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Receiving a New York Drivers License

Who Needs a License?

All new drivers over the age of 16 that wish to partake in the privilege of operating a motorized vehicle on New York must first follow the necessary steps to obtain the proper drivers license.

Which License is for you?

There are many types of licenses available in New York depending on your plans for vehicle operation and your age at the time of application. Types of licenses include:

• Commercial Licenses Class A, B or C is required for work in the state of New York.
• Non-commercial Class D or C are for private operation of a vehicle or the operation of a non-commercial class vehicle for employment.
• A Class M license gives permission to operate a motorcycle on public roads while a Class MJ allows minors under 18 to operate a motorcycle with restrictions.

What are the Requirements for getting a License?

In order to receive a driver license in New York, you must have held a learner’s permit the required amount of time for your age group. A valid learner’s permit must be submitted along with a completed and signed application in person at the DMV office. Addition documents will include:

• Proof of identity showing your birth date and legal name that total six points. The point system can be located in the Drivers Manual or online at DMV office.
• Your valid social security number with a social security card or approved alternative.
• If you do not have a social security number you must provide proof of legal presence in the US.

Minors are also required to submit a parental consent form and proof of driver’s education, as well as the parent driving time log signed and completed with required hours. All new drivers must pay their licensing fees at the time of application with a check, cash or money order. All new drivers must take a vision exam and road skills test to be licensed. New drivers that have not taken drivers education must take the written test and correctly answer 14 out of 20 questions to pass.

What Tests do I need to get a License?

• A vision screening is given to all new drivers at the time of application.
• A written skills test must be taken by new drivers who have not taken drivers education and new residents to the state.
• A road skills test must be passed in order to complete the license process.

Drivers education is highly recommended though not required if over 18 years of age. If a course is successfully completed you may be exempt from the written test portion of licensing.

Preparing for the Written Test

Those over 18 choosing not to take a drivers education course and even individuals that do take the course will benefit from study time before taking the written test. Failing and having to retake the test will cause delays in your license process. You can begin by obtaining the Drivers Handbook either online or at your DMV office and study the materials listed in the sections. Cheat Sheets produced by Dmvcheatsheets.com will have all of the detailed information you need to study to pass your test. This includes state driving laws and safe driving practices, rules of the road and common traffic signs and signals you must know.

Once you have created a study plan Dmvcheatsheets.com and stuck to it, test your abilities with several practice tests available at dmvcheatsheets.com to assure you are ready to pass on the first try.

What to Bring on Test Day

Read in advance the point system and required document lists found on at the DMV website and gather together required proofs that will total 6 points to bring with you the day of application. You will also need your social security card or approved alternative or proof of legal presence in the US if you do not have a social security number. You will also need the completed application, your valid permit and the amount of fees in check, cash or money order form.

Minors will need to bring their parental consent form and proof of driver’s education, as well as the completed and signed parent confirmation of driving practice hours form.

Costs of a Drivers Test

Driver’s license fees include the testing fees associated with getting a new drivers license. In addition, the license fees include a mandatory $10 MCTD or commuter transit free of one dollar per year. The amount will depend on your age at the time of application and includes:

• 16-16 ½- $90.00
• 16 ½ 17 $85.75
• 17- 17 ½ – $102.50
• 17 ½ – 18- $98.25
• 18 and older range from $90.00 to $85.75
• 21 and older- $77.50

Taking the Written Test

Your written tests are administered at the DMV during specific testing hours and only after you have completed previous steps including a vision exam. The test will consist of 20 multiple choice questions and you must answer 14 out of 20 correctly to pass. You must also answer 2 out of 4 questions involving signs in order to receive a passing score. Studying in advance is advised if you wish to pass the test and avoid wasting time on retests.

Those that chose to take an approved drivers education course may be exempt from the written test.

Study your Drivers Handbook online and use the cheat sheets Dmvcheatsheets.com available for New York online to assuring a passing score. Remember to take several practice tests to assure you are ready for the written test and look into some informative articles Dmvcheatsheets.com full of tips for passing your written and road tests.

Taking the Driving Test

It can take several weeks to receive an appointment for your road test so be sure to schedule well in advance and be fully prepared for test day. Your permit must still be valid at the time of testing as well. Drivers that have not take drivers education are required to attend a five hour safe driving course before being granted permission to take the road test. You must present either a valid proof of successful completion of driver’s education or of the five hour safe driving course at the time you take the test.

You must provide a vehicle that is safe and in good condition for the test and be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21 if you drive to the test. The test will be scored on a point system and test your ability to competently drive a vehicle on roadways. Brush up on your knowledge of traffic rules, signs and signals with cheat sheets before taking the test to assure you obey all laws correctly in addition to maintaining control of the vehicle.

Renewing your New York Drivers License

Who needs to renew their license?

Your driver’s license must be renewed every eight years if you wish to continue the driving privilege.

How do I renew my New York License?

Renewal is most commonly done by visiting your closets DMV office in person however some individuals qualify for mail renewal.

What tests do I need to take to renew?

All applicants renewing their license must take the vision test. For mail renewals, your physician can complete the form which will be valid for six months from the appointment date.

Preparing to renew my New York license

Preparing for your license renewal is important if you wish the process to go smoothly:

• For renewal by mail you must fill out in the form provided to you in full, answering all questions. Include your DMV client ID number or full date of birth and name if you do not have this number. In addition, you must photocopy proofs of identity equaling up to six points to be mailed in with your renewal form. Remember to provide renewal fees by check or money order only in the envelope and mail back to the DMV.
• For in person renewals, gather your proofs of identity totaling six points. These must be originals, copies are only accepted if renewing by mail. Bring your current license and renewal form to the DMV office. You will be submitted to a vision screening and new photo. Pay the appropriate renewal fees by check, cash or money order.
• Unless restricted, you may renew online only if a photo, signature and social security number are on file with the DMV. In addition you must live at the same address on file with the office. Follow the online prompts at the DMV website to renew and fees are payable online only by credit or debit card.

What is the cost to renew my license?

Specific counties are also subject to the MCTD or commuter fee included in the price of their license renewal of $1.00 for every year their license is valid. License renewal fees are $64.50 for residents not in the listed counties qualifying for this tax and $80.00 for all others required paying. There is an addition $8 fee for those holding a Class M or MJ license in addition to a standard operating license.

Steps to renew your license

Read your renewal notice to assure if you qualify for the online or mail in renewal options. You will still need to visit the branch office for a vision screening or have a physician fill out the testing form in advance in order to renew using any of the three options.

Gather together all required proofs which will include:

• For in person renewals you need original copies of your identification proofs totaling six points, which may include your current license or addition ID if your license is lost. Your fees may be paid by check, cash or money order so assure you have the appropriate form. You will also need to complete your renewal form.
• Online renewals simply follow the prompts to renew and pay by credit or debit card.
• Mail in renewals are required to submit the same documentation as an in-person renewal, however in this case only copies will be accepted. Fill out your mail in renewal form, sign and submit with copies of identification totaling six points. Enclose your DMV customer number if possible. Mail in renewals can be paid by check or money order only.

Your new license will arrive by mail to the address on file with the DMV office. Renewals online or by mail cannot be done if the DMV cannot locate your photo, signature or social security number in the system.

Getting a New York Learners Permit

Who needs a learners permit?

All new drivers wishing to operate a vehicle for the first time or to upgrade to another class of license must first obtain a learners permit for their license type. Standard operating license permits can be obtained when the new driver reaches the age of 16 years old.

Requirements for getting a learners permit

All applicants will be required to submit a learner’s permit Dmvcheatsheets.com application. Minors under the age of 18 will also need a signed parental consent form which can be signed in advance if the parent cannot accompany the new driver to the DMV. Documents that must be submitted will be subjected to a point system with the minimum score allowed being a 6. Applicants are required to apply in person at the nearest DMV office and submit the following documents:

• Proof of identity showing your full legal name and date of birth totaling six points. Minors who cannot reach the required points may have a parent fill out the identity form as proof of identity.
• You must provide a valid social security card or approved equivalent. If you do not have a social security card you must provide valid, approved documentation that you are legally allowed to reside in the US.
• You will be required to take a digital phone which will be kept on file along with a digital copy of your signature.
• All new permit applicants must take the vision test and written permit test in order to receive a learner’s permit. The test will consist of 20 multiple choice questions to which you will be required to answer 14 correctly. You must answer 2 out of 4 road signs questions to pass.
• In addition all new applicants will pay the applicant and licensing fees in the form of check.

Driving with a New York learners permit

Specific restrictions apply to all new permit holders regardless of age. All new permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed adult over the age of 21 at all times. Learners may not drive on any bridge or tunnel under the Triborough Bridge or Tunnel Authority, on the Cross Country, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River or Taconic state parkways at any time. In addition, learners of any age are not permitted to drive in area in or near a park in New York City.

It recommended that new drivers practice at least 50 hours behind the wheel before taking the road test to assure a passing grade. In addition new drivers should use 10 of those hours for night driving and at least 15 in heavy traffic. Driving practice hours are recommended for over 18 learners and required for those under 18. A parent must sign the certification of driving practice form in order to move on to a license.

Permit holders under the age of 18, unless 17 must hold the permit for practice for at least 6 months before applying for a license.

Cost of a learners permit

The learners permit cost is included in the license fee which will be determined by your age at the time of application. This ranges from $77.50 to $102.50. You may see the online pay schedule for your specific amount. In addition specific counties will include a $1 per year public transit fee.

Steps to getting a New York learners permit

In order to apply you must visit your DMV in person and follow these steps:

• Fill out an application and sign- minors will be required to submit a signed parental consent form at this time.
• Submit six points worth of proof of identity with original copies of each document.
• Submit proof of your social security number with a social security card or approved equivalent.
• If you do not have a social security card, present approved proof of legal residence in the US.
• Take the vision screen with appropriate score.
• Either submit proof of successful completion of drivers education or take the written test and pass.
• Have a photo taken and your signature documented electronically.
• Pay your fees with a check, cash or money order to complete the process