We know that taking your New York road test can be nerve-wracking. With a little preparation and insight into the test itself, there's nothing to be worried about. This guide will make sure you know the specific requirements in New York, what you can expect on the road test itself and give our best practice tips. Here's exactly what you need to know to pass your New York road test. And if you want to watch a mock road test video on what you need to know for the New York road test, read until the end!
What to know before your New York road test
First, you need to have a road test scheduled. There are no walk-ins. Save time and book your road test online with us. Next, make sure you have valid registration and insurance for the vehicle you’ll be taking your test in. You’ll need these documents at the DMV the day of your test. Also, make sure your testing vehicle meets New York requirements and that you have a licensed driver to accompany you to your road test. We’ve listed the car requirements out for you in the next section, to make it easier to go through and check off each one.
In New York, you'll also need to bring your original Pre-Licensing Course certificate. You'll need this to book your road test online as well, so if you haven't done the 5-hour course yet, we recommend taking it as soon as possible. Search online and you'll find many driving schools, high schools and colleges in your area that offer it almost every weekend.
Once you've verified your road test, car paperwork, Pre-Licensing course, and car requirements, it’s time for more practice. In New York, you can practice anywhere except the neighborhood around the DMV where you'll be taking your road test. We recommend practicing in parking lots and neighborhoods and have listed the maneuvers below that you can expect to be tested on.
What are the vehicle requirements for the New York road test?
Many people are denied testing because their car doesn’t meet the necessary requirements. Check these and check them again. Here’s what your testing vehicle needs to have:
- Current registration, insurance, and inspection sticker
- A windshield with no cracks or debris that would obstruct the view
- Working doors: the driver and passenger doors must open from inside and outside
- Working lights: brake lights, front and back turn signal lights, headlights and taillights
- Key safety requirements: working speedometer, horn, rearview mirror, seatbelts, and windshield wipers
- No service or warning lights illuminated on the dashboard
If you don’t have a car or yours doesn’t meet these requirements, you have a few options. You can get a car through a driving school, see if a friend or family member is available to accompany you and lend their car, or Skip offers a car and driver service for New York road tests, which you can reserve ahead of time online.
What to know the day of your New York road test
These are the maneuvers that we recommend you practice. These are what you can expect to be tested on:
- Steer and accelerate smoothly and moderately whether your driving straight ahead, backing up or turning. Don't race the engine or cause it to stall. The smoother you drive, the easier it will be to react appropriately to everything going on in New York streets.
- Don't drive too slow. Stay the speed limit. We've seen a number of folks in New York get points docked for driving too slowly (especially in city traffic) and thus impeding traffic flow. And of course adjust your speed as necessary for weather, road, visibility and traffic conditions.
- Brake smoothly. Many people wait until the last minute to break, resulting in an abrupt stop. Best to start braking well before your stopping position to keep things smooth and your New York tester happy. 🙂
- Turn into the same lane. If you're in the left lane, stay in the left lane after turning and same for the right side. This is a common error, so be mindful of which lane you're in and where you're going.
- Always look in the direction you're driving. If you're backing up or turning, looking in your mirrors is not enough. You must also turn and physically look and check your blind spot.
- Stop correctly at stop signs. Slow down smoothly and make sure to stop before the white line. We've seen people fail because they stopped after the white line. Don't make that mistake.
What happens after my New York road test?
Congratulations on making it this far! If you passed your test, the license examiner will give you your interim license that allows you to drive. You'll want to keep this on you when you're driving along with your learner's permit until you receive your laminated driver's license, which should come in the mail in about 2 weeks. If you failed, not to worry, most people pass by their second try. You can take the test as soon as one day later in New York. Each time, make sure you have a licensed driver and car for your road test. In the meantime, keep practicing and reschedule your test when you feel ready. 🙂
Now enjoy this video with Skip concierge Aric as he explains what you need to know to pass your New York driving test! (And your New Jersey driving test too).