Pass the road test as a junior driver and you get a Junior License (Class DJ or MJ). Until you turn 18, or upgrade with a driver education certificate, graduated licensing rules still control where, when and with whom you drive. As with the permit, the rules depend on the region.
With a junior license:
- No more than one passenger under 21, unless they are members of your immediate family
- You and each passenger wear a seat belt, one person per belt
- Every child passenger uses a correct child restraint
Junior license: where and when
| Region | 5 AM – 9 PM | 9 PM – 5 AM |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (5 boroughs) | You must NOT drive | You must NOT drive |
| Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk) | Alone on listed direct trips, or with a listed adult | Alone only on listed direct trips (no regular job) |
| Upstate (all other counties) | You may drive without being accompanied | Alone only home to/from work or a school course |
Long Island: you may drive alone only directly between home and:
- Employment (5 AM – 9 PM only)
- A work-study program
- A course at a college, university or registered evening high school
- A driver education course
- Farm employment (while engaged in it)
Know the rule
On Long Island from 5 AM to 9 PM you may also drive accompanied by your licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, driver education teacher or driving school instructor.
Handbook p. 16 ↗Know the rule
Upstate from 9 PM to 5 AM, any driving other than directly between home and work or a school course must be accompanied by your licensed parent, guardian or person in loco parentis.
Handbook p. 16 ↗Know the rule
Driving alone to or from work? Carry proof: a Certificate of Employment (MV-58A). In upstate counties only, you may instead carry a dated, signed letter from your employer with the business's and your details and your work schedule.
Handbook p. 16 ↗Know the rule
Driving alone to a school course or work-study program? Carry a dated, signed letter on school or program letterhead with the official's address and phone, the dates, hours and locations, and your name, date of birth and license number.
Handbook p. 16 ↗School course
Instruction licensed or approved by a state agency or department, or U.S. Armed Forces training. Activities or events that give no scholastic credit do NOT count.
Handbook p. 12 ↗Employment
A place of business where you are paid to work on a scheduled basis. You can't drive during work or as part of your work duties.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
To trade a junior license for a senior license, have a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) on file and bring your junior license to a motor vehicle office. If you don't, junior restrictions apply until you turn 18.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
Motorcycle or moped: a permit or junior license (M or MJ) allows no passenger except your supervising driver, who must be licensed for the same class and stay within one-quarter mile. Ideally the supervisor can see you at all times.
Handbook p. 17 ↗Know the rule
You may drive in another state with a learner permit, junior permit or junior license if that state's laws allow it, and you must obey its restrictions.
Handbook p. 17 ↗Put it into practice
You're 17 with a junior license in Suffolk County. At 10 PM you want to drive yourself home from your paid job at a store. That's not allowed: after 9 PM on Long Island, the only solo trips are to work-study, college or evening high school courses, driver ed, or farm work.