20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Why should a driver reduce speed when passing a bicyclist?
Answer: Air pressure from the vehicle can send them off balance. The handbook advises reducing speed during passing because vehicle air pressure can destabilize the cyclist.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 70: “When passing, reduce speed. Air pressure from your vehicle can send them off balance.”
2. When is it permissible to pass another vehicle on the right?
Answer: Only when necessary and safe. The handbook establishes that passing on the right is not a general rule but is allowed only under specific conditions where it is both necessary and safe to do so.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 39: “You are permitted to pass on the right only in certain circumstances and it must be done only when necessary and safe.”
3. When is it appropriate to move an injured person at a crash scene according to the provided guidelines?
Answer: Only if necessary because of fire or another life-threatening danger. The handbook advises against moving injured persons unless there is an immediate danger such as fire, prioritizing stability over convenience.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “Do not move an injured person unless it becomes necessary because of fire or another life threatening danger.”
4. According to the handbook, what must a driver do when approaching a crosswalk where there is no traffic control signal?
Answer: Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, particularly if they are in the crosswalk or there is potential danger. The handbook states that drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks even without signals, especially if there is danger.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 68: “When there is no traffic control signal, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, particularly if a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, or there is potential danger to the pedestrian.”
5. What does an edge line that angles towards the center of the road indicate?
Answer: The road is narrower ahead. The handbook states that an angled edge line signals that the road width is decreasing ahead.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 31: “An edge line that angles towards the center of the road shows that the road is narrower ahead.”
6. What is the correct procedure for bicyclists when a bicycle lane is available?
Answer: They must ride in the bicycle lane. The handbook mandates that bicyclists use designated bicycle lanes when they are present.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 69: “Ride in a bicycle lane, if available.”
7. If you are driving on the side of the road with a solid line next to a broken line, when are you permitted to cross the line?
Answer: Only to make a left turn into a driveway. The handbook specifies that drivers on the solid line side may only cross to make a left turn into a driveway.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 32: “If you are on the side with the solid line, you cannot pass other vehicles or go across the line except to make a left turn into a driveway.”
8. How long should a driver wait after waking from sleep before driving?
Answer: At least 15 minutes. The handbook instructs drivers to wait a minimum of 15 minutes after waking up before operating a vehicle to ensure they are fully alert.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 52: “Do not drive for at least 15 minutes after waking from sleep.”
9. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for injury to one person in New York State?
Answer: $25,000. The handbook states that the minimum coverage limit for injury to a single person is $25,000.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 27: “Minimum liability coverage is required of $50,000 against the death of one person and $100,000 against the death of two or more persons, $25,000 against injury to one person and $50,000 against injury to two or more persons and $10,000 against property damage.”
10. When a school bus has its red lights flashing, what action are you required to take?
Answer: Stop for the bus. The handbook states that drivers must stop for school buses when their lights are flashing.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 40: “Remember that vehicles that transport people with disabilities can be equipped as school buses and you must stop for them as you would for other school buses.”
11. If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, what is the first action you should try to increase pressure?
Answer: Pump the pedal. The handbook instructs the driver to pump the pedal as the initial step to regain braking pressure.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 65: “If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pressure.”
12. What should a driver do before backing into or out of a driveway?
Answer: Get out of the vehicle and check behind the vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to physically exit the vehicle to check behind it before reversing into or out of a driveway.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 67: “Before you back into a driveway, or out of it, get out of the vehicle and check behind your vehicle.”
13. What is the required visibility distance for a bicycle's red taillight behind the bicycle?
Answer: At least 300 feet behind. The handbook specifies that the red taillight must be visible from a minimum distance of 300 feet behind the bicycle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 69: “and a red taillight visible from at least 300 feet (90 m) behind.”
14. When approaching an intersection with a stop line, where must you stop?
Answer: Before you reach the stop line. The rule requires drivers to stop before reaching the painted stop line when required by signs or signals.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 32: “When required to stop because of a sign or light, you must stop before you reach the stop line, if there is one, or the crosswalk.”
15. When must you use your headlights according to the law?
Answer: From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet, or when using windshield wipers. The handbook lists specific conditions for headlight usage, including time of day, visibility limits, and wiper usage.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 63: “The law requires you to use your headlights from one-half hour after the sun sets to one-half hour before the sun rises, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet (300 m) and when you use your windshield wipers to clear rain, snow or sleet.”
16. What is the standard color and shape combination for WARNING SIGNS as described in the handbook?
Answer: Yellow and diamond-shaped. The handbook defines warning signs as typically being yellow and diamond-shaped.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 29: “WARNING SIGNS normally are yellow and diamond-shaped, with black letters or symbols.”
17. When parking on a hill, how should you position your wheels to prevent the vehicle from heading into traffic?
Answer: Turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road. The handbook instructs drivers to turn wheels toward the curb when parking on a hill to ensure the vehicle stays out of traffic.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 42: “Turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road, so they will keep your vehicle from heading into traffic.”
18. What is the purpose of the diagonal stripes found next to reserved parking areas?
Answer: To provide access space for those with wheelchairs and vehicles with special equipment. The handbook states that these striped areas are necessary to allow adequate space for wheelchair users and specially equipped vehicles to access their parking spots.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 44: “Do not park in the spaces with diagonal stripes next to reserved parking areas. These spaces are needed to give access to those with wheelchairs and vehicles with special equipment.”
19. If you are turning left into a driveway or parking lot, who must you yield to?
Answer: Traffic headed toward you that is close enough to be a hazard. Drivers must yield to oncoming traffic when turning left into private areas, regardless of signs.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “For any left turn, the law requires you to yield to any traffic headed toward you that is close enough to be a hazard.”
20. When approaching an active grade crossing with flashing lights and lowered gates, when is it permissible to proceed across the tracks?
Answer: Only after the gates are completely raised and the lights are off. The handbook states that drivers must wait until both the gates are fully raised and the lights have stopped flashing before crossing.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 60: “When approaching marked, or active, grade crossings, do not proceed until the gates are completely raised and the lights are off.”