How Many Questions Are on the New York Motorcycle Test?
The New York State DMV motorcycle written knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you need to answer at least 14 of them correctly (70%) to pass. Four of those 20 questions are specifically about road signs, and you also need at least 2 of those 4 correct as a separate requirement, the same structure used on New York's regular permit test.
The official test format
The NY DMV draws its motorcycle test questions from the New York State Motorcycle Operator's Manual, covering protective gear, vehicle control, and sharing the road with cars, alongside general road signs.
As with the regular permit test, New York's road-sign sub-requirement applies here too: even if you pass 70% overall, you must also get at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions right.
Because DMV procedures and test formats can change, always confirm the current format on the official NY DMV website before your appointment.
How the questions are distributed by topic
Beyond the road-sign questions, the official test draws from the full range of topics in the motorcycle manual, covering everything from protective gear to braking technique to sharing the road with cars.
Our free New York motorcycle practice tests cover 14 topic areas, including cornering, braking, group riding, and mechanical inspection, so you can see which areas need more review before test day.
How our practice tests are structured
Rather than mirroring the exact 20-question format, dmvwrittenexam.com splits its 100+ original New York motorcycle questions into full-length practice tests, so you get more total repetitions across more topics than a single official-length test would allow.
Each question includes an explanation and a source reference, so you learn the reasoning behind the correct answer rather than just memorizing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the road-sign sub-rule apply to the motorcycle test too?
Yes. Just like New York's regular permit test, you need at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct, in addition to the overall 70% passing score.
Is the New York motorcycle test the same length as the regular permit test?
Yes — both use the 20-question, 70%-passing format with the same road-sign sub-requirement, though the topic content is different.
What happens if I don't pass the motorcycle written test?
Retake policies, including any waiting period, are set by the NY DMV and can vary. Check with your local DMV office for current retake rules.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free New York motorcycle practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-14