General Restrictions for All Drivers with Learner Permits
No matter what age you are, if you hold a learner permit, you may not drive:
Unless accompanied by a supervising driver age 21 or older who has a license valid to operate the vehicle you are driving. For example, only a person with a motorcycle license may supervise a motorcycle learner.
In a DMV road test area.
On any street within a park in New York City, or any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
On the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.
If you are under age 18, there are other restrictions. Read the Graduated License Law section of the Resources for the Young Driver pages at this web site.
Supervised Practice Driving
Most new drivers who fail their road tests were not adequately prepared. The DMV recommends that all learners have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving before they take their road tests, with at least 15 hours at night (after sunset). It is also recommended that at least 10 hours of supervised practice driving be in moderate to heavy traffic.
If you are under age 18 and have a Class DJ or Class MJ permit, make sure you read about supervised practice driving hours required by law that must be certified by your parent or guardian.
The DMV also recommends that you take a driver education course or professional driving lessons.
It is illegal to practice driving in a DMV road test area.
If you have a motorcycle permit (Class M, MJ or Limited MJ), your supervising driver must exercise general supervision of you while you operate the motorcycle and remain within one-quarter mile of you. The supervising driver should keep you in sight at all times. In addition, the only passenger who can ride with you on the motorcycle is your supervising driver. If you operate a moped with any valid class of permit, the same passenger rules applies.
To Schedule and Take Your Road Test
It is very important that you read What You Need for Your Road Test to make sure you are ready to schedule and take your road test.
How to Change Your Class DJ Junior License to a Class D Senior License with Driver Education
If you have a Class DJ junior license, and you complete a high school or college driver education course, you can change your Class DJ junior license to a Class D senior license when you are 17 years old.
To change the class of your driver license, you must have a form MV-285 driver education certificate issued from a DMV-approved driver education program. You cannot use another certificate.
If you do not have an MV-285, the DMV automatically changes your driver license from Class DJ to Class D on your 18th birthday. The DMV automatically mails you a new driver license that indicates "Class D". You will not get this document faster if you visit a DMV office.
On your 18th birthday, your driver record indicates that you are a Class D driver. There is no need to wait until you have your new Class D driver license before you drive as a senior driver. You can drive as a senior driver on your 18th birthday.
Give your MV-285 driver education certificate to the DMV examiner after your road test. The DMV will update your driver record and will automatically issue a Class D photo driver license on your 17th birthday. You will receive the new driver license in the mail. There is no fee when you change the class of your driver license by this method.
Your driver license record will show that you are a Class D driver. You do not need to have your Class D document to drive as a senior license driver. You can drive on your 17th birthday.
Note: If your 17th birthday occurs on a weekend or a state holiday, your record is updated and your Class D driver license is issued on the next business day.
or
If you did not give your MV-285 driver education certificate to the DMV examiner, you must go to a DMV office. Bring your Class DJ driver license and the MV-285 certificate to a DMV office on your 17th birthday or any following day. Complete form MV-44, and pay the fee of $12.50. You receive a temporary Class D driver license, without a photo, at the office. The DMV mails your Class D photo driver license in approximately two weeks.
You must make the change. If you have an MV-285 certificate and a Class DJ driver license you do not have Class D driving privileges. You must change your driver license from Class DJ to Class D (as described above) in order to get senior driving privileges.
Out-of-state Driver Education courses: You cannot get a NYS a form MV-285 driver education certificate for a driver education course in another state.
westchester driving school
