Topics:
Chapter 1 |
Driver Licenses |
Topics: |
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Note: Practice quizzes are available only for those sections of the manual covering rules of the road (Chapters 4 through 11 and Road Signs).
You must have a valid driver license to drive legally in New York State. If you reside in and hold another license from another state or nation, you probably can drive legally in New York State. However, even if you are licensed elsewhere, you may not drive in New York State if you are under age 16.
If you have moved here, you must turn in your out-of-state driver license and obtain a New York State license within 30 days after you become a permanent resident. With few exceptions, it is illegal to hold both a New York State driver license and a license from another state. It is also a violation of Federal law to hold more than one commercial driver license (CDL).
It is a crime to alter or forge any motor vehicle document, including a driver license. This may result in suspension or revocation of the driver license and criminal prosecution leading to a fine or imprisonment.
New York State issues six types of non-commercial licenses. The information in this chapter applies primarily to passenger car and motorcycle licenses. To drive most other types of vehicles, you need a commercial driver license (CDL). For information about commercial driver licenses, refer to the Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10) available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or at any motor vehicle office. You must have a CDL if you drive any vehicle that:
Operator, Class D - Minimum age is 18, or age 17 with driver education (see Driver Education). Allows you to drive a vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs. (11,794 kg) or less. A Class D driver can drive a vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 lbs. (4,536 kg) or less. A Class D driver can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. (4,536 kg) only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 lbs. (11,794 kg) or less. You may also operate Class B and C mopeds with this license. See the important information about changes for Class D drivers that result from a law that eliminates the Non-CDL Class C license.
Junior Operator, Class DJ - Minimum age is 16. A Class DJ license allows you to drive passenger cars and trucks with an unladen weight or a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs. or less. A class DJ driver can drive a vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) with a GVWR of 3,000 lbs. or less. See the graduated license law section of the Resources for the Younger Driver pages at the DMV web site for information about junior operator restrictions.
Non-CDL Class C - See the important information about changes for Class D drivers that result from a law that eliminates the Non-CDL Class C license.
Taxi/Livery, Class E - Minimum age is 18. Allows you to drive the same vehicles as a Class D license, plus transport passengers for hire in a vehicle designed or used to carry 14 or fewer passengers. However, if the vehicle is defined as a bus under Article 19-A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law (e.g., a school car or a van used to transport physically or mentally disabled people), regardless of seating capacity, you must have a CDL.
Motorcycle, Class M - Minimum age is 18, or age 17 with driver education (see Driver Education). Allows you to drive motorcycles and mopeds.
Limited Junior Motorcycle/Junior Motorcycle, Class MJ - Minimum age is 16. Allows you to drive the same vehicles as a Class M license with certain restrictions. See the graduated license law section of the Resources for the Younger Driver pages at the DMV web site for information about junior operator restrictions.
Note: If you have a motorcycle license and another type of license, both classes will be listed on one document (e.g., "Class DM").
Driver Education (To Change Your Class DJ or MJ License to Class D or M) - You may apply to change your junior license to a full license at age 17 if you have received a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) from an approved driver education course. Apply at any motor vehicle office. Otherwise, your junior license will automatically become a full license when you become 18 years old and you do not need to apply for a license change.
Recreational Vehicle or "R" endorsement - Recreational vehicles, with or without air brakes, are not defined as commercial vehicles. You may apply for an "R" endorsement for your Class D or Class E driver license to allow you to operate a recreational vehicle (RV) with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of over 26,001 lbs. (11,794 kg) or more.
To obtain an "R" endorsement, you must: submit a completed Application for Driver License or ID Card (MV-44), indicating a license amendment, to any state or county motor vehicle office; pay a permit fee, which is valid for up to two road tests; and pass a road test in the size and type of vehicle you will be driving. No written test is required. To take the road test, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old who has a license valid for the type of vehicle you will be driving during the test (e.g., a driver license with an "R" endorsement or the appropriate Commercial Driver License). The road test will be about 15 minutes in length and will include turns, intersections and backing the vehicle to the curb. Upon passing the road test, you must go to a motor vehicle office and pay the required fee to complete the license amendment process.
All information and required application forms you need to apply for a driver license are available at any state or county motor vehicle office by request from a DMV Call Center, and from the DMV Internet Office (www.nysdmv.com). To apply for a learner permit, driver license or non-driver identification card, you must complete an Application For Driver License or ID Card (MV-44). You also must pass a vision and written test, and pay application and license fees. Most drivers also must complete an approved 5-hour classroom training course and pass a road test. For more information about how to apply for and receive a license to drive a motorcycle or a commercial vehicle that requires a CDL, refer to the Motorcycle Operator's Manual (MV-21MC) or the Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10).
You must bring your completed application to any motor vehicle office, show the required proof of name and date of birth, and pay the appropriate fee. The addresses of motor vehicle offices are available in the manual. The most recent listing of motor vehicle addresses may be obtained from the DMV Internet Office or by request from a DMV Call Center.
Your first New York State driver license will expire in about 4½ to 5 years, on your month and day of birth. Your fee for a learner permit and license in Class D, DJ, M or MJ will be based on your age and date of birth.
For your own protection, we must be sure who you are. As part of the application, you must provide your social security card. You must present documents that prove your name and age. All proofs must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. If you do not have the proofs on the instruction list, a supervisor may have the authorization to examine and approve other documents. The most recent listing of acceptable documents and assigned point values, described below, is available on the publications License/Permit/ID Instructions (MV-44.1) and Proofs of Identity (ID-44). Each publication is available from the DMV Internet Office or from a DMV Call Center.
