle learner permit (Class M, MJ or Limited MJ). The same passenger rule applies when you ride a moped with any class of learner permit. A friend cannot ride with you, even when your supervisor is close by.

Can I drive at night with a learner permit in New York?

The time rules are for junior permit holders under 18. Upstate, from 9 PM to 5 AM, you may drive only with a parent, guardian, in loco parentis person, driver education teacher or driving school instructor who is 21 or older. In New York City and on Long Island, a junior permit holder cannot drive from 9 PM to 5 AM under any circumstances.