20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Where are pedestrians required to walk if a sidewalk is available?
Answer: On the sidewalk. The law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks when present; facing traffic is the alternative only when sidewalks are unavailable.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 67: “Use the sidewalk when available or face traffic as they walk, as far from the near traffic lane as possible.”
2. What should a driver do when passing a bicyclist to ensure their safety?
Answer: Reduce speed as you pass them. Slowing down helps prevent air pressure from destabilizing the bicyclist and allows for safer interaction.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 68: “Reduce speed as you pass them.”
3. Under what condition is a vehicle permitted to park in a space reserved for persons with disabilities?
Answer: Only if the vehicle has disability plates and the permit holder is inside the vehicle. The handbook requires both valid disability credentials and the physical presence of the permit holder in the vehicle for legal parking in these spaces.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 44: “You can park in reserved spaces only if you have a permit or vehicle plates for persons with disabilities and only when the person who received the permit or vehicle plates is in the vehicle.”
4. Under the Move Over Law, what additional action is required for drivers on parkways and interstates when encountering a stopped emergency vehicle?
Answer: Move from the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle. On multi-lane controlled access roads, drivers must not only slow down but also move over to the next lane if safe.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 35: “Drivers must reduce speed on all roads when encountering such vehicles, but on parkways, interstates and other controlled access roads with multiple lanes, drivers are further required to move from the lane adjacent to the emergency or hazard vehicle unless traffic or other hazards prevent doing so safely.”
5. If an entrance lane is too short to allow acceleration to expressway speed, what is the safest method to enter?
Answer: Stop and wait for a large space in traffic, then enter and accelerate quickly. The handbook advises stopping to wait for a gap in traffic if the ramp is too short for acceleration, rather than rushing in or backing up.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 62: “If the entrance lane is too short to allow acceleration to expressway speed, the safest method to enter is to stop and wait for a large space in traffic. Then enter the expressway and accelerate quickly.”
6. According to the handbook, what is the minimum distance you should maintain behind a stopped school bus when stopping for its flashing red lights?
Answer: At least 20 feet away. The handbook states that drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from a stopped school bus.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 40: “You should stop at least 20 feet (6 m) away from the bus.”
7. In your final parallel parking position, how far from the curb must your wheels be?
Answer: No more than one foot. The handbook sets a specific maximum distance of one foot between the wheels and the curb for proper parallel parking.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 42: “In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot (30 cm) from the curb.”
8. When parking next to a fire hydrant, what is the minimum distance you must maintain from the hydrant?
Answer: Within 15 feet (5 m). The handbook states that you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 43: “Within 15 feet (5 m) of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.”
9. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action when approaching a slow-moving vehicle displaying a reflective orange triangle?
Answer: Use caution and ensure it is safe before passing. The handbook instructs drivers to use caution and verify safety before passing vehicles with this symbol.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 76: “Use caution when you approach a slow-moving vehicle and make sure it is safe before you pass.”
10. What is the recommended action when your wheels move off the pavement?
Answer: Ease your foot off the gas pedal and brake gently before turning back. Drivers should reduce speed gently by easing off the gas and braking lightly before checking traffic and steering back onto the road.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 65: “Ease your foot off the gas pedal and brake gently. When your vehicle has decreased speed, check for traffic behind you, then turn carefully back onto the pavement.”
11. How should a driver adjust their following distance when driving in bad weather or behind a large truck?
Answer: Increase the count to at least three or four seconds for additional space. The handbook states that the following distance count should be increased to three or four seconds specifically during bad weather or when following large trucks.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 47: “In bad weather and when following large trucks, increase the count to at least three or four seconds for additional space.”
12. When approaching a traffic circle or rotary, who has the right-of-way?
Answer: Drivers already in the circle. The handbook states that entering drivers must yield to those already circulating within the roundabout.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 35: “A driver who approaches a traffic circle or rotary must yield the right-of-way to drivers already in the circle.”
13. What condition must be met before returning to your lane after passing a large vehicle?
Answer: Make sure you can see the whole front of the vehicle. The handbook states that seeing the entire front of the large vehicle is the criterion for safely returning to the lane.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 75: “Make sure you can see the whole front of the vehicle before you return to your lane after you pass.”
14. What is the minimum duration for which a driver license is revoked if found guilty of facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation?
Answer: Six months. The handbook lists facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation as a violation that results in a license revocation of at least six months.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Your driver license will be revoked for at least six months if you are found guilty of: Facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation”
15. How should you handle your headlights when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
Answer: Use low beam when within 500 feet (150 m) of the oncoming vehicle. The handbook specifies that headlights must be dimmed to low beam within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to reduce glare.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 63: “Your headlights must be on low beam when you are within 500 feet (150 m) of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet (60 m) of a vehicle ahead of you, even if the vehicle ahead is in a different lane.”
16. If you hear a siren but cannot determine the exact location of the emergency vehicle, what must you do?
Answer: Safely pull over to the right-side edge of the road and stop. Drivers are required to pull over to the right and stop even if the vehicle's location is not yet visually confirmed.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 35: “If you hear a siren or air-horn close by but do not know exactly where the emergency vehicle is, you must safely pull over to the right-side edge of the road and stop until you are sure it is not headed toward you.”
17. What is the maximum validity period for a first New York driver license?
Answer: 5 years. The handbook states that the initial license issuance period does not exceed 5 years.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 8: “Your first New York driver license will be issued for a period not to exceed 5 years, on your month and day of birth.”
18. When two drivers approach an intersection at right angles and both stop at STOP signs at the same time, who must yield?
Answer: The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. The rule establishes that in this specific simultaneous stop scenario, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “At intersections not controlled by signs or signals, or where two or more drivers stop at STOP signs at the same time and they are at right angles, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right.”
19. What action must a new resident with a valid license from a Canadian province take to obtain a New York driver license?
Answer: Turn in their out-of-state license. Drivers moving from Canada must surrender their existing license to the New York DMV when applying for a new state license.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 18: “If you are a new resident with a valid driver license issued by a U.S. state, territory or possession, or a Canadian province or territory, you must turn in your out-of-state license to get a New York driver license.”
20. Which vehicles are required to stop at all railroad crossings?
Answer: School buses, buses with passengers, and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable cargo. The handbook lists specific vehicle types that must stop: school buses (empty or full), other buses with passengers, and vehicles with explosive or flammable cargo.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 61: “School buses with or without passengers, other buses with passengers on board and vehicles with explosives or flammable cargo must stop at all railroad crossings.”