How to Pass the New York Driving Test (Easily) 2022 (2023)

I've been driving for over 16 years and when it came time to take another driving test I was (to be safe) scared. I've outlined all the steps needed to pass the test and what to look for at each site. With this you are sure to pass!

I did my test andI went through the whole process to get permission from my students, but remember that I'm not really a professional driver or instructor, nor affiliated with the courses I mention below. Everyone's experience may be a little different!

It is also important to note that even if you have a valid foreign driver's licensecan't just keep going, after becoming a resident of the state in which you live. Confused?I wrote all about it here, don't worry.

Things you need before the driving test

Well, first you have to take the complete New York Written Test. I wrote this whole processhere with some tips and tricks to pass the writing test on the tee!

Second, you needAttend 5 hours of driver training, and yes, that's not 5 hours of fun. You need this certificate in addition to your learning permit in order to take the driving test.

Once you hold down those two things, you can move on to the next step!

planning before the exam

Most importantly, I would recommend taking the planning phase of acquiring your license a little seriously.

In short, the test isn't difficult, but it's also relatively easy to fail if you don't give it the attention it deserves. Driving is both a privilege and a dangerous one. So make sure you have time to improve your skills before taking the test.

If possible, try to record some driving times so that you become comfortable driving on the right side of the road, understand what the signs look like, how the traffic flows and you feel comfortable and familiar. Many people rent cars or buy a ZipCar to do this. Just make sure that you drive legally with your new learner driver's license and preferably with an approved driver in the car.to cover all your bases.

I would also recommend you to take a class before the exam. Well, before you say, "But I've been driving for years, why would I take a course?" I want you to know that I thought the same thing. Here's my answer: When I took the course, I didn't learn to drive, I learned how to pass the test. They are two very different things.

Driving experience generally makes you a better driver, but in this scenario you're being tested against a specific checklist, and many of the checklist items relate not to how "good" you are as a driver, but to how openly you care (read more ). this below).

My personal recommendation and with which I have had great experiences,DriveRite🇧🇷 They explain it better on their website about foreign drivers (like me):

Foreign drivers who have been driving in other countries for many years can rest assured that they are ready to pass the New York road test. However, when applying for a license, they find that they have to go through the entire process, which can be frustrating. Trust us, going through the process isn't a bad thing. Drivers accumulate bad habits over the years and may not realize that they can fail the test with maneuvers they see fit. Don't risk failing the traffic exam and taking it more than once. We offer packages for foreign drivers. By combining your experience and our knowledge, we help you pass the exam on the first try.

I signed up for the 5 hour course, a lesson, a test and a car all as part of theThe Brush Up, Rush, and Super Rush plans are available on their website.

What you should consider during the test

Here is my top list of things to remember for passing the exam that I had somewhat forgotten in my years as a driver. Of course, some of them may seem obvious, but you should really make an effort to remember them all.

First here is what you will be tested and then I will describe below!

You can lose up to 29 points, with 30 points failing the test.

Broken down, you can see exactly how many points you can lose per violation.

