The permit test in New York costs $10 for the written exam

New York charges a flat $10 fee to take the written permit test at the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is the only fee you pay to sit for the exam itself. You take the test on a computer at a DMV office, and you get your results when ready after you finish.

The $10 covers the test administration only — not your learner permit document, which costs separately. If you fail the test, you pay another $10 to retake it. There is no limit on how many times you can retake the test, but you pay the $10 fee each time.

Key Takeaways

  • The written permit test costs $10 per attempt at any New York DMV office.
  • You must pass a vision screening at the DMV before you can take the written test, and that screening is included in your visit at no extra charge.
  • Your learner permit document itself costs $30 if you pass the test, separate from the $10 test fee.
  • You need to bring a valid form of identification and proof of residency to the DMV when you take the test.
  • The written test has 20 questions and you must answer at least 14 correctly to pass.

What the $10 test fee includes and does not include

The $10 fee covers the computer-based written exam and the when ready scoring. The DMV administers the test on a touchscreen at the testing station, and you know whether you passed before you leave the office. If you pass, you then pay a separate $30 fee for the actual learner permit document — the card you carry.

The vision screening that happens before the written test is included in your DMV visit at no additional cost. The DMV tests your vision as part of the standard intake process. If you fail the vision screening, you cannot take the written test that day, but you do not pay the $10 fee if you have not yet sat for the exam.

Total cost to get your learner permit in New York

If you pass the written test on your first attempt, you will pay $10 for the test plus $30 for the learner permit document, totaling $40. This assumes you already have the required identification and proof of residency — those documents themselves may have costs if you need to obtain them.

If you fail the written test and retake it, you pay another $10 for the second attempt. So a learner permit obtained on the second try costs $50 total ($10 + $10 + $30). Each additional retake adds another $10.

What you need to bring to take the permit test

You must bring a valid form of identification and proof of your New York residency. Valid ID includes a passport, a birth certificate with a photo ID, or a valid out-of-state driver's license. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 30 days, or a government document showing your name and address.

You also need your Social Security number. Bring it written down or memorized — you will enter it during the DMV intake process. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still take the test, but you will need to bring additional documentation that the DMV accepts as proof of identity.

How the written test is scored and what happens if you fail

The permit test has 20 multiple-choice questions about New York traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 14 questions correctly — a score of 70 percent — to pass. The test is given on a computer, and you see your score when ready after you submit your answers.

If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or come back another day. Each retake costs another $10. There is no waiting period between attempts, though the DMV may have a queue, so you might have to wait for an available testing station. You can retake the test as many times as you need until you pass.

Where to take the permit test and how to schedule

You can take the written permit test at any New York DMV office. You do not need to schedule an appointment for the permit test — you can walk in during business hours. However, wait times vary by location and time of day. Visiting early in the morning or on weekdays typically means shorter waits than afternoons or weekends.

You can find your nearest DMV office and current wait times on the New York DMV website. Some offices are busier than others, so if your local office has a long wait, you may choose to visit a different location. All DMV offices charge the same $10 test fee and administer the same exam.

What happens after you pass the permit test

Once you pass the written test, you pay the $30 learner permit fee at the DMV counter. You receive your learner permit document when ready. The permit is valid for 24 months from the date it is issued. During this time, you can practice driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and sitting next to you in the front seat.

Your learner permit allows you to drive on public roads during daylight hours only, unless you are supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21. You cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. These restrictions stay in place until you pass the road test and receive your junior driver's license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the permit test online instead of at the DMV?

No. New York requires you to take the written permit test in person at a DMV office on a computer provided by the DMV. You cannot take it online from home. You must also pass the vision screening at the DMV before you can take the written test.

What if I fail the vision screening?

If you fail the vision screening, you cannot take the written test that day. You do not pay the $10 test fee if you have not yet taken the exam. You can return to the DMV after you have corrected your vision — usually by getting glasses or contacts — and try again. Bring proof that you have addressed the vision issue, such as a prescription or a letter from an eye doctor.

Is the $10 permit test fee the same for everyone?

Yes. The $10 written test fee is the same whether you are 16, 17, or an adult. The fee does not change based on your age or circumstances. You pay $10 each time you take the test, regardless of how many times you retake it.

Do I have to pay the $30 permit fee if I fail the written test?

No. You only pay the $30 learner permit fee after you pass the written test. If you fail, you pay only the $10 test fee for that attempt. You do not pay for the permit document until you have passed the exam.