New York 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Online

This course is designed for new drivers ages 18 and up who are applying for their first driver license in New York. Our online pre-licensing course allows you to complete your DMV pre-licensing requirement remotely. You must complete this course before you sign up for your road test at the DMV. In addition to taking the course, you can download a study manual from the DMV to fully prepare for your road test.

If you are seeking a junior driver license (Class DJ) or junior motorcycle license (Class MJ), you do not qualify for this course. At this time, the DMV requires those seeking junior licenses to complete the 5-hour course in the classroom.

Our convenient New York 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course is approved by the DMV. We make it easy to check off the pre-licensing course requirement for your Class D or Class M driver license in New York.

Complete the course online at your own pace and fit it into your busy day. With this 100% online option, you can finish the nine course modules in your spare time from any computer or device with internet access.

When you have passed the 5-hour pre-licensing course, we report your completion to the DMV. The course does not provide a certificate, so there is no need to bring one with you when you go to the DMV for your road test.

It's easy to satisfy your New York pre-licensing course requirement with this fully online course. It takes just a few minutes to register, and you can complete the course at your own pace. You only need a computer or device with internet access and your photo learner permit. If you only have a temporary permit, you will need to wait for your photo permit to arrive in the mail before registering.

Throughout the course, you will need to confirm your identity at multiple checkpoints to meet DMV training requirements. We use two techniques for identity validation: security questions and voice biometrics. You can learn more about identity validation requirements on the FAQs page.

The 5-hour course is divided into nine short modules. Throughout the course, you will learn about:

• Driver safety, including seat belt laws, drowsy driving and staying focused on the road
• Developing safe driving habits that last a lifetime
• Communication between drivers
• Rules of the road, including right of way, taking a turn, lane changes and one-way streets
• Traffic signs and signals
• Defensive driving and emergency stopping response
• Driving over wet, snowy and muddy roads
• Cellphone use and laws
• Taking risks, aggressive driving and road rage charges and penalties
• Drunk driving laws, penalties and consequences of driving while impaired
• Sharing the road with school busses, work zones, motorcycles and emergency vehicles

At the end of each module, there is a short quiz. You will need to score at least 70% to pass each quiz, and you have up to three attempts per quiz.

Due to DMV requirements, you will be locked out of the course and required to re-register if you do not pass a quiz after three tries. If you want to better prepare for the quiz sections, the DMV offers a wide range of free resources and practice tests.

While there is a total of approximately 270 minutes of narrated tutorials, you can break up your course time over several days or even weeks. You have up to 30 days to finish the course after you register.

At the end of the last quiz, you are done! Our system emails your New York 5-hour pre-licensing course completion to the DMV. There is no need to print anything or wait for a certificate in the mail.

Your course completion will remain valid for up to one year. You must schedule an appointment for your road test within one year of passing the course. If you miss the deadline, you will be required to re-register for your pre-licensing course and restart from the beginning.

If you have additional questions about the course, see our 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course FAQ page.

New York requires every new driver over the age of 18 to complete the New York 5-Hour Pre-Licensing course before taking the road test for their permanent license.

This course is divided into nine learning modules:

1. Introduction to Safe Driving
2. Driving within the Highway Transportation System
3. Rules of the Road
4. Safe Driving Habits
5. Safe Driving Skills
6. Risks of Alcohol and Other Drugs
7. New York State Laws
8. Feelings, Attitudes and Taking Risks
9. Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

After completing the course, you will be prepared to:

• Identify the responsibilities of a safe driver
• Outline the basic “rules of the road”
• Describe techniques you can use to avoid crashes
• Explain the importance of using occupant protection devices to protect yourself and your passengers from injury
• Recognize the dangers of driving while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
• Summarize relevant sections of current New York State Vehicle & Traffic Laws and highway safety concerns

The objective of the course is to ensure that every driver knows the laws of the road. You will learn what to expect when merging into traffic on the highway and how other drivers are expected to act. You will understand your responsibilities as a driver and have better knowledge of how to avoid accidents.

The DMV's Pre-Licensing Course Student's Manual is an excellent study guide throughout the course, and you can refer back to it after completing your training.

Ultimately, drivers who pass the course keep our roads safer, reducing the chance of accidents and injuries for everyone.