New York DMV Permit Test Sample Questions and Explanations

New York law requires you to signal at least 100 feet before you turn or change lanes. This gives other drivers and pedestrians time to react.

Wrong choices

• 50 feet: 50 feet is too short. New York law requires at least 100 feet.
• 25 feet: 25 feet gives other drivers far too little warning.
• 500 feet: You may signal earlier, but the minimum is 100 feet.

When an emergency vehicle with a siren and flashing lights approaches, pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Wait until it has passed before moving again.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to stay ahead of it: Speeding up is dangerous. Let the emergency vehicle pass.
• Stop right where you are in your lane: Stopping in the lane can block it. Pull to the right first.
• Pull over to the left side of the road: Pull to the right unless an officer tells you otherwise.

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign means STOP. You must come to a full stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop where you can see traffic before entering the intersection. Then go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go on if no one is coming: Slowing down is not enough. You must stop completely, even if the road looks clear.
• Stop only if other cars are at the intersection: You must stop every time, whether or not other traffic is there.
• Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting to cross: The sign applies at all times, not only when pedestrians are present.

A downward-pointing red and white triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first. Stop if you need to, and go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Stop: always come to a full stop: That is the eight-sided red sign. At a yield sign you stop only if needed.
• Do not enter this road: That is a different sign, a red circle with a white bar.
• Merge: traffic must speed up: A yield sign tells you to give way, not to speed up.

In New York, a BAC of 0.08% or more is Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

Wrong choices

• Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) only: DWAI is for lower BAC levels. 0.08% or more is DWI.
• A traffic ticket only: DWI is a serious crime, not a simple ticket.
• Nothing, if they feel fine: How the driver feels does not matter. The BAC level counts.

Only time lowers BAC. Your body removes alcohol slowly. Coffee, cold showers, fresh air, or exercise do not make you sober.

Wrong choices

• Black coffee: Coffee may make you feel awake, but it does not lower BAC.
• A cold shower: A shower does not remove alcohol from your blood.
• Eating a big meal after drinking: Food after drinking does not lower BAC that is already in your blood.

Keep at least two seconds between you and the vehicle ahead in good conditions. Leave more space in rain, snow, at night, or behind large vehicles.

Wrong choices

• At least one second behind the car ahead: One second is not enough time to react and stop.
• One car length, no matter the speed: Car lengths do not change with speed. Use time instead.
• Close enough to read its license plate: That is often much too close.

Dim your high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle so you do not blind the other driver.

Wrong choices

• Within 100 feet of an oncoming vehicle: 100 feet is too late. The other driver would already be blinded.
• Within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle: You may dim earlier, but the rule is 500 feet.
• Only if the other driver flashes their lights: You must dim even if they do not flash.

In normal driving, pass other vehicles on the left. Pass on the right only in special situations, and never by driving onto the shoulder.

Wrong choices

• On the right: Passing on the right is allowed only in a few special situations.
• On either side, whichever is faster: Pass on the left in normal situations.
• On the shoulder: Never drive on the shoulder to pass.

Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need space to connect hoses quickly.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 5 feet: 5 feet is too close. Firefighters need room to reach the hydrant.
• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is still too close. The rule is 15 feet.
• No closer than 30 feet: 30 feet is the distance for stop signs and traffic signals.