Driving Tests

NY Road Test: How to Schedule It and What to Bring

informational·how to guide·Published May 27, 2026

When can I take the New York road test?

If you are under 18, you can schedule the New York road test at least 6 months after you get your learner permit, with 50 hours of supervised practice (15 after sunset) on a signed MV-262. At any age, you need a valid learner permit and an original, unexpired MV-278 or MV-285 course certificate. Schedule online or call the DMV at 1-518-402-2100.

Where this information comes from

The facts here come from the New York State DMV pages on how to schedule and take a road test and how to complete the pre-licensing requirements, and from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). The DMV pages on road test results, learner permit restrictions, information for parents and new driver restrictions add details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New York State DMV (dmv.ny.gov) before you drive.

How long must I wait before the road test?

If you are under 18, wait at least 6 months from the date you got your learner permit before you schedule the road test. The permit must stay valid for those 6 months: time when it is suspended or revoked does not count. Try the free practice question on the junior permit holding period to check the rule. When you pass, the DMV issues a junior license (Class DJ or MJ).

What you need before you schedule the road test

What you need before you schedule the road test
Item	Who needs it	What the DMV asks for
Learner permit	Everyone	A valid New York State learner permit. Under 18: held at least 6 months.
Course certificate	Everyone	An original, unexpired MV-278 (5-hour course) or MV-285 (driver education).
Unused road test	Everyone	At least 1 unused road test.
Supervised practice	Class DJ or MJ permit holders	At least 50 hours, with at least 15 after sunset. At least 10 hours in moderate to heavy traffic are recommended.
MV-262	Age 16 or 17 with a junior permit	Your parent or guardian signs it to certify the practice hours.

Which course do I need before the road test?

Before the road test, you must complete the 5-hour pre-licensing course, unless you complete a 48-hour driver education program through a high school or college. If you take the 5-hour course in person, its certificate is valid for one year, and you need an unexpired certificate to schedule the test. Our guide to the 5-hour pre-licensing course compares the two options.

How to schedule your New York road test

1
Get your items ready
Have your learner permit, your MV-278 or MV-285 details and the ZIP code of the area where you want to take the test.
2
Use the DMV scheduling system
Enter the ZIP code. The system shows the earliest available dates and times at test sites near it.
3
Or schedule by phone
Call 1-518-402-2100 to schedule, reschedule or cancel your road test appointment.
4
Plan for the wait
The earliest date is usually 3 to 5 weeks away. In summer and during school breaks, it can be up to 10 weeks. There are no waiting lists. Tests are almost always on weekdays, and only rarely on a Saturday.

What to bring to the road test

Your physical photo learner permit.
Your original MV-278 (5-hour course certificate). Copies are not accepted. If you took driver education, your MV-285 can be on file with the DMV instead.
The MV-262 if you are under 18. Your parent or guardian completes it. Give it to the license examiner each time you take a road test.
Glasses or contacts, if your permit says you need corrective lenses.
A licensed driver to go with you. The driver must be over 18 if a licensed driver brings you to the test site, or over 21 if you drive to the test site. The driver needs a physical license that is valid for the test car. Mobile ID is not accepted for either driver.
A test car with a valid registration, insurance and inspection. It must work properly and be clean.

Rules for the test car and the test site

The car must have permanent license plates: two plates on a car. In-transit permits are not allowed for road tests. Doors and seat belts must work, and the passenger side seat belt must be available and clean for the examiner. Only the accompanying driver may come with you, so no other passengers are allowed. You cannot practice driving at a New York State test site or in a DMV road test area.

What happens on test day

Arrive up to 15 minutes before your test time. If you are late, the examiner may not be able to give the test, and you will have to reschedule. Bad weather or road construction can cancel or move a test, so check for cancellations, closings and delays before you leave. Not all test sites have a shelter. Before the test, the examiner takes pictures of you, your documents, your permit and your car. Road tests are given on city streets. Parallel parking is part of every road test, and you may need to make a three-point turn.

Errors the examiner marks on a Class D road test

Leaving the curb: not signaling as you pull away, or not turning your head to check the blind spot.
Turns: a turn that is too wide or too short for the road and its lanes.
Parking and three-point turns: a three-point turn not done correctly, too many moves to park or turn, or a final position too far from the curb. Check the final parking position.
Driving in traffic: following too closely, not yielding the right of way when required, or driving so slowly that you block traffic.
Driver assistance: the examiner checks that you drive safely and do not rely on driver assistance features. The examiner's scoring is final.

After the road test: pass or fail

You finish the test

The examiner tells you how to get your results online. Results are posted after 6 p.m. on the day of your test.

You pass

An interim license that lets you drive is available online. Keep it with your photo learner permit. Your photo license arrives by mail in about 2 weeks. All new drivers, at any age, have a 6-month probation period after they pass. Under 18 with a Class DJ or MJ license, you must obey the junior driver restrictions.

You fail

Your learner permit stays valid until its expiration date. Wait at least 14 days before you take the test again. If you failed your first two road tests, you must pay additional fees for the next one.

Your learner permit expires before your next road test

You must get a new learner permit.

Key takeaways

Under 18, wait at least 6 months from your permit date before you schedule, and log 50 hours of practice with 15 after sunset.
Schedule online by ZIP code or call 1-518-402-2100. Expect 3 to 5 weeks, and up to 10 weeks at peak times.
Bring your photo permit, the original MV-278, the MV-262 if you are under 18, a driver over 18 or 21, and a clean, legal car.
Results are online after 6 p.m. on test day. After a fail, wait at least 14 days to test again.
Next step: practice turns, parking and right-of-way rules on the free New York Class D permit practice test.

NY road test: common questions

Do I need to bring the MV-262 every time I take the road test?

Yes, if you are 16 or 17 with a junior learner permit. Your parent or guardian completes and signs the MV-262 to certify your supervised practice hours. Give the form to the license examiner each time you take a road test, also when you take the test again after a fail.

Can I take my road test in another county?

Yes. You do not need to take the road test in the county or area of the state where you live. Enter the ZIP code of the area that you want, and the scheduling system shows the earliest dates and times at test sites near it.

Can I use parking assist or cruise control on the NY road test?

No. During the driving test, you cannot use certain safety features, such as parking assist and cruise control. The examiner checks that you can drive the car safely and that you did not rely on driver assistance features. Practice parking with head checks and your mirrors before test day.

Can I drive in New York City after I pass the road test at 16 or 17?

Not with a junior license. A Class DJ or MJ junior license does not let you drive in the five boroughs of New York City under any circumstances. The DMV advises junior permit holders who plan to drive a lot in the city to wait until their 18th birthday for the road test, to get more supervised practice in cars with dual brakes.

What do I need to pay for another road test online?

If you failed your first two road tests, you pay additional fees for the next test, and you can pay for additional road tests online. Have your Client Identification Number (CID), your document number, your date of birth and the ZIP code that the DMV has on file. You need at least 1 unused road test to schedule.