20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How many 'passing a stopped school bus' violations within three years trigger a license suspension?
Answer: Three violations. The handbook specifies that exactly three violations of this type within a three-year period are required to trigger the suspension action.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Three “passing a stopped school bus” violations within three years.”
2. What shape are the orange 'work zone' warning signs typically placed before road construction projects?
Answer: Diamond. The handbook specifies that work zone warning signs are orange and diamond-shaped.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 49: “Orange signs in the shape of diamonds -“work zone” warning signs – are often placed before road construction projects and other work areas that can change traffic flow.”
3. What should occupants do if downed electrical wires touch their vehicle?
Answer: Remain inside the vehicle until help arrives. The handbook instructs occupants to stay inside the vehicle when wires are touching it, rather than exiting.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “If wires touch the vehicle or lay near it, warn the occupants to remain inside until help arrives.”
4. Under what condition may you pass other vehicles or change lanes when facing a single solid line?
Answer: When obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary. The handbook restricts crossing a single solid line to situations where obstructions or traffic conditions necessitate the maneuver.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 32: “One solid line: You can pass other vehicles or change lanes, but you can only do so when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.”
5. How many points on a driver license does a driver receive for each violation of failing to ensure a passenger under sixteen is properly restrained?
Answer: Three points. The handbook specifies that the penalty for this specific violation includes receiving three points on the driver license.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 48: “The driver can face a fine of $25 to $100 and receive three points on their driver license for each violation.”
6. What is the minimum distance other drivers must be able to see your vehicle from when making a U-turn?
Answer: 500 feet (150 m) away in either direction. The handbook specifies that visibility from 500 feet in both directions is required to safely execute a U-turn, ensuring other drivers have adequate time to react.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 37: “You cannot make a U-turn near the top of a hill, a curve or any other location where other drivers cannot see your vehicle from 500 feet (150 m) away in either direction.”
7. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure if your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is approaching?
Answer: Release your seat belt, leave the vehicle, and run toward the direction the train is coming from. The handbook instructs drivers to exit the vehicle and run toward the oncoming train to avoid debris, rather than staying inside or pushing the car.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 66: “If a train approaches, release your seat belt, leave the vehicle and get as far away as you can from the tracks. Run toward the general direction the train is coming from.”
8. What should you do if your headlights suddenly go out while driving?
Answer: Try your emergency lights, parking lights, and directional signals. The handbook specifies using emergency lights, parking lights, and directional signals to provide enough illumination to safely leave the roadway.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 65: “If your headlights suddenly go out, try your emergency lights, parking lights and directional signals.”
9. What action is recommended if another driver is tailgating you?
Answer: Move to another lane if possible or reduce speed and pull off the road to let the driver go by. The handbook advises moving lanes or pulling off the road to allow the tailgating driver to pass, rather than braking suddenly or maintaining status quo.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 47: “If a driver follows you too closely (tailgates), move to another lane if possible or reduce speed and pull off the road to let the driver go by.”
10. What is the correct procedure regarding the vehicle's position after a crash if possible?
Answer: Move your vehicle off the road. The handbook advises moving the vehicle off the road when feasible to protect oneself and others from oncoming traffic.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “If possible, move your vehicle off the road.”
11. Which method is identified in the handbook as effective for reducing Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?
Answer: Allowing time to pass without drinking more. The handbook states that time is the only effective method, while coffee, exercise, and showers do not change the BAC level.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 56: “The only method to effectively reduce your BAC is not to drink over a period of time. Coffee, exercise and cold showers cannot reduce your BAC and the effects of alcohol.”
12. Why should you leave extra space when stopping behind a truck or bus on a hill?
Answer: The truck or bus could move backward slightly when it starts. The handbook explains that leaving room allows you to pull away if the vehicle ahead rolls back slightly upon starting.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 75: “The truck or bus could move backward slightly when it starts.”
13. Where should an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat be placed if the vehicle has a passenger air bag?
Answer: In the back seat. The handbook instructs that infants in rear-facing seats must not be placed in the front seat when a passenger air bag is present, implying they belong in the back.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 49: “IMPORTANT: NEVER PUT AN INFANT IN A REAR-FACING CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE THAT HAS A PASSENGER AIR BAG.”
14. Under New York’s “Implied Consent” law, what happens if a driver refuses a chemical test after being arrested for an alcohol-related violation?
Answer: The driver's license will be suspended when arraigned in court. The handbook specifies that refusing the test results in license suspension upon arraignment, regardless of the guilt determination.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 56: “If you refuse to take the test after being arrested, your driver license will be suspended when you are arraigned in court on the alcohol or other drug-related charge.”
15. What is the required maneuver for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crossing a highway?
Answer: Come to a stop, yield to traffic, and cross at a 90-degree angle. The handbook specifies that ATVs must stop, yield, and cross at a right angle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 76: “Before they cross, they must come to a stop and yield to traffic. They must go across at a 90-degree angle to the road surface.”
16. Which of the following is NOT a listed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature in the handbook?
Answer: Automatic windshield wipers. The handbook lists specific ADAS features such as blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking, but does not list automatic windshield wipers as an ADAS feature.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 78: “Safety features include, but are not limited to: blind spot warning, back up camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and active parking assist.”
17. In which direction does traffic move around the central island in a modern roundabout?
Answer: Counterclockwise. The definition provided specifies that traffic circulation in a modern roundabout is counterclockwise.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 50: “The modern roundabout is a type of circular intersection with yield control of entering traffic where traffic moves counterclockwise around a central island.”
18. In which of the following vehicles is seat belt use NOT required for passengers?
Answer: Passengers in buses (except school buses). The handbook lists passengers in buses (excluding school buses) as exempt from seat belt requirements, whereas school buses may require them, and other options do not match the specific exemptions listed.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 48: “Seat belt use is not required in certain emergency vehicles, 1964 or older vehicles, by passengers in buses (except school buses; but seat belt use in a school bus can be required by a school district), rural letter carriers while discharging the duties of such employment, passengers in taxi and livery vehicles under the age of eight (8), and passengers or operators with a physically disabling condition that prevents them from being restrained, provided that such condition is duly certified by a physician.”
19. What is the time frame used to calculate the accumulation of three speeding or misdemeanor traffic violations for suspension purposes?
Answer: Within 18 months based on the date of violation. The rule specifies an 18-month window and clarifies that the count is based on the violation date rather than the conviction date.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Three speeding and/or misdemeanor traffic violations within 18 months (based on date of violation, not date of conviction).”
20. How does the handbook define the term "Revocation" regarding a driver's license?
Answer: Your license is cancelled, requiring you to re-apply to the DMV once the period is over. Revocation is defined as the cancellation of the license requiring a new application, distinct from suspension which is temporary.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 19: ““Revocation” means your license (or privilege to drive) is cancelled. To get a new license, you must re-apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) once the revocation period is over.”