20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, how far ahead must you signal a turn or lane change?
Answer: At least 100 feet ahead. The handbook states the legal requirement for signaling distance is at least 100 feet.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 36: “The law requires you to signal a turn or lane change with your turn lights or hand signals at least 100 feet (30 m) ahead.”
2. What is the correct procedure for a bicyclist when exiting a roundabout?
Answer: Use your right hand signal. The handbook instructs bicyclists to use their right hand signal when exiting the roundabout.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 51: “When you exit the roundabout, use your right hand signal.”
3. How long is a driver under age 21 suspended after a first Zero Tolerance violation?
Answer: Six months. The handbook specifies that the suspension period for a first violation under the zero tolerance law is exactly six months.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 57: “After a finding of violation is determined at a DMV hearing, the driver license will be suspended for six months.”
4. Under what specific condition is a driver permitted to make a left turn at a steady red light?
Answer: When turning from a one-way road into another one-way road after stopping and yielding. Left turns on red are only allowed for one-way to one-way intersections, provided the driver stops and yields first.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 31: “You can make a left turn at a steady red light when you turn from a one-way road into another one-way road after you come to a full stop and yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.”
5. Who may complete the crash report if the driver is injured and unable to do so?
Answer: A passenger or the vehicle owner. The handbook allows a passenger or the vehicle owner to file the report if the driver cannot complete it due to injury.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “If the driver is injured and unable to complete the report, a passenger or the vehicle owner may do so.”
6. What consequence does a driver face if convicted of three violations of passing a stopped school bus within a three-year period?
Answer: Revocation of their driver license for a minimum of six months. The handbook specifies that accumulating three violations in three years results in a license revocation lasting at least six months.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 40: “If you are convicted of three of these violations in three years, your driver license will be revoked for a minimum of six months.”
7. When is it permissible to drive across a solid edge line along the side of the road?
Answer: When told to by a police officer or other authorized official or when allowed by an official sign. The handbook specifies that crossing the edge line is generally illegal unless directed by an official or permitted by a sign.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 31: “It is illegal to drive across the edge line, except when told to by a police officer or other authorized official or when allowed by an official sign.”
8. What is the maximum fine for a first conviction of drinking or possessing an open container of alcohol in a vehicle on a public highway?
Answer: $150. The handbook states that the fine for a first conviction of this infraction is up to $150.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 57: “The penalty for a first conviction is a fine up to $150, a mandatory surcharge, a crime victim assistance fee, and possible imprisonment of 15 days.”
9. 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.”
10. What is the correct procedure when approaching an intersection where traffic is backed up on the other side?
Answer: Wait until traffic ahead clears so you do not block the intersection. The handbook instructs drivers to wait until traffic clears to avoid blocking the intersection.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 35: “You cannot enter an intersection if traffic is backed up on the other side and you cannot get completely through the intersection. Wait until traffic ahead clears, so you do not block the intersection.”
11. 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.”
12. When a bicyclist prepares for a left turn or needs to move left to avoid hazards, are they required to remain near the right curb?
Answer: No, they do not have to remain to the right. The handbook states that cyclists are exempt from staying right when preparing for a left turn or avoiding hazards.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 69: “When they prepare for a left turn or must move left to avoid hazards, cyclists do not have to remain to the right.”
13. 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.”
14. What is the consequence for a junior permit holder convicted of two other violations within the first six months after receiving their license back following suspension?
Answer: Their license is revoked for 60 days. The handbook specifies that a second set of violations within the first six months of reinstatement results in a 60-day revocation.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 19: “Your junior permit, license or privileges will be revoked for 60 days if you are convicted of a serious violation (three points or more), or two other violations within the first six months after you receive your license or privileges back following suspension or revocation.”
15. According to the handbook, what is the correct braking technique for a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS)?
Answer: Keep your foot with even pressure on the brake pedal. The handbook instructs drivers with ABS to maintain even pressure, distinguishing this from the pumping method used for non-ABS vehicles.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 64: “If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), keep your foot with even pressure on the brake pedal.”
16. 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.”
17. If a train is approaching while your vehicle is stalled on the tracks, how should you run to avoid debris?
Answer: Run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. Running at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks helps avoid debris kicked up by the train hitting the stalled vehicle.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 61: “If a train is approaching, run toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle.”
18. What is the primary responsibility of the vehicle operator regarding the vehicle's condition?
Answer: Ensure that the vehicle being driven is safe. The handbook clearly assigns the responsibility of ensuring vehicle safety to the operator.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 53: “It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle being driven is safe.”
19. According to the handbook, why might a tractor-trailer appear to move slower than it actually is when viewed from a distance?
Answer: Because its larger size creates an optical illusion of slower speed. The handbook states that the physical size of the vehicle creates a visual effect where it seems slower than its actual speed.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 75: “Its larger size will often make it appear to move at a slower speed than it really is.”
20. What is the minimum revocation period for a driver convicted of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (AggDWI) with a blood alcohol content of .18?
Answer: One year. The handbook lists a minimum one-year revocation specifically for AggDWI convictions with a .18 BAC.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 20: “Aggravated driving while intoxicated (AggDWI), with .18 of one percent blood alcohol content (.18 BAC): minimum one-year revocation.”