1. Leaving the curb– This happens at least twice (once when starting and once when exiting after parallel parking):
   1. Disregard - 10 points– Do not get off in front of the traffic!
   2. Signal failure - 5 points– If possible, leave the display on for a few seconds to ensure the instructor sees it
   3. Only uses the mirror/does not check the blind spot - 5 points– Make a great effort to look over your shoulder and make it very obvious that you are looking. This also applies to the entire test, just keep looking around and make it clear that you are checking everything.
2. curves and intersections- There will be many of them
   1. Poor judgment when approaching or at intersections? - 10 points each
      1. speed- Drive slowly when turning
      2. Turn- Make sure you turn in your lane
      3. stop– Stop well behind the line at an intersection
      4. watch– Watch out for pedestrians, do not pick up in traffic
      5. Signal– Use this indicator!
   2. Not stopping near the middle of the intersection when waiting to turn left - 10 points– When turning left, you need to roll in the middle of the intersection, don't stop and wait for the entrance! Also, don't roll into oncoming traffic before you're free to, and aim for the center, don't overdo it!
   3. Wide turn - short right turn - 5 points– Refers to making a right turn when you want to make sure you are turning in the next possible lane and not crossing the lines on the next lane. This applies regardless of whether the next lane has oncoming traffic or traffic in the same direction, you must stay in the oncoming lane. If there is an obstacle (e.g. a truck in the way), you must turn into the next lane, indicate the lane change (observe all lane change rules) and then change lanes around the obstacle. You can't just swing away like you probably would with experience.
   4. Make a big turn - short left - 5 points– The same, but when turning into a one-way street with possibly several lanes, do not skid!
   5. Traffic inattention - 10 points each– These too seem obvious, but can happen quickly if you don't openly show how observant you are.
      1. signals– Do not ignore these signs
      2. signals– traffic lights, other cars, attention!
      3. lane markings– Don’t walk down the street, be careful where you stop at traffic lights and know when you can and can’t change lanes (solid vs. dashed line)
3. Parking, backwards and back– That's what moves a lot of people
   1. Signal failure - 5 points- Just make sure you do this on time and let it count to at least 3 before starting anything else
   2. Doesn't observe/care properly - 10 points– At the start of the process, make sure you have your head turned and are looking backwards before stepping back. If there is traffic or people, don't go!
   3. Can't park properly – 15 points– Jeez, that's big, I suppose that means you really can't do it.
      For those who are a little afraid of the reverse parallel, here's my big tip for passing the parallel parking exam:
      1. Pull your car over to the one parked in front of your lot and line up the front mirrors about two feet apart.
      2. Spin the wheel 2 full revolutions to the right, then roll back. You want to put your car at a 45 degree angle to your shoulder and you'll know you've made it because you can see in the right side mirror that the door handle is against the curb. (and my professor explained that you will see a slice of street pizza - that makes more sense once you see it).
      3. When you hit 45, stop.
      4. Now turn the wheel back to the straight position (2 left). Now you want to roll back enough for the front of your car to pass the rear of the car next to you. This is really the only part that requires some instinct from you, but it's not too far off. So stop it
      5. Now turn the wheel one turn to the left and roll backwards, this will slowly align your car with the curb. If you think you're right, stop.
      6. Turn the wheel straight again (one to the right) and then roll forward a little.
      7. you have to be perfect
   4. No 3-point round possible - 15 points- Another big one. The three-point spin should be really easy, but a few things to keep in mind: Don't do a U-turn even if you can, that fails with the three-point spin. Before you retire, be sure to look over your shoulder and check. And take each step slowly and carefully.
   5. Too much parking/far from the curb - 5 points - Okay here is the most important tip to pass this test and I will repeat it below, parking too far is much better than hitting the curb. Hitting the curb is an instant failure. Even slowly and even just looking slightly while getting the perfect beautiful nearby park. Do not do it. Sacrifice those 5 points and park away from the curb. you will pass
   6. Excessive maneuvers around - 5 points each -
      1. 3-point tack – This basically just means your 3-point tack has become a 4-point tack
      2. Parking - So you had to readjust something after reversing the parallelism? No great sacrifice if you have to do this! Just don't hit the curb!
4. drive in traffic– This is the biggest part of the test!
   1. Not holding right - 10 points– In the USA, people drive on the right, so don’t turn in the left lane. You need to be sure of this even on laneless streets, and on a one-way street you should try to aim toward the center and maybe SLIGHTLY right, but not quite.
   2. Wrong track - 10 points– Get back on the right track!
   3. Follows very closely - 10 points– The tip here: make sure that you can always see the wheels of the vehicle in front, even when stationary. Never get any closer than that, and realistically give yourself plenty of room to test, it's only a 10 minute drive than Nanna.
   4. Excessive speed for conditions - 15 points each- My driving instructor told me to stay at around 20-25 mph throughout the exam. You shouldn't be asked to go anywhere faster than that, and you want to be well under the speed limit, not exactly.
      1. Traffic- Too much traffic? Slower.
      2. Tempo- Long time? Slower.
      3. Estrada– Does the road have potholes? Slower.
   5. Very slow/obstructing traffic flow – 15 points– As above, this is not about safe driving just below the speed limit, but about 5 km/h in traffic. Don't worry too much about this one.
   6. Gives no right of way for every -15 points
      1. pedestrian- Don't hit pedestrians, that should be a piece of cake. You ALWAYS have the right of way. So if they do date, even if the rules say they shouldn't, give them plenty of space and time.
      2. Miscellaneous– At a 4-way stop, you must start in the order you arrived and, if two arrive at the same time, dodge to the right. If you drive straight ahead, you usually have priority over turning cars. If you are in a sign of giving in, give in. If you're at a stop sign and the other lanes don't have stop signs, give in.
   7. Poor judgment in traffic - 10 points– It's just a matter of making sure you look around and are aware of how traffic is behaving. If you drive safely, that's fine.
   8. When changing lanes, fail at -10 points each time–
      1. Looks- Head. Around. Turn.
      2. Signal- Do this first and do this at least a few times before doing anything else.
      3. Watch after- Don't swerve into other cars and you should be fine!
   9. Failure to anticipate actions of -10 points each- Looks like you'll have to embrace your inner Yoda for this one!
      1. pedestrian- Honestly, if you see pedestrians, just give them plenty of space and plenty of time to fully avoid you.
      2. Others– People are crazy, assume they will do something crazy, let them do it and leave a lot of space.
   10. Unable to anticipate potential hazards - 10 points- Again, this sounds a bit Jedi, but basically if you're looking ahead, feel free to talk to the person who's testing you. Don't ask for help, just explain what you're doing! for example. "I can see there's a truck ahead of me, so I'll slow down and avoid it if it's safe." During the test, you won't do much on your own discretion as you'll be told, "Turn left, turn right, straight ahead, park here", so there's no harm in explaining why you're breaking this!
5. vehicle control
   1. Repeat stop - 10 points– If you've stopped your automatic car, maybe you shouldn't drive.
   2. Poor engine control/acceleration - 10 points– The advantage of using a company like DriveRite (above) is that you can try their cars in the field before testing. This means you can feel the pedals and the car's response. I think you would have to keep moving to lose those points, so don't worry.
   3. Poor steering control - 15 points each–
      1. Turn- Make precise turns and use your hands to rotate.
      2. go straight- Drive. In a straight line. For 10 and 2, keep both hands on the wheel at all times. It's easy to forget when you've been driving for a while!
      3. maneuver- Make them clear again, defined and without wobbly parts.
   4. Delayed Braking/Hard Braking - 10 points– Brake as slowly and evenly as possible. When approaching an intersection, slow down and brake slowly, do not give your instructor an opportunity to use the brakes as this will fail immediately.
   5. Poor use of gears - 10 points- If you fail automatically, well I don't know what you do.
   6. Poor clutch control - 5 points- Stop grabbing the clutch again, it's a car
   7. Poor response to emergencies - 10 points- You'll have to be really unlucky to get this one, but make sure to look out for emergency vehicles and stop safely if you can dodge it. Don't block them or you will fail immediately.

The first thing to think about when taking your NY driving test (especially if you are an experienced driver)

You will fail the test immediately if you hit the curb while parallel parking backwards.

Don't hit the curb.

Lose 5 or 10 points by moving much farther from the curb.

This will (easily) pass the test, and while it feels weird being 2ft from the curb, you'll be glad you don't have to take the test again.