20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What action should a driver take as they approach their exit from a roundabout?
Answer: Turn on your right turn signal. The instructions state that drivers must activate their right turn signal when nearing their exit.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 51: “As you approach your exit, turn on your right turn signal.”
2. Under the Junior Operator restrictions, how many passengers under the age of 21 are permitted in the vehicle if they are not members of your immediate family?
Answer: Only one passenger. The rule limits non-family passengers under age 21 to a maximum of one person.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 15: “You cannot drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family.”
3. Which of the following is listed as a component of aggressive driving?
Answer: Passing stopped school buses. The handbook lists passing stopped school buses as a behavior associated with aggressive driving.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 45: “Aggressive drivers sometimes run stop signs and red lights, pass stopped school buses, fail to keep right, drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs and drive in a reckless manner.”
4. According to the handbook, what is the recommended seating position and hand placement for operating a vehicle?
Answer: Sit in a comfortable but vertical position and keep both hands on the steering wheel. The handbook states that drivers should sit vertically with both hands on the wheel, noting that slouching or using one hand makes control difficult.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 45: “You should sit in a comfortable but vertical position and keep both hands on the steering wheel.”
5. What is the maximum validity period for an inspection certificate issued before moving to New York State?
Answer: It is valid until it expires or one year from issuance, whichever comes first. New residents' prior inspection certificates are valid for up to one year or until their original expiration date, whichever is sooner.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 27: “If a person moves to NYS, an inspection certificate that was issued before is valid until it expires or one year from the date it was issued, whichever occurs first.”
6. When driving at night, what is the approximate distance your headlights cover ahead?
Answer: 350 feet. The handbook states that headlights cover approximately 350 feet ahead, which determines the safe stopping distance.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 62: “Your headlights cover about 350 feet ahead.”
7. What is the mandatory surcharge added to each penalty for parking violations in shopping centers?
Answer: $30. The handbook specifies that a mandatory surcharge of $30 is added to each penalty.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 44: “A mandatory surcharge of $30 will be added to each penalty.”
8. What should you do if your vehicle sinks before you can remove yourself?
Answer: Get into the back seat. The handbook states that moving to the back seat allows an air pocket to form, providing time to escape through a window.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 66: “If the vehicle sinks before you can remove yourself, get into the back seat.”
9. 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.”
10. What is the maximum number of bicyclists allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane?
Answer: Two. The handbook specifies that bicyclists should never travel with more than two side-by-side in a single lane.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 69: “Never travel with more than two side-by-side in a single lane.”
11. When passing on the left on a two-way road, what is the minimum distance an oncoming vehicle must be from you before you can safely return to the right lane?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook specifies a minimum clearance distance of 200 feet for oncoming traffic when returning to the right lane after passing.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 39: “You cannot safely return to the right lane before any oncoming vehicle comes within 200 feet (60 m) of you.”
12. What action must a driver take before opening their door to avoid hitting a bicyclist?
Answer: Look before getting out of the parked vehicle. Drivers are instructed to look before exiting to ensure they do not open the door into the path of an approaching cyclist.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 70: “Look before getting out of your parked vehicle; avoid opening your door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist.”
13. Under what condition may a driver with a Junior Learner Permit have more than one passenger under the age of 21?
Answer: If the passengers are members of the driver's immediate family. The rule allows multiple young passengers only if they are immediate family members or if specific types of supervisors are present.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 13: “You cannot drive with more than one passenger under the age of 21 unless they are members of your immediate family or if your supervising driver is your parent, guardian, person “in loco parentis,” driver education teacher or driving school instructor.”
14. How many points in an 18-month period trigger the requirement to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment?
Answer: Six points. The handbook states that accumulating six points within an 18-month period necessitates paying a $100 annual assessment.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 23: “If you are convicted of one or more traffic violations resulting in six points in any 18-month period, you will be required to pay $100 each year for the next three years.”
15. What is the recommended positioning for your vehicle when driving on a two-way highway and facing an approaching tractor-trailer?
Answer: Move as far to the right as possible. The handbook advises moving right to ensure safety when an oncoming large vehicle approaches.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 75: “When you drive on a two-way highway, it is often better to move as far to the right as possible to make sure your vehicle will not be hit by an approaching tractor-trailer or other large vehicle.”
16. 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.”
17. What is the minimum revocation period for a driver convicted of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI-drug)?
Answer: Six months. The handbook states that a DWAI-drug conviction results in a minimum six-month revocation.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 20: “Driving while ability impaired by drugs (DWAI-drug): minimum six-month revocation”
18. 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.”
19. When approaching a horse being ridden or walked along a road, what is the required action regarding the vehicle's horn?
Answer: Do not sound the horn. The handbook states that sounding the horn when approaching or passing a horse is illegal.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 76: “It is illegal to sound your horn when you approach or pass a horse.”
20. 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”