NY DMV Permit Test cheat sheet

A steady red light means stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection; you may turn right after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it, yielding to pedestrians and traffic.

A steady yellow light warns that the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through with caution.

A flashing red light is treated as a stop sign: full stop, yield, then proceed when safe. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.

A green arrow means you may proceed only in the direction of the arrow; a red arrow means stop and do not turn in that direction until the arrow changes.

A steady green light permits through travel and left or right turns, but left turns must yield to oncoming traffic unless a green arrow is shown.

A stop sign requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection; then yield to all traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

A yield sign requires slowing and giving the right-of-way to traffic on the intersecting road; stop only if necessary.

Pavement markings: a solid double yellow line means no passing in either direction; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe; solid white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction.

A school bus flashing red lights and extended stop arm require all traffic in both directions to stop until the lights stop flashing, unless separated by a physical median or barrier.

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way; if two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the one on the right.

A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

When two vehicles face each other and one is turning left while the other goes straight, the left-turning driver must yield.

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop is the first to go; if two stop simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Before turning, signal continuously for at least 100 feet (about 3 seconds) in urban areas; check mirrors and blind spots, then turn into the corresponding lane.

A right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, you may turn left from the left lane and right from the right lane into the nearest lane.

Left turns should begin from the leftmost lane or a designated turn lane and end in the corresponding lane of the new road, not a distant lane.

Before making a U-turn, confirm it is legal (not prohibited by sign), check for oncoming traffic, and ensure sufficient clearance; U-turns are generally illegal on curves, hills, and where visibility is limited.

Passing is permitted only when the center line nearest you is broken or when there is a designated passing lane; a solid yellow line on your side prohibits passing.

Do not pass when approaching a hill crest, curve, intersection, railroad crossing, or bridge where visibility is limited.

Before passing, check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and ensure no oncoming traffic and sufficient clear road ahead.

When passing, return to the right lane only after you can see the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror; do not cut in too closely.

Never exceed the speed limit while passing; maintain a safe speed and complete the maneuver promptly.

Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian, or a school bus with flashing red lights.

When being passed, maintain your speed and lane position; do not accelerate.

Passing on the right is generally allowed only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room, or on a multi-lane road; never drive off the paved roadway to pass.

Signal before beginning; pull alongside the vehicle ahead of the space, about 2-3 feet away, with your rear bumper aligned with theirs.

Shift into reverse, check mirrors and blind spot, and back slowly while turning the wheel toward the curb.

When your front door aligns with the rear bumper of the car ahead, straighten the wheels and continue backing.

When your front bumper clears the rear of the car ahead, turn the wheel away from the curb to swing the front in.

Straighten the wheels and pull forward to center within the space, leaving about 6-12 inches from the curb.

New York requires wheels within 12 inches of the curb when parked; on a hill, turn wheels toward the curb (downhill) or away (uphill with curb).

Always check for pedestrians, cyclists, and passing traffic before opening your door; use the Dutch reach (far hand) to reduce door-zone risk.

Set the parking brake, shift into park (or first/reverse for manual), and turn off the engine before exiting.

Use the three-second following rule in good conditions; increase to four or more seconds in rain, darkness, or when following large vehicles.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds; maintain a space cushion on all sides.

Avoid distractions: no texting or handheld phone use; New York law prohibits handheld device use while driving.

Signal your intentions early and make eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians when possible.

Anticipate hazards by identifying escape routes and adjusting speed before a problem develops.

In New York, seat belts are required for all front-seat occupants and all passengers under 16; children under 8 must use an appropriate child restraint.

Drive at a speed reasonable for conditions, not merely the posted limit; slow down in construction zones and school zones.

If you feel drowsy, pull over safely to rest; drowsy driving impairs reaction time similarly to alcohol.

In New York, the legal limit for driving is a BAC of 0.08% for drivers 21 and older; 0.04% for commercial drivers; 0.02% for drivers under 21 (zero tolerance).

A DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) applies at BAC 0.05% to 0.07% and can result in license suspension and fines.

Refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic license suspension under implied consent laws, even without a conviction.

Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs judgment and coordination, and reduces peripheral vision; effects begin with the first drink.

Only time lowers BAC; coffee, cold showers, and food do not speed alcohol elimination.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antihistamines and sleep aids, can impair driving and may lead to DUI charges.

Marijuana and other drugs impair driving; New York law prohibits driving while impaired by any drug.

Penalties for DWI escalate with prior convictions and higher BAC, including fines, license revocation, and jail time.

In rain, slow down, increase following distance, and turn on headlights when wipers are on; avoid cruise control on wet roads.

Hydroplaning occurs at speeds above about 35 mph on wet roads; ease off the accelerator and steer straight without braking hard.

In fog, use low-beam headlights (not high beams), reduce speed, and increase following distance.

On ice and snow, accelerate and brake gently, steer smoothly, and increase following distance to 8-10 seconds.

If you skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid hard braking.

In strong wind, keep both hands on the wheel and be alert for gusts when passing large vehicles or bridges.

At night, use high beams when no oncoming traffic is within 500 feet; dim them for oncoming vehicles and when following within 200 feet.

In work zones, obey reduced speed limits and flaggers; fines are doubled for speeding in work zones in New York.

Pass motorcycles with at least a full lane width and never share a lane with them; motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.

When passing a bicycle, give at least 3 feet of clearance in New York; if not possible, wait until safe.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way; New York requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Yield to school buses with flashing red lights and to emergency vehicles with sirens and lights; pull to the right and stop.

Large trucks have large blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides; avoid lingering alongside and never cut in front.

At railroad crossings, stop if lights flash or gates lower; never stop on the tracks; look both ways before crossing.

Give bicyclists and motorcyclists extra space in rain and at night when visibility is reduced.

When sharing with horse-drawn vehicles or pedestrians on rural roads, slow down and pass with ample clearance.