20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. In New York City, when may a holder of a Junior License drive alone?
Answer: Only directly between home and employment, work-study, college courses, evening high school, driver education, or farm employment. Solo driving is restricted to specific direct routes between home and approved educational or employment locations.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 16: “You may drive alone only directly between your home and employment, a work-study program, a course at a college, university, or registered evening high school, a driver education course, or while engaged in farm employment.”
2. What is the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) threshold for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (AGG-DWI)?
Answer: 0.18 and higher. The heading for AGG-DWI defines the BAC level as 0.18 and higher.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 58: “AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED AGG-DWI (0.18 and higher Blood Alcohol Content [BAC])”
3. What is the minimum distance required from a railroad crossing when parking your vehicle?
Answer: 50 feet (15 m). The handbook specifies a 50-foot buffer zone from railroad crossings where parking is prohibited.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 43: “You cannot park your vehicle within 50 feet (15 m) of a railroad crossing.”
4. 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.”
5. What is the proper way to use a vehicle horn according to the handbook?
Answer: To warn other drivers or pedestrians of possible problems. The handbook defines the horn's purpose as warning others of problems, contrasting this with using it to express anger.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 53: “It should be used properly, not to express anger at other drivers or pedestrians.”
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. What is the suspension period for a junior permit holder convicted of a texting or cell phone violation?
Answer: 120 days. The handbook specifies a 120-day suspension specifically for junior permit holders convicted of texting or cell phone violations.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 19: “In addition, your junior permit, license or privileges will be suspended for 120 days when you are convicted of a texting or cell phone violation.”
8. What is the immediate requirement if a person is injured or killed in a traffic crash?
Answer: Notify the police immediately and ensure ambulance or rescue personnel are called. The handbook specifies that when injuries or fatalities occur, the priority is notifying police and securing medical assistance, distinct from the steps for property-only damage.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “If any person is injured or killed, the police must be notified immediately and you should make sure ambulance or rescue personnel have been called.”
9. When should you switch off fog lights?
Answer: When visibility improves. The handbook instructs drivers to turn off fog lights once visibility conditions get better to avoid glare for others.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 63: “When visibility improves, you can switch off your fog lights to reduce the glare that can bother other drivers.”
10. If a driver under age 21 refuses a chemical test for the second time, how long must their license be revoked?
Answer: Until age 21 or one year, whichever is longer. For a second chemical test refusal by a driver under age 21, the revocation lasts until age 21 or one year, whichever period is longer.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Chemical test refusal, drivers under age 21, second time: Minimum revocation until age 21 or one year, whichever is longer”
11. If a driver over the age of 21 refuses a chemical test, what is the minimum length of their license revocation?
Answer: One year. The handbook states that drivers over age 21 face a minimum one-year revocation for refusing a chemical test.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Chemical test refusal, drivers over age 21: minimum one-year revocation”
12. 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.”
13. When approaching an intersection with a green light, what must you do if another vehicle is already in the intersection making a left turn?
Answer: Let the vehicle complete its turn before entering. Even with a green light, you must yield to vehicles already occupying the intersection.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “Another vehicle, is already in the intersection making a left turn. You must let that vehicle complete its turn before you enter the intersection.”
14. If a driver is convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), what is the required annual Driver Responsibility Assessment amount?
Answer: $250 each year for the next three years. The handbook specifies that convictions for DWI and related alcohol/drug offenses require a $250 annual assessment for three years.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 23: “If you are convicted of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Agg-DWI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, DWAI-alcohol combined with drugs, or if you refused to submit to a chemical test, you will be required to pay a driver responsibility assessment of $250 each year for the next three years.”
15. What happens to a driver's license if they are convicted of criminal negligence resulting in death, regardless of where the conviction occurred?
Answer: The driver license or privilege to drive will be revoked. Convictions for criminal negligence resulting in death lead to license revocation, irrespective of the state where the incident occurred.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 20: “The driver license or privilege to drive will be revoked and vehicle registrations may also be revoked. It does not matter if the conviction occurred in this state or another state.”
16. 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.”
17. 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.”
18. What is the minimum revocation period for a driver convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a blood alcohol content of .08?
Answer: Six months. The handbook lists a minimum six-month revocation for a standard DWI conviction with a .08 BAC.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 20: “Driving while intoxicated (DWI), with .08 of one percent blood alcohol content (.08 BAC): minimum six-month revocation”
19. When approaching an unmarked (passive) grade crossing with multiple tracks, what must you verify before crossing?
Answer: That the first train has completely passed and you can clearly see down all sets of tracks in both directions. The handbook requires checking visibility down all tracks in both directions before crossing when multiple tracks are present.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 60: “If there are multiple tracks, wait until you can clearly see down all sets of tracks in both directions for another approaching train before crossing.”
20. 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.”