A 4-minute lesson from the New York course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Practice is what gets you through the road test. Before you can even book the test you must finish a safe driving course. Junior drivers also need a parent-signed log of practice hours and must hold the permit for six months.
50 hours
Practice before your road test, with at least 15 hours after sunset
At least 10 hours of supervised practice should be in moderate to heavy traffic. Road tests are given on city streets, but practice on expressways and other highways too.
If you can't take a driver ed course or driving school lessons, have the person who teaches you read Parts 2 and 3 of the manual. You can't practice in a DMV road test area or on restricted roads.
Before you can make a road test appointment you must complete an approved safe driver course. High school or college driver education fulfills it; so does the Pre-Licensing course at most driving schools. A pilot Online Pre-Licensing Course is available at 18 or older.
Form on which your parent or guardian certifies you completed at least 50 hours of practice, including at least 15 after sunset, with an appropriate supervising driver.
The vehicle's doors and seat belts must work, and the passenger seat belt must be available and clean for the examiner. Motorcycle applicants must bring a car or truck and a licensed driver to transport the examiner.
DMV-certified Crash Prevention Course, in a classroom or online (I-PIRP). Can cut up to 4 points (once every 18 months) and at least 10% off liability and collision premiums for 3 years.
Your 17-year-old sister has had her junior permit for 7 months, but it was suspended for 45 days along the way. Suspended time doesn't count, so she's held it in valid status for only about 5½ months. She must wait before she can schedule the road test.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How many hours of supervised practice are recommended before your road test, including hours after dark?
At least 20 hours, including 5 after sunset
At least 100 hours, including 30 after sunset
At least 50 hours, all during daylight
At least 50 hours, including 15 after sunset
Answer: At least 50 hours, including 15 after sunset
DMV recommends at least 50 hours of practice before the road test, including at least 15 hours after sunset.