At What Age Can You Get Your License in NY?

You can apply for your first driver’s license as early as 16. Don’t run out and start your application just yet! You have to take care of a few things before the state turns you loose on the road.

This article will explain the driver’s license application process, including restrictions for young drivers, learner’s permit requirements and online training options.

What's the Minimum Age to Obtain a Driver's License in New York State?

In New York, the minimum age to drive is 16 years old. As a brand-new motorist, you must start your driving career with a junior license. Before you apply, you must:

Be at least 16 years old
Hold a learner's permit for at least six months
Complete a driver's education course

After confirming your eligibility, you can schedule your driving test. Find the driver’s license application on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) website. You can also check this site to figure out which documents you will need as proof of identity.

At the very least, you will want to collect paperwork like a birth certificate, valid passport, Social Security card and other state or federal ID.

Under the NY Graduated Driver License Law (GDL), minors must wait until they are 18 and have had a learner’s permit for at least six months before they can schedule a road test for a full Class D license.

A junior license comes with some important limits. Until you hold an unrestricted Class D license, you must be careful about when you drive and who you bring along.

GDL Restrictions

New York imposes driving restrictions for young drivers to protect everyone on the road. Motorists with a learner's permit may only drive between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. with supervision — except in New York City. NYC is off-limits at any time until 18.

Those with a junior license can drive unsupervised during daytime hours everywhere in New York except the five boroughs. Until 18, you may have only one passenger under 21 beyond members of your immediate family. Remember to wear your seatbelt — it is legally required at all times.

Drivers of all ages are prohibited from using mobile or electronic devices. Don’t text and drive!

What Are the New York State Driver Education Requirements for Young License Applicants?

New York State requires young applicants to take a pre-licensing course and complete supervised driver training. Young drivers must complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice with a licensed driver (a parent, guardian, professional instructor, certified teacher or other similar person).

You must spend at least 10 of those required hours in moderate or heavy traffic and 15 of them must be conducted at dusk or night. Make sure to track your hours carefully!

After completing supervised driving training, you must complete a road test to evaluate your operational skills.

As a caveat, this advice applies to a regular Class D license for a car or truck. A Class M, or motorcycle, license has different rules. Check the NYS DMV site for special instructions if you want to explore the road on two wheels.

What Is the 5-Hour Online Pre-Licensing Course?

All first-time applicants in the Empire state must complete a five-hour pre-licensing program before taking the road test. That applies to aspiring teenagers and mature motorists alike.

New York Safety Council's Online 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course is a five-hour program that teaches you everything you need to be safe on the road. Through this course, you'll learn defensive driving skills, the rules of the road, New York traffic safety laws and other important information you need when you're behind the wheel.

This program is 100% online, meaning you can log in and study from any mobile device. It's approved by NYS DMV. Completing this course qualifies you to take the road test immediately.

Who Can Take an Online Pre-Licensing Course?

If you live in New York and are at least 18 years old, you can take the mandatory five-hour pre-licensing course online. If you are under 18, you must complete the course in person or wait until 18 to take the digital course.

For busy teens and adults, completing this driver's education online allows you to juggle a busy schedule and still find time to learn how to operate a motor vehicle. It’s the most convenient way to prepare for your road test.

Why Choose New York Safety Council?

New York Safety Council is an NYS DMV-approved provider of online driver safety courses for residents of the Empire State. We offer high-quality online driver education programs for new and experienced motorists, including:

New York Online Defensive Driving Course (IPIRP): This 5.5-hour course is available 100% online and is approved by the New York State DMV. During this class, you will learn driving strategies that will help you spot dangerous situations and avoid collisions. Reduce up to four points from your driving record under the Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) and qualify for a mandatory 10% discount on your insurance premiums upon completion.
New York 5-Hour Online Pre-Licensing Course: This is an online option to meet the pre-licensing requirement for your road test. There is no final exam, and you can take it completely online. This course is available for new applicants who are 18 and older.
Basic Vehicle Maintenance Course: In just an hour, you can learn more about taking care of your vehicle through interactive, informative 3D learning activities. You’ll learn basic skills like jump-starting a battery, changing a tire and refilling crucial fluids.

Get started today! You can access all our courses online from your desktop, tablet or mobile device.