New York DMV Permit/Cheat sheet
New York DMV cheat sheet: every number on the permit test
20 questions; 14 correct to pass, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. The online permit test needs 80% overall and 50% of the sign questions.
Speed limits
- 55 mph
- Maximum where no limit is postedChapter 8 — Speed
- 25 mph
- New York City, unless another limit is postedChapter 8 — Speed
- 25 mph
- Lowest work-zone limit that can be postedChapter 4 — Work Area Signs
- 65 mph
- Some rural expressways where postedChapter 10 — Expressway Driving
Distances
- 100 feet
- Signal before a turn or lane change (and before an expressway exit)Chapter 5 — Turns
- 2 seconds
- Following distance — 3 to 4 in bad weather or behind large trucksChapter 8 — Allow Yourself Space
- 500 / 200 feet
- Low beams within this distance of an oncoming vehicle / a vehicle aheadChapter 10 — Night Driving
- 20 feet
- Stop at least this far from a school bus with flashing red lightsChapter 6 — School Buses
- 15 feet
- Stop at least this far from the tracks when signals flashChapter 10 — Railroad Crossing Signals
- 500 feet
- No U-turn where other drivers can't see you from this far awayChapter 5 — U-Turns
- 200 feet
- Don't pass on the left unless you can return before oncoming traffic is this closeChapter 6 — How to Pass on the Left
- 100 feet
- No passing within this distance of a railroad crossing (two-way road), or a bridge, tunnel or viaduct with a blocked viewChapter 6 — How to Pass on the Left
Parking
- 15 feet
- No parking, stopping or standing near a fire hydrant (unless a licensed driver stays in the car)Chapter 7 — Parking Regulations
- 20 feet
- No parking or standing near a crosswalk at an intersectionChapter 7 — Parking Regulations
- 30 feet
- No parking or standing near a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD signChapter 7 — Parking Regulations
- 50 feet
- No parking near a railroad crossingChapter 7 — Parking Regulations
- 1 foot
- Maximum distance from the curb after parallel parkingChapter 7 — How to Park
Alcohol
- .05 / .08 / .18
- BAC evidence of impairment (DWAI) / intoxication (DWI) / aggravated DWIChapter 9 — Alcohol, Other Drugs and the Law
- .02–.07
- Under 21: six-month suspension under Zero ToleranceChapter 9 — Zero Tolerance
- 1 hour
- Roughly how long the body takes to remove one drinkChapter 9 — Your BAC
Rules people get wrong
- No right turn on red anywhere in New York City unless a sign allows it — and a school bus carrying students may never turn right on red.
- Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights even on the other side of a divided highway, and wait until the bus moves or the driver or an officer waves you on.
- NO STANDING: you may stop only to load or unload passengers. NO STOPPING: only to obey a sign, signal or officer.
- Hand-held phone use: up to $200 and five points for a first offense; junior drivers get a 120-day suspension.
Knowing the numbers is half of it. Can you apply them?
The real test asks these as scenarios. Take the 20 free New York questions — each answer explains the rule and cites the handbook section. If you want the full bank and timed practice tests, it’s a one-time $8.99.