As of October 1, 1997, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles returned to a 20-question exam. To pass, one needs to answer 16 correctly.

The following 101-question sample test contains the type of questions and road signs that could be on the actual exam. Many questions are taken directly from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles' DRIVER'S MANUAL (MV-21). (This free booklet is available at any DMV office and at our New York City office).

All DMV offices offer this test for learner's permit in English; however, the Manhattan DMV offers this test in approximately 18 different languages-including Japanese.

If you are proficient in English, you should study the following test.

If you prefer to take the test in Japanese at the Manhattan DMV Midtown/ Downtown, you should study the Japanese translation of this test.

If you must take the test in English, but you are not comfortable with the language, then we suggest you either download Anzen's "Besatsu" or order Anzen's free "NYS Driver License Package" which contains "Besatsu". This booklet includes both English and Japanese questions placed side-by-side. There is no need for a dictionary.

SIGN	QUESTION	ANS.
	1. You may pass another vehicle on the right if it is waiting to A. turn left B. park at the curb C. turn right D. turn into a driveway on the right	A
	2. In which of the following situations is passing always forbidden A. when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk B. when you are on a one-way street which has two lanes C. when the vehicle ahead is going to park parallel to the curb D. when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn	A
	3. In general, you should pass vehicles going in the same direction as you are going A. only if the other driver signals it is safe B. on the right C. whenever you have the opportunity to do so D. on the left	D
	4. What does it mean when a school bus is stopped and its red lights are flashing? A. you may pass if it is on the other side of a divided highway B. you may pass if no children are on the road C. you may not pass if you are behind it D. you may not pass while the lights flash	D
	5. When you want to overtake and pass another vehicle, you should A. wait for a signal from the other driver B. stay close behind the vehicle so you need less time to pass C. change lanes quickly so the other driver will see you D. signal and pass when safe to do so	D
	6. The driver's left arm and hand are extended upward. This hand signal means that the driver plans to A. turn right B. turn left C. go straight ahead D. come to a stop	A
	7. You are driving in the middle lane on a three-lane expressway, if a car passes you on the right, it is A. wrong because "pass on the left" is a firm rule B. OK if no signs forbid passing on the right C. OK as long as he does it on a limited access highway D. wrong because he's passing you in your "blind spot"	B
	8. The car behind you wants to pass. You should A. maintain your speed so traffic will flow smoothly B. blow your horn to allow him to pass C. pull over to the right and allow him to pass D. slow down slightly and stay in your lane	D
	9. When you want to make a right turn, you should be A. past the center of the intersection when you begin to turn B. close to the right side of the street C. close to the left side of the street D. near the center of the street	B
	10. When is the proper time to signal that you are making a right turn at an intersection A. at least 50 feet before the turn B. as soon as you see cars behind you C. at least 100 feet before the turn D. as soon as you get to the intersection	C
	11. You want to turn left at an intersection. The light is green, oncoming traffic is heavy. You should A. take the right-of-way since you have the green light B. wait at the crosswalk for traffic to clear C. wait in the intersection for the oncoming traffic to clear D. make a left at the next intersection	C
	12. You have the right-of-way when you are A. leaving a parking space B. entering a traffic circle C. backing out of a private driveway D. already in a traffic circle	D
	13. When two vehicles enter an intersection from different streets at the same time, which vehicle must yield the right-of-way A. vehicle on the left B. neither one C. either one D. vehicle on the right	A
	14. A blind person legally has the right-of-way when crossing the street when he is A. led by a seeing-eye dog, or using a white or metallic cane B. wearing dark-colored glasses C. helped by another person D. wearing light-colored clothing	A
	15. You must yield the right-of-way to an approaching vehicle when you are A. going straight ahead B. turning left C. already in an intersection D. already in a traffic circle	B
	16. You are waiting in the intersection to make a left turn. You should A. signal and keep your wheels straight B. drive around the rear of a car if it blocks you C. flash your headlights so the driver will let you get through D. signal and keep your wheels turned to the left	A
	17. You come to an intersection which is blocked by other traffic. You should A. stay out of the intersection until you can pass through B. get as close as possible to the other car C. go slowly until the traffic ahead moves D. sound your horn to make the cars move up	A
	18. What should you do when you are going to enter a street from a driveway A. yield the right-of-way to street traffic and pedestrians B. stop with front of the car on the street to warn other drivers C. drive out fast to keep up with other cars D. blow your horn to warn cars on the street you are entering	A
	19. You are making a left turn from a two-way street into a one-way street. When you have completed the turn, your car should be A. in the lane with the less traffic B. in the center of the street C. in the right lane of the street D. in the left lane of the street	D
	20. You drive along a street and hear a siren. You cannot immediately see the emergency vehicle. You should A. keep driving until you see the vehicle B. slow down but donﾕt stop until you see it C. speed up and turn at the next intersection D. pull over to the curb until you are sure itﾕs not on your street	D
	21. Road sign #1 on the Road Sign Examination Chart means A. there is a car merging from the right B. a winding road ahead C. right lane ends--keep left D. there is a median in the highway ahead	C
	22. Road sign #3 on the Road Sign Examination Chart means A. merging traffic from the right B. one-way traffic C. intersection ahead D. highway curves ahead	A
	23. What does sign #4 on the Road Sign Examination Chart mean A. Slow down and prepare to stop only if cars are approaching you B. Proceed carefully through the intersection, not always stopping C. Stop only for traffic on an intersection road D. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe to do so	D
	24. Road sign #5 on the Road Sign Examination Chart is a warning that you are approaching A. an intersection B. a railroad crossing C. a blasting zone D. a crosswalk	B
	25. Road sign #6 on the Road Sign Examination Chart means A. keep within speed limit B. traffic lights ahead C. drive at your current speed D. must stop ahead	B