20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When making a left turn at an intersection, what must you do regarding your vehicle's position and wheels?
Answer: Keep to the right of the center line and keep your wheels straight. The handbook instructs drivers to stay right of the center line and keep wheels straight to avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic during a rear-end collision.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “When you enter the intersection, keep to the right of the center line. Keep your wheels straight to prevent being pushed into oncoming traffic if your vehicle is hit from behind.”
2. Which group of pedestrians is given special right-of-way priority at marked or unmarked crosswalks, even if traffic signals are not in their favor?
Answer: Blind pedestrians with a guide dog or a white or metal cane. The handbook specifies that blind pedestrians using a guide dog or cane have priority over traffic signals and other rules at crosswalks.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 67: “A special right-of-way law allows blind pedestrians to go across the road with a guide dog or a white or metal cane. You must always give them the right-of-way when they are trying to cross at a marked or unmarked crosswalk even if the traffic signals or other right-of-way rules are not in their favor.”
3. If a traffic officer signals you to stop while the traffic light is green, what must you do?
Answer: Stop your vehicle. The handbook specifies that drivers must obey the officer's signal to stop even if the signal light is green.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 33: “If a traffic officer signals you to stop at a green light, for example, you must stop.”
4. Under New York State law, who is responsible for ensuring that passengers under the age of sixteen are properly restrained?
Answer: The driver of the vehicle. The handbook assigns the responsibility of ensuring proper restraint for passengers under sixteen to the driver.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 48: “The driver must make sure that each passenger under the age of sixteen (16) is properly restrained by a seat belt or appropriate child restraint system.”
5. What is the required distance from a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign when parking or standing?
Answer: Within 30 feet (10 m). The handbook lists that parking or standing is not allowed within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 43: “Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.”
6. How should you handle a stuck gas pedal according to the handbook?
Answer: Hook your shoe under the pedal to free it, or shift into neutral and use the brake. The guide advises trying to free the pedal with your shoe or shifting to neutral and braking gently, while warning against turning off the ignition.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 65: “Hook your shoe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road.”
7. When turning left from a one-way road into a two-way road, where should you enter the new road?
Answer: To the right of its center line, but as close as possible to the center line. The handbook specifies entering to the right of the center line but keeping close to it when turning left from a one-way onto a two-way road.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 36: “As you proceed through the intersection, enter the two-way road to the right of its center line, but as close as possible to the center line.”
8. What should a driver do if another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of them?
Answer: Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians. The handbook advises drivers to keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians even if another vehicle is waiting ahead.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 50: “If another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of you, do not stop in the crosswalk. Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians.”
9. Which of the following is a consequence of making a false statement on an application for disability vehicle plates?
Answer: A mandatory license revocation and potential fines or incarceration. The handbook specifies that false statements on these applications lead to mandatory license revocation and potential financial or custodial penalties.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 44: “It is a misdemeanor to make a false statement or give false information on an application for vehicle plates, and you would be subject to a mandatory license revocation and could face a fine, incarceration, or both, plus a mandatory surcharge.”
10. Under New York State's zero tolerance law, what is the minimum Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that constitutes a violation for a driver under age 21?
Answer: .02. The handbook states that the violation threshold for drivers under 21 begins at a measurable BAC of .02.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 57: “Under the state’s “zero tolerance” law, it is a violation for a person under 21 to drive with any BAC that can be measured (.02 to .07).”
11. What action should a driver take when entering a work zone and seeing signs that warn 'lane closed ahead'?
Answer: Merge into the correct lane when it is safe. The handbook advises merging into the correct lane safely upon seeing these signs, rather than speeding to the end of the closed lane.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 49: “As you enter a work zone, flashing signs or signs with arrows or signs that warn “lane closed ahead” mean you should merge your vehicle into the correct lane when it is safe.”
12. When making a right turn, which lane should you enter unless signs direct otherwise?
Answer: The right lane of the road you enter. The handbook instructs drivers to turn into the right lane of the destination road for right turns.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 36: “Unless signs direct you to do otherwise, turn into the right lane of the road you enter.”
13. What is the minimum fine for a first violation of passing a stopped school bus?
Answer: $250. The handbook lists the specific penalty amounts, stating that the first violation carries a penalty of $250.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 40: “First violation - penalty of $250”
14. How far must at least one of the bicycle's lights be visible from each side?
Answer: At least 200 feet away. The handbook mandates that one of the bicycle lights must be visible from a distance of at least 200 feet on each side of the bicycle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 69: “One of these lights must be visible from at least 200 feet (60 m) away on each side.”
15. According to the DMV point system rules, how many points must accumulate within 24 months to trigger a notification that your driver license will be suspended?
Answer: 11 or more points. The handbook states that accumulating 11 or more points within a 24-month period results in a suspension notification.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 22: “If you get 11 or more points within 24 months, you will be notified by mail that your driver license will be suspended.”
16. What is the maximum number of points a driver can reduce from their record by completing a DMV-approved Motor Vehicle Crash Prevention Course?
Answer: Four points. The handbook specifies that taking the approved course allows for a reduction of up to four points on the driver's record.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 22: “You can reduce your point total by up to four points and save up to 10 percent on your auto liability and collision insurance premiums by taking a DMV-approved “Motor Vehicle Crash Prevention Course.””
17. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, what is the correct procedure for the occupants?
Answer: Get everyone out and run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. The handbook instructs occupants to exit the vehicle and run at a 45-degree angle toward the train's approach direction to avoid debris from the collision.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 61: “Run toward the general direction the train is coming from. If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle.”
18. What does a NO STANDING sign permit a driver to do?
Answer: Stop temporarily to load or discharge passengers while the driver remains in the vehicle. The handbook specifies that under a NO STANDING sign, you may only stop to load or discharge passengers, and the driver must remain in the vehicle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 43: “A NO STANDING sign means you can only make a temporary stop to load or discharge passengers. The driver cannot exit the vehicle.”
19. Which of the following is listed as a symptom of fatigue associated with drowsy driving?
Answer: Thoughts wander and are disconnected. The handbook lists wandering and disconnected thoughts as a specific symptom of driver fatigue.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 51: “Your thoughts wander and are disconnected.”
20. When approaching a STOP or YIELD sign on a side road, what is the recommended defensive driving practice?
Answer: Assume the other driver will not stop and anticipate their potential error. Defensive driving requires anticipating that other drivers may fail to yield or stop, so one should prepare for that possibility rather than assuming compliance.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 45: “Do not assume that a driver who approaches a STOP or YIELD sign on a side road is actually going to stop or yield. It is better to assume the other driver will not stop.”