Free New York Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official New York driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
Smart Review drills only the questions you get wrong. Full-length mock exams in the real format. Progress saved on every device — and the same account unlocks the mobile app.
Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 5
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 4
- Safe Driving — 2
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Vehicle Equipment — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (5 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. Why should you leave extra following distance behind a motorcycle?
- They can stop more quickly than a car, so you need more reaction room
- They are wider
- They are slower
- They cannot signal
Show answer
Answer: They can stop more quickly than a car, so you need more reaction room
Motorcycles can stop very quickly; increase your following distance so you don't rear-end one.
2. A white rectangular sign reading 'DO NOT PASS' means:
- No passing allowed here
- Pass on the right
- Passing lane ahead
- Pass carefully
Show answer
Answer: No passing allowed here
'Do Not Pass' is a regulatory sign prohibiting passing in that area.
3. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
- The road ends ahead
- Two-way left-turn lane
- Pass freely
- Do not pass from your side
Show answer
Answer: Do not pass from your side
A solid yellow line on your side means no passing from your side.
4. If your brake warning light comes on, you should:
- Pump the gas
- Ignore it
- Drive faster
- Have the brakes checked as soon as possible
Show answer
Answer: Have the brakes checked as soon as possible
A brake warning light means get the brakes checked right away.
5. When stopped behind another car in traffic, you should leave enough space to:
- See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
- Save room for others
- Read its plate
- Touch bumpers
Show answer
Answer: See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
Leave enough gap to see the tires touching the road — room to maneuver if needed.
6. What does this blue sign with a white 'H' indicate?
- A hospital nearby
- A highway exit
- A hotel
- A help phone
Show answer
Answer: A hospital nearby
A blue 'H' sign points to a hospital.
7. Making eye contact with a pedestrian or another driver helps you:
- Speed up
- Intimidate them
- Skip signaling
- Confirm they see you before you proceed
Show answer
Answer: Confirm they see you before you proceed
Eye contact helps confirm others are aware of you before you move.
8. During heavy rain, cruise control should be:
- Set higher
- Ignored
- On, to relax
- Off, so you keep full control if you hydroplane
Show answer
Answer: Off, so you keep full control if you hydroplane
Turn off cruise control in the rain so you can react instantly if you lose traction.
9. Two lanes merge into one ahead. The courteous, safe method is:
- Block the other lane
- Stop and wait
- Alternate (zipper) merge, one car from each lane
- Speed up to cut in
Show answer
Answer: Alternate (zipper) merge, one car from each lane
Zipper merging — taking turns — keeps traffic moving safely.
10. Keeping a space cushion around your car is important because it:
- Is required by law only
- Saves fuel
- Gives you time and room to avoid trouble
- Looks good
Show answer
Answer: Gives you time and room to avoid trouble
Space in front, back, and to the sides gives you options to avoid a crash.
11. At a four-way stop, you should proceed:
- Whenever you want
- After honking
- Only if biggest
- In the order vehicles arrived and stopped
Show answer
Answer: In the order vehicles arrived and stopped
Go in arrival order; if you tie, the driver on the right goes first.
12. Using hazard lights while driving normally in traffic is:
- A turn signal
- Recommended
- Required in rain
- Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Show answer
Answer: Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Hazards are for when you're stopped or disabled, not for normal driving.
13. A muffler is required to:
- Increase speed
- Improve mileage only
- Reduce excessive noise and control exhaust
- Look sporty
Show answer
Answer: Reduce excessive noise and control exhaust
A working muffler is required to prevent excessive noise and control exhaust.
14. What does this sign mean?
- A sharp turn to the right ahead
- No right turn
- A gentle curve
- Right lane ends
Show answer
Answer: A sharp turn to the right ahead
A sharp-turn (right-angle) arrow warns of a sharp turn ahead — slow down considerably.
15. When entering a roundabout, you must:
- Speed up to merge
- Yield to traffic already in the circle
- Stop fully before entering
- Enter to the right, going clockwise
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic already in the circle
Yield to vehicles already circulating, then enter into a gap. Traffic flows counter-clockwise.
16. You are driving and see this red sign facing you. It means:
- Yield
- Continue
- Speed up
- You are going the wrong way — do not proceed; turn around
Show answer
Answer: You are going the wrong way — do not proceed; turn around
A red 'Wrong Way' sign means you're headed against traffic — stop and turn around safely.
17. At which of these locations must you NOT pass?
- On a multilane highway
- At intersections, railroad crossings, and bridges
- On a straight, flat road
- In the left lane
Show answer
Answer: At intersections, railroad crossings, and bridges
Do not pass at or near intersections, railroad crossings, bridges, tunnels, or on hills/curves with limited sight.
18. Driving much slower than surrounding traffic:
- Can be dangerous and may block traffic — keep right
- Is required
- Has no downside
- Is always safest
Show answer
Answer: Can be dangerous and may block traffic — keep right
Driving too slowly impedes traffic and is hazardous; keep to the right if going slower.
19. A school crossing guard steps into the road with a stop paddle. You must:
- Proceed slowly
- Go around
- Stop and remain stopped until the guard clears the crosswalk
- Honk
Show answer
Answer: Stop and remain stopped until the guard clears the crosswalk
Obey the crossing guard — stop and wait until they signal you and clear the crosswalk.
20. Passing a large truck takes longer than passing a car because:
- A truck is much longer, so you're alongside it longer
- It is illegal
- Trucks speed up
- Trucks have no mirrors
Show answer
Answer: A truck is much longer, so you're alongside it longer
A truck's length means you spend more time alongside it — make sure you have plenty of room before passing.