Documents that prove your name are assigned a point value. You must present proofs that total six points or more. At least one of the proofs must have your signature. A few examples of common proofs and their point values are listed below.
Each document below has a value of 6 points:
The document below has a value of 4 points:
Each document below has a value of 3 points:
*NOTE: Most documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must be issued for at least one year and valid for at least 6 more months. The USCIS was formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). See the publication Proofs of Identity (ID-44) for additional information.
Each documents below has a value of 2 points:
Each document below has a value of 1 point:
You also must prove your date of birth. Your document must be the original or a certified photocopy from the issuing agency. DMV will accept ANY ONE of these documents:
To pass the vision test, you must have 20/40 vision in at least one eye with or without corrective lenses. If you cannot pass this test or if you wear telescopic lenses, contact a DMV Call Center for further guidance.
The written test for a Class D, M, DJ, MJ or E license examines your knowledge of the rules of the road, safe driving techniques, road signs and their meanings, and the laws about the use of alcohol and drugs while driving. To pass the written test, you must correctly answer at least 14 of the 20 questions asked. All the information you need to pass the written test is contained in this Driver's Manual. You can practice for the written test by answering the questions included in the manual and by taking practice quizzes on-line at the DMV Internet Office (www.nysdmv.com).
If you want a motorcycle license, study the Motorcycle Operator's Manual (MV-21MC). There is a separate commercial driver license written test for a CDL Class A, B, or C. If you are applying for a commercial driver's license, study the Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10).
When you pass the vision and written tests and pay your fees, your learner permit will be issued and you may begin learning to drive. Every time you practice driving, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old who has a license valid for the type of vehicle you are driving.
The DMV web site has information about the restrictions for learner permit holders and the additional restrictions for junior permits (Class DJ or MJ) Depending on your age when you apply, your permit will be valid for three to five years. When you pass the road test, your new license will expire on the same date as your permit would have expired.
However, if you have an existing license or permit and are applying for a permit for a different class of license, the new permit will be valid for one year only. In this case, when you submit your permit application, be sure to ask about special procedures you must follow.
The DMV web site has the information about how to schedule, prepare for and take the road test to qualify for a driver license.
If you are a resident of another state or country and hold a valid driver license there, you may legally drive in New York State. You should not apply for a New York license. Apply for a New York license only after you become a resident of this state. Then, to remain legally licensed, you must apply for a New York State driver license within 30 days after establishing residency.
If you are a new resident with a valid license issued by a U.S. state, territory or possession, or a Canadian province or territory, you must turn in your out-of-state license to get a New York license. You must show additional proof of name worth four points (see ID proofs), and provide your social security card and birth certificate. You also must pass the vision test. If your out-of-state license has been valid for less than six months or had expired more than one year ago, you must also pass the written and road tests and complete the safe driving course.
If you are a new resident licensed in a country other than Canada, you must pass the vision, written and road tests, complete the safe driving course, and turn in your foreign license. When you pass the road test, you must give your foreign license to the DMV motor vehicle license examiner who conducted the test. If you are from Canada, you must only surrender your license at time of application for the New York State license. Your foreign driver license will be destroyed unless you provide the examiner a written request to hold your foreign license on file at a New York State office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The license examiner will tell you which DMV District Office will hold your foreign license. Your foreign license will be returned at your request, but only after you surrender your New York State license.
You are responsible for knowing when your driver license expires and for making sure you renew it on time. In most cases, if the DMV has your current address, you should receive a renewal notice and instructions in the mail about 45 days before your license is due to expire. If you do not receive the notice, you may apply for renewal at any motor vehicle office. You also may renew your license up to one year before its printed expiration date.
Most driver licenses can be renewed through the mail or through the DMV Internet Office. For either renewal process, you must prove you have passed a visual acuity (eye) test within six months, or within one year as determined by a licensed vision health care professional, before the date you renew your license. To renew by mail, you must return to the DMV your renewal application and a completed Visual Acuity Report (MV-619), from a licensed eye-care provider, which documents that you passed the vision test. If you renew on-line through the DMV Internet Office, you will also need information from a Visual Acuity Report that has been completed by your licensed eye-care provider. A Visual Acuity Report form is available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or at any motor vehicle office. You also may bring the license renewal form and the Visual Acuity Report to any motor vehicle office and renew in person. If you apply for a renewal in person, you will be allowed to take the vision test at the motor vehicle office.
When renewing in person, you must present your current license or six points of identification and, if needed, your social security card (see "Proof of Name," page 11). You may renew your license up to one year before your current license expires. Be sure to renew early if your license will expire while you are out of state. If you cannot renew early or a serious illness prevents you from renewing, contact a DMV Call Center.
If you enter military service, your license can be automatically extended throughout your active service and for six months after discharge. You must notify the department within 60 days of the entry date into service. You must submit the form, Notification of Military Service (MV-75), available from the DMV Internet Office, by request from a DMV Call Center, or at any motor vehicle office.
If you change your address you must notify DMV within ten days by letter or on a Change-of-Address Form (MV-232). You also must write the new address in the space provided on the back of your photo license.
The DMV web site has the information about the restrictions on learner permits and the restrictions on junior permits and junior licenses (Class DJ or MJ).