Question 1

Under New York law, what is prohibited regarding handheld cell phone use while driving?

Accepted Answer

Holding a phone to talk, text, or browse while driving is banned — New York bans using a handheld mobile phone for calls, texting, or browsing while driving; a hands-free device may be used instead.

Question 2

Under New York's Zero Tolerance Law, what BAC range triggers a license suspension for a driver under 21?

Accepted Answer

0.02% to 0.07% — New York's Zero Tolerance Law (VTL Section 1192-a) suspends the license of a driver under 21 for six months if their BAC falls between 0.02% and 0.07% — a BAC of 0.08% or higher instead triggers a full adult DWI charge, not just a Zero Tolerance suspension.

Question 3

Since New York expanded its seat belt law in 2020, who must buckle up in the rear seat?

Accepted Answer

All rear-seat passengers age 16 and older — New York now requires all rear-seat passengers age 16 and older to wear a seat belt, in addition to existing front-seat and child-restraint requirements.

Question 4

What must a driver do when meeting a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane undivided road?

Accepted Answer

Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing — Traffic in both directions on an undivided road must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Question 5

What does New York's Move Over Law require when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

Accepted Answer

Move over a lane if possible, or slow down and use caution — New York's Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes away from a stopped emergency, hazard, or maintenance vehicle when safe, or slow down if a lane change isn't possible.

Question 6

In New York, how close to a fire hydrant is parking generally prohibited?

Accepted Answer

Within 15 feet — New York law generally prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant so firefighters have clear access in an emergency.

Question 7

What is the minimum age to apply for a learner permit in New York?

Accepted Answer

16 — New York requires applicants to be at least 16 years old to obtain a learner permit.

Question 8

Even where a speed limit is posted, when must a driver slow down below it?

Accepted Answer

When conditions like weather or traffic make it unsafe — New York's basic speed law requires driving at a speed that's safe for conditions, even if that means going below the posted limit in rain, fog, or heavy traffic.

Question 9

What generally happens to the speed limit near a school during posted active hours?

Accepted Answer

It is reduced, often to around 15-20 mph — School zones typically post a reduced speed limit that applies only during the specific hours shown on the sign.

Question 10

When is turning right on a red light generally allowed?

Accepted Answer

After stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it — Unless a sign specifically prohibits it, drivers may turn right on red after coming to a complete stop and yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

Question 11

When making a left turn onto a multi-lane road, which lane should you enter?

Accepted Answer

The lane nearest the center line — A left turn should end in the lane nearest the center line of the road you're entering, not swing wide into farther lanes.

Question 12

What does a double solid yellow center line mean?

Accepted Answer

Passing is prohibited in both directions — A double solid yellow line means passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions.

Question 13

Before returning to your original lane after passing another vehicle, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Make sure you can see the passed vehicle's front in your rearview mirror — Before merging back, confirm you can see the front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror, showing enough space to move over safely.

Question 14

When must a driver yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk?

Accepted Answer

Any time a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, marked or not — Every intersection has a legal crosswalk whether or not it's painted, and drivers must yield to pedestrians in it.

Question 15

What must a driver do when approaching a pedestrian carrying a white cane or using a guide dog?

Accepted Answer

Always stop and yield the right-of-way — A white cane or guide dog signals a visually impaired pedestrian, and drivers must always stop and yield to them.

Question 16

What should a driver do if a railroad crossing gate is lowered?

Accepted Answer

Wait until the gate rises before crossing — Never drive around a lowered gate, even if no train appears to be coming — wait until it rises.

Question 17

When entering a roundabout, who has the right-of-way?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles already in the roundabout — Traffic already circulating inside a roundabout has the right-of-way; entering vehicles must yield and wait for a safe gap.

Question 18

What typically happens to fines for traffic violations in an active work zone?

Accepted Answer

They are often doubled — Fines for violations in a posted, active work zone are commonly doubled to help protect road workers.

Question 19

When should headlights generally be used besides after dark?

Accepted Answer

Whenever visibility is reduced, such as in rain or fog — Headlights should be on any time visibility is reduced, including daytime rain, fog, or snow, not just after dark.

Question 20

What must a driver carry to legally operate a vehicle in most circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) — Drivers are generally required to carry proof of financial responsibility, usually in the form of liability insurance.

Question 21

What should a driver be ready to show an officer during a routine traffic stop?

Accepted Answer

License, registration, and proof of insurance — Drivers should be prepared to present their license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance at any traffic stop.

Question 22

How does the law generally treat bicycles on public roads?

Accepted Answer

As vehicles with equal rights and duties — Bicycles are generally treated as vehicles, meaning cyclists have the same rights to the road and the same responsibility to follow traffic laws.

Question 23

What does New York law require when passing a bicyclist?

Accepted Answer

A safe distance to the left, with no fixed statewide footage requirement — New York's vehicle and traffic law requires passing a cyclist at a safe distance, but unlike some states it doesn't set one specific statewide number of feet — some localities have separately adopted their own 3-foot passing laws.

Question 24

What's a good rule of thumb about a large truck's blind spots?

Accepted Answer

If you can't see their mirror, they likely can't see you — If a driver can't see a truck's mirrors, the truck driver almost certainly can't see them either.

Question 25

Why should drivers avoid squeezing into the gap next to a turning truck or bus?

Accepted Answer

Large vehicles swing wide before turning and may miss a car there — Trucks and buses frequently swing wide in the opposite direction before a turn, so cutting into the gap on their turning side is dangerous.

Question 26

What should a driver do first after being involved in a crash?

Accepted Answer

Check for injuries and call for help if needed — The first priority after a crash is checking for injuries and calling 911 if anyone needs help.

Question 27

What must drivers do after a crash involving another vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Exchange name, license, and insurance information with each other — Drivers involved in a crash must stop and exchange name, address, license, and insurance information — leaving without doing so is a hit-and-run.

Question 28

When are headlights generally required to be turned on?

Accepted Answer

From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise — Headlights are generally required from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise, in addition to any time visibility is reduced.

Question 29

When is it appropriate to use a vehicle's horn?

Accepted Answer

As a safety warning when necessary to avoid a hazard — A horn should only be used as a safety warning, not to greet someone or express frustration.

Question 30

In the standard hand-signal system, what does a left arm extended straight out mean?

Accepted Answer

Left turn — A straight, horizontal left arm signals a left turn under the uniform hand-signal system, used if turn signals aren't working.

Question 31

In the standard hand-signal system, what does a left arm bent upward at the elbow mean?

Accepted Answer

Right turn — A left arm bent upward at the elbow, hand pointing up, signals a right turn in the uniform hand-signal system.

Question 32

What should a driver be especially alert for when passing through a school zone?

Accepted Answer

Children crossing and crossing guard signals — Drivers should watch closely for children crossing and follow any crossing guard's signals in a school zone.

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