New York supervised driving: 50 hours, 15 at night.

Everything a New York parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.

What New York actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official New York driver handbook.

The New York graduated licensing path

  1. Learner permit — from age 16

    Requirements: Pass the written exam. Complete 50 supervised hours (15 at night) and a pre-licensing course before the road test.

    Restrictions: Supervising driver 21+ must ride with you. Region-specific rules apply: no driving in New York City, and Long Island/Westchester/Rockland/Suffolk/Nassau permits carry extra limits.

  2. Junior (Class DJ/MJ) license — from age 16.5

    Requirements: Pass the road test after the supervised-hour and pre-licensing course requirements are certified.

    Restrictions: Outside NYC and Long Island: driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. with limits on passengers under 21 (one non-family passenger). Stricter rules apply on Long Island and in NYC.

  3. Senior license — from age 17-18

    Requirements: Junior license upgrades at 17 with driver education, or automatically at 18.

    Restrictions: None specific to age.

New York laws your teen will be tested on

New York seat belt rule

In New York, you and each passenger must wear a seat belt - one belt per person - and every child passenger needs a correct child restraint. With a junior permit, the only front-seat passenger allowed is the supervising driver.

New York speed rule

If no speed limit is posted in New York, the maximum is 55 mph. Expressways are normally 55 mph and can be posted at 65 mph in some rural areas - and the safe speed is often lower than the legal one.

New York alcohol and phone laws

New York's Zero Tolerance law makes it a violation for anyone under 21 to drive with any measurable BAC (.02 to .07), with a six-month suspension. Speaking into or listening to a hand-held phone while driving is a traffic infraction carrying a fine and five license points.

New York School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

Always stop for a school bus with flashing red lights. Yield to pedestrians at all marked or unmarked crosswalks and intersections, and never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

New York Move Over & Emergency Scenes

Slow down on every road for a stopped emergency or hazard vehicle displaying activated emergency or hazard lights. On multilane controlled-access roads, move out of the adjacent lane unless traffic or another hazard makes that unsafe.

New York Right-of-Way Rules

Yield to traffic already in an intersection; when turning left, yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be a hazard; and at uncontrolled intersections or simultaneous right-angle stops, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Stop and yield when entering from a driveway or private road, yield to pedestrians legally using marked or unmarked crosswalks, and yield to drivers already in a traffic circle or rotary.

A real New York practice question

What is the minimum age for a New York Junior Motorcycle Class MJ license?

A person must be at least 16 years old to obtain a Junior Motorcycle Class MJ license.

New York driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does New York require?
New York requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 15 hours after dark.
What counts as a night driving hour in New York?
Driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time counts toward the 15-hour night requirement.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New York?
A New York learner's permit can be issued starting at age 16.
How many questions are on the New York written test?
The New York knowledge exam has 20 questions and requires 70% correct to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have New York practice questions?
Yes — 97 practice questions written from the official New York driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track the 50 hours?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward New York's 50 hours automatically.
Is the New York driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The New York licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Learner permit stage in New York?
Supervising driver 21+ must ride with you. Region-specific rules apply: no driving in New York City, and Long Island/Westchester/Rockland/Suffolk/Nassau permits carry extra limits.
What restrictions apply during the Junior (Class DJ/MJ) license stage in New York?
Outside NYC and Long Island: driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. with limits on passengers under 21 (one non-family passenger). Stricter rules apply on Long Island and in NYC.
What restrictions apply during the Senior license stage in New York?
None specific to age.

Start logging New York hours today

Create your free account · Compare plans

All state requirements · New Mexico requirements · North Carolina requirements · North Dakota requirements