20 questions from the New York Driver's Manual (MV-21). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How long does it typically take for the body to remove the amount of alcohol contained in one standard drink?
Answer: Approximately one hour. The handbook states that it takes the body about one hour to process and remove the alcohol from a single standard drink.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 55: “On average, it takes the body approximately one hour to remove that much alcohol.”
2. If you damage a parked vehicle or injure a domestic animal, what is the required action?
Answer: Try to find the owner or notify the police. The handbook states that in cases involving parked vehicles, non-vehicle property, or domestic animals, the driver must attempt to locate the owner or contact the police.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 77: “If a parked vehicle or property different from a vehicle is damaged or if a domestic animal is injured, you must try to find the owner or notify the police.”
3. If a vehicle is not insured for 90 days and the plates have not been returned, what happens to the driver?
Answer: The driver license will also be suspended. The handbook specifies that after 90 days of being uninsured without returning plates, the driver's license itself is suspended in addition to other penalties.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 27: “If your vehicle is not insured for 90 days, unless you have turned in your vehicle plates, your driver license will also be suspended.”
4. When must a vehicle purchased from a non-dealer be inspected after registration?
Answer: Within 10 days after registration. The handbook specifies a 10-day window for inspection following registration when buying from a private seller.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 27: “If you purchase a vehicle from someone who is not a NYS dealer, you must have the vehicle inspected within 10 days after you register it.”
5. How should you handle your headlights when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
Answer: Use low beam when within 500 feet (150 m) of the oncoming vehicle. The handbook specifies that headlights must be dimmed to low beam within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to reduce glare.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 63: “Your headlights must be on low beam when you are within 500 feet (150 m) of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet (60 m) of a vehicle ahead of you, even if the vehicle ahead is in a different lane.”
6. From which portion of the lane must you make a U-turn?
Answer: From the left portion of the lane nearest to the centerline. The handbook specifies that U-turns must originate from the left side near the centerline, not the right lane.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 37: “You can make a U-turn only from the left portion of the lane nearest to the centerline of the roadway, never from the right lane.”
7. If you hear a siren but cannot determine the exact location of the emergency vehicle, what must you do?
Answer: Safely pull over to the right-side edge of the road and stop. Drivers are required to pull over to the right and stop even if the vehicle's location is not yet visually confirmed.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 35: “If you hear a siren or air-horn close by but do not know exactly where the emergency vehicle is, you must safely pull over to the right-side edge of the road and stop until you are sure it is not headed toward you.”
8. What must a driver do when entering a roadway from a driveway or private road?
Answer: Stop and yield to traffic on the roadway and pedestrians. Drivers entering from non-roadways must stop and yield to both cars and pedestrians on the main road.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “A vehicle that enters a roadway from a driveway, private road or another place that is not a roadway, must stop and yield the right-of-way to traffic on the roadway and to pedestrians.”
9. What specific visual obstruction should a driver be aware of that may create blind spots around the vehicle's glass?
Answer: The A-pillars. The handbook identifies A-pillars as vertical supports that can interfere with visibility and create blind spots.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 68: “Be aware of your vehicle’s a-pillars (vertical supports on the vehicle that are located around all glass) as these may interfere with seeing clearly (they can create blind spots!)”
10. In New York State, what is the penalty for a first offense of using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving?
Answer: A fine up to $200 and five license points. The handbook specifies that a first offense for using a hand-held phone results in a fine up to $200 and the addition of five points to the driver's license.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 52: “For a first offense, you could be required to pay a fine up to $200 and receive five license points.”
11. What is the specific meaning of a flashing yellow lane use control light positioned above the pavement?
Answer: The lane can only be used for a left turn. The handbook defines the flashing yellow X specifically as indicating that the lane is restricted to left turns.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 31: “FLASHING YELLOW “X”: This lane can only be used for a left turn.”
12. What is the first step in performing a three-point turn?
Answer: Signal right, pull over to the right, and stop. The procedure begins by signaling right, pulling to the right side, and stopping before checking traffic.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 38: “Signal with your right turn signal, then pull over to the right and stop.”
13. Which of the following is listed as a method to avoid trouble before becoming impaired?
Answer: Rotate drivers among friends so each takes a turn being the designated driver. The handbook recommends rotating drivers among friends so each takes a turn being the designated driver who does not drink alcohol.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 59: “If you go to events with the same group of friends, rotate drivers. Each friend takes a turn being the “designated driver” who does not drink any alcohol.”
14. If a driver over age 21 refuses a chemical test within five years of a prior refusal revocation or any alcohol or drug-related violation, what is the minimum length of their license revocation?
Answer: Eighteen months. The handbook specifies an 18-month minimum revocation for drivers over 21 who refuse a chemical test if they have a prior relevant violation within the last five years.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 21: “Chemical test refusal, drivers over age 21, within five years of a prior refusal revocation or any alcohol or drug-related violation: minimum 18-month revocation”
15. Which of the following roadways is listed as a place where drivers with learner permits cannot drive?
Answer: The Saw Mill River Parkway. The handbook lists specific parkways in Westchester County, including the Saw Mill River Parkway, where learner permit holders are prohibited from driving.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 13: “On the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.”
16. What is the maximum validity period for a first New York driver license?
Answer: 5 years. The handbook states that the initial license issuance period does not exceed 5 years.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 8: “Your first New York driver license will be issued for a period not to exceed 5 years, on your month and day of birth.”
17. When two drivers approach an intersection at right angles and both stop at STOP signs at the same time, who must yield?
Answer: The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. The rule establishes that in this specific simultaneous stop scenario, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 34: “At intersections not controlled by signs or signals, or where two or more drivers stop at STOP signs at the same time and they are at right angles, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right.”
18. In upstate counties, what alternative to an employment certificate is permitted for a Junior License holder driving alone between home and work?
Answer: A letter from your employer. The handbook allows a letter from the employer as an alternative to the standard certificate for upstate counties.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 16: “In the upstate counties only, instead of an employment certificate, you can carry a letter from your employer.”
19. Where must a horse rider position themselves when riding on a road?
Answer: Single file near the right curb, road edge, right shoulder, lane, or path. The handbook specifies that riders must ride single file near the right curb, edge, shoulder, lane, or path.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 76: “They also must ride single file near the right curb or road edge or on a right shoulder, lane or path that can be used.”
20. What action must a new resident with a valid license from a Canadian province take to obtain a New York driver license?
Answer: Turn in their out-of-state license. Drivers moving from Canada must surrender their existing license to the New York DMV when applying for a new state license.
New York Driver's Manual (MV-21), page 18: “If you are a new resident with a valid driver license issued by a U.S. state, territory or possession, or a Canadian province or territory, you must turn in your out-of-state license to get a New York driver license.”