FAQ

What do I have to do to get my New York State Driver’s License?

  • First you have to obtain a Learner’s Permit.  
  • You have to pass the Learner’s Permit Test.

Get your learners permit

Practice test questions for the permit exam

What restrictions do I have while driving with my Learner’s Permit?

Once I get my learner’s permit, how long do I have to wait before I can sign up for my road test?

Every learning driver under the age of 18 must have 6 months of supervised driving with a licensed driver 21 years or older.  Learning drivers MUST have 50 hours behind the wheel which includes 15 hours of driving after dark and 10 hours of driving in moderate to heavy traffic.

What course(s) do I have to take to sign up for my road test?

Every driver wishing to sign up to take a road test MUST take the Five Hour Pre-Licensing Course from a DMV certified Driving School or Public School.  Your certificate of completion (MV 278) is valid for one year.

How do I sign up for my Road Test?

What do I need to bring to the road test?

  • be on time
  • arrive up to 30 minutes before the time of your test
  • if you are late, the license examiner may need to reschedule your road test
  • have all of the following
  • your photo learner permit
  • glasses or contacts, if your permit indicates you need corrective lenses
  • your original Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) or Driver Education Certificate (MV-285), copies are not acceptable
  • if you are under 18, a Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262) completed by your parent or guardian – this must be given to the license examiner each time you take a road test
  • a driver age 21 or older who has a license valid to operate the test vehicle
  • a vehicle to drive during the test that has a valid registration and inspection, operates properly and is in clean condition

I am under the age of 18, what kind of restrictions do I have after I pass my road test?

You may drive unsupervised between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9 p.m.
You are allowed only one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are a family member.

Driving after 9:00 p.m. is only allowed under the following circumstances:

driving with your licensed parent, person in a position of “in loco parentis”, driver education teacher or driving school instructor.
driving home from a credit bearing course of study
driving directly home from work carrying the proper paperwork (MV 58A)

Here is a summary link for Junior License restrictions for Upstate New York:

How will a driving school such as Roman’s Driving Academy help in this process?

  • Roman’s will help you to learn the skills tested on the N.Y. State Road Test.  At Roman’s, instruction in parallel
  • parking, three-point turns, turns, maneuvering in traffic, stopping position, and general driving skills will be taught.
  • You can sign up to take the Road Test using the Roman’s Driving Academy vehicle.
  • Roman’s can make your Road Test appointment with the DMV.
  • Roman’s teaches the Five Hour Course and can provide the MV-278.

Please call Roman’s at 315-635-3123 to locate the nearest Five Hour Course.