Passed the Test | Failed the Test

IMPORTANT - For commercial driver license (CDL) road tests conducted on or after
September 1, 2006:
  • On and after September 1, 2006, the NYSDMV cannot issue a 10-day temporary CDL when you pass a CDL skills (road) test.
  • Federal regulations require the NYSDMV to check both the National Driver Register and the Commercial Driver License Information System before the NYSDMV can issue a CDL.
  • If you pass a CDL skills test on or after September 1, 2006, you must wait at least seven days after the skills test, then go to a DMV office to amend your driver license to a CDL.  Until your CDL is issued, you continue to hold only a CDL permit, and must comply with all restrictions and limitations of the permit.

I Passed My Road Test

The license examiner gives you an interim driver license that is valid for 90 days (10 days for commercial learner permits (CDL) and non-commercial Class C learner permits). Keep the interim driver license with your learner permit as proof that you have a driver license. Follow the instructions below to get your photo driver license.

To Get Your Photo Driver License:

If you received a learner permit that was valid for more than one year when it was issued, the DMV will send your photo driver license in the mail. Your photo driver license is mailed to you in approximately two weeks. Do not go to a DMV office. The DMV office cannot give you a photo driver license.

If you received a learner permit that was valid for one year when it was issued, you must apply for your photo driver license at a DMV office. Wait at least five days after the date of your road test to apply at a DMV office. Bring your interim driver license and proof of identity to the DMV office, pay the driver license fees, and have your photo taken. The DMV office issues a new interim driver license without a photo that is valid for 90 days. Your photo driver license is mailed to you in approximately two weeks.

Probationary Period for New Drivers

Each new driver has a six-month probationary period that begins on the date of the successful road test. You do not receive a probationary period if you held a valid NYS driver license and passed the road test to add or change your license class.

The DMV will suspend your driver license if you commit specific violations during your probationary period. For more information about the probationary period, read the DMV brochure, "Suppose Your License Were Taken Away".

I Failed My Road Test

Your first application for a Class D, Class DJ, Class E, Class M or Class MJ learner permit allows you to take a maximum of two road tests. If you fail your first road test, you can schedule your second test.  You must wait until the day after your first road test to schedule your second road test. Your learner permit is valid until the expiration date printed on the document. If your learner permit expires before your next road test, you must get a new learner permit. Learn how to renew your photo document.

If this is the second road test that you failed, go to a DMV office and pay a fee of $10 and take two more road tests.  You can continue to pay a fee of $10 and take two more road tests until you pass a road test.  If you pay the fee of $10 and pass the first road test, you do not receive a refund of $5.

If you have a commercial learner