New York safe driving practice questions
2 questions below test New York’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or New York Department of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The New York permit knowledge test has 20 questions in total and needs 14 correct (70%) to pass.
New York law
2 questions on New York’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. In New York work zones, ticket fines for speeding:
- Double, even when workers or work vehicles are not there
- BApply only on weekdays
- CApply only under 25 mph
- DAre waived if workers are not present
Answer: Double, even when workers or work vehicles are not there. The New York State Driver's Manual states that when you speed in work zones, ticket fines double, even when the workers or work vehicles are not there.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual — How to Drive Safely in Work Zones
2. In New York State, speaking into or listening to a hand-held mobile telephone while driving is:
- AAllowed under 30 mph
- A traffic infraction (hands-free phones may be used)
- CLegal if you use one hand on the wheel
- DAllowed only on divided highways
Answer: A traffic infraction (hands-free phones may be used). The New York State Driver's Manual states it is a traffic infraction to speak into or listen to a hand-held mobile telephone while driving; a hands-free phone may be used.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual — Cell phones and portable electronic devices
Sources for the New York items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the New York items above for 12 questions in total.
1. Before backing out of a parking space, the safest practice is to:
- ASound the horn continuously
- BRely only on the backup camera
- Walk around the vehicle and check behind it
- DBack out quickly to reduce exposure
Answer: Walk around the vehicle and check behind it. Small children and low obstacles sit below the sightline of mirrors and many cameras. Checking behind the vehicle first is the only reliable method.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Basic control — backing
2. Another driver is following you far too closely. The safest response is to:
- ABrake sharply to warn them
- Increase your following distance and let them pass
- CSpeed up to outrun them
- DTurn on your hazard lights and stop
Answer: Increase your following distance and let them pass. Adding space ahead gives you room to slow gradually rather than brake hard. Move over when you safely can and let them by.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — aggressive drivers
3. When must low-beam headlights be turned on in most jurisdictions?
- AWhenever driving above 45 mph
- BOnly during heavy snowfall
- From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- DOnly when driving on dark rural roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Lighting requirements — headlights
More New York topics
Other New York rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current New York rules
Statutes and handbooks change. New York Department of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for New York safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit New York Department of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About New York safe driving rules and this practice set.