New York road-test booking, meeting location and day-of-test checklist

For a New York car road test, prepare the booking record, original documents, accompanying driver and vehicle together. Start with the official road-test guide.

Book when you are eligible

You need a valid NY learner permit, approved pre-licensing training or qualifying driver education, and supervised practice. If under 18, wait at least six months from permit issuance before scheduling. Before the test, complete 50 supervised hours, including 15 after sunset, and have your parent/guardian sign MV-262.

Book through the DMV-linked scheduler or 1-518-402-2100. Have your permit client ID, course record, desired ZIP code and at least one unused test. You may choose a test outside your home county. Save the confirmation’s meeting location and directions; it may differ from your permit office.

For certificate courses, MV-278 is valid for one year and MV-285 for two; it must be valid when booking. Bring the original to the test. Approved online pre-licensing completion is reported electronically and requires no MV-278 number or paper certificate. See the course timeline.

Pack your documents

• Physical NY photo learner permit and required glasses or contacts. Mobile ID is not accepted. RT-3 allows a temporary permit without a photo only with a NY photo driver license or NY photo non-driver ID; another state’s photo document does not meet this option.
• Original MV-278 or MV-285 for certificate-based courses. Copies are not accepted. Approved online-course students use their electronic completion record.
• Completed MV-262 at every test if under 18.
• Your accompanying driver’s physical license, valid for the test vehicle.

Arrange the driver and vehicle

If the licensed accompanying driver drives you to the site, DMV requires that driver to be over 18. If you drive there on your permit, the road-test instructions require the accompanying driver to be over 21, and you must also follow all permit restrictions. For junior permits, regional rules also determine who may supervise and when you may drive. Only the accompanying driver may attend; no other passengers are allowed.

Bring a clean, properly operating vehicle with valid registration, insurance and inspection. Permanent plates must be assigned to the vehicle and installed; a car needs two plates. In-transit permits are not accepted. For a rental, bring the rental agreement and written permission authorizing use for the road test, as required by RT-3.

Under the official ADAS testing rules, cameras, blind-spot warnings, parking sensors, automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance are permitted. Cruise control, including adaptive cruise control, and automatic parallel parking are prohibited. Keep checking mirrors and turning your head to observe traffic; the examiner must see that you can operate safely without relying on assistance. Learn the controls before test day.

Arrival, results and another attempt

Check DMV’s cancellations, closings and delays before leaving. Arrive up to 15 minutes early. Practicing in DMV road-test areas is prohibited.

Results appear after 6 p.m. on test day in the official results service. After passing, keep the online interim license with your photo learner permit while waiting for the mailed license. Junior-driver restrictions continue to apply. If unsuccessful, wait at least 14 days before another test; extra fees apply after two failed tests.