New York permit test: the separate road-sign passing requirement

New York’s written-test passing conditions are at least 14 correct answers out of 20, including at least 2 correct road-sign answers out of 4. A sufficient total does not cancel the sign requirement.

Two scores to check

Result	Outcome under the two conditions
14/20 overall, 2/4 signs	Meets both passing conditions.
14/20 overall, 1/4 signs	Does not meet the sign condition.
13/20 overall, 4/4 signs	Does not meet the overall condition.

The four sign questions are part of the 20-question total. For example, 12 correct answers on other topics plus 2 correct sign answers make 14/20 and meet both conditions. Aim to understand all four sign questions so a weak topic does not leave you dependent on the minimum.

Study signs as a separate topic

Use Chapter 4 and Road Signs You Must Know, which includes the official sign quiz. For each sign, name its shape, color, meaning and required driving action.

Compare similar pairs: right lane ends warns that drivers in the right lane need to move left safely; merging traffic from the right warns that other traffic joins. Divided highway ends and two-way traffic also deserve separate review. Say what changes ahead before choosing an answer. Our sign study guide gives a practice routine.

After each NY Driver practice set, review sign errors separately from your overall score. Revisit the official illustration and explain the action without looking at the answer choices.

Official references

NY DMV Chapter 1 for passing requirements and Chapter 4 for sign study.