Getting your learner permit Complete the Application for Driver License (MV-44). Present proof of identity. You must pass a vision test with at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. Study the Driver s Manual regarding motor vehicle regulations. o Practice tests available online In order to pass the written exam, you must answer the following correctly. o 14/20 questions o 2/4 road sign questions Getting your junior license Attend a mandatory pre-licensing course. You will receive a certificate (MV-285) that is valid for one year to book your road test. Parents must complete and sign certification of 20 hours of supervised driving (MV-262). o Book your road test through the DMV or AAA. Arrive on time to the test with a licensed driver over 21 years of age, or a certified driving instructor. When you pass, the examiner will give you a temporary license. Your permanent license will be mailed within a few weeks. Getting your senior license Complete a driver education class. Upon completion, you will be issued an MV-285 (Blue card). Book your road test through the DMV or AAA. Arrive on time to the test with a licensed driver over 21 years of age, or a certified driving instructor. When you pass the examiner will give you a temporary license, your permanent license will be mailed within a few weeks. Automatically eligible at age 18.
Stage 1 Learner Permit 2 Junior License 3 - Senior License Minimum age eligible 16 16 ½ 17 - with Driver Education 18 - without Driver Education Requirements Restrictions Pass written test Pass eye test No unsupervised driving No more than one passenger younger than 21 (other than family members) No cell phone use even hands free Hold a permit for six months Take a 5-hour pre-licensing class Drive 20 hours supervised Pass driving test No unsupervised driving from 9 PM to 5 AM, except for work or credited school course No more than two passengers younger than 21 (other than family members) Hold provisional license for 12 months Take a driver education class Pass driving test None
Common Insurance Questions 1. When should I add my teen onto my policy? Individual insurance companies will have their own guidelines as far as adding on teen drivers. Some want to know when your teen receives a learner permit, and others want to know when the teen is licensed. If you have a teen preparing to get a permit, contact your insurance agent and ask for the company guidelines. AAA Insurance wants to be informed when a teen is permitted. The teen is added onto the policy free of charge for six months, or until they receive their driver s license, whichever comes first. 2. What happens if my child has an accident while learning to drive? Your child should not operate a motor vehicle until they have received their learner permit. Make sure your teen is covered on your policy before letting them drive your car. You do not want your insurance company to deny a claim if they require you to notify them of a new driver. If your child is operating the car of a licensed driver training company (such as AAA), the company s insurance will handle any damages. If there is a ticket issued for any motor vehicle violations, it will go onto the driver s (your child s) motor vehicle report. If your child is operating a parent s vehicle, or a family member s vehicle, the insurance that covers that automobile will handle the claim (i.e. If teen crashes mom s car, mom s insurance policy will cover the accident). 3. Will my insurance costs increase? Insurance costs will vary by company. There are surcharges associated with inexperienced operators for most insurance companies. These surcharges typically apply to drivers with less than three years of driving experience. In most cases, it is cheaper for your teen driver to be added onto your policy instead of getting their own auto insurance policy. Contact your insurance agent prior to your teen receiving their permit so you are not surprised by the increase. Tip: If you teen driver is going to be added onto your policy, have them shop for their own coverage just to give them an example of how much money they would be paying on their own. If your teen is a primary driver on a vehicle, the insurance will be more expensive than if they are just an occasional driver on your vehicle. If your teen purchases and registers a car in his/her own name, they will need to purchase insurance in his/her own name as well. The costs will be more expensive if the teen has little driving experience and under one year of prior insurance, or one year of being listed as an operator on a policy.
4. How can I make my insurance increase more manageable? Discounts are available with most insurance companies to help reduce the cost of adding a new teen driver onto your insurance policy. AAA offers the following discounts for younger drivers: Good student discount 3.0 GPA or above Defensive Driving Course Requires completion of the NYS six-hour course Distant Student for college students away at school without their own car
The AAA Driving School Difference AAA Driving Academy School Driver Education Licensed to Learn Program* Classroom 30 hours 24 hours Instruction In Car Instruction 10 hours, 8 of which are 1-on-1 6 hours, no 1-on-1 Scheduling More flexibility in classroom and in car drive times Instructors DMV certified and specially DMV certified trained by AAA Curriculum Classroom and In Car lessons focus on same theme to reinforce specific driving behaviors What s Included Point and Insurance Reduction certificate, 5-hour Pre-licensing certificate Restrictions No blue card No driving after 9 p.m. until 18 years of age Cost Per Hour $11.75 $13 Total Program Cost $470 $390 (avg.) Mostly after school or weekends In Car training does not necessarily reinforce Classroom learning 5-hour Pre-licensing Blue card Drive after 9 p.m. at 17 years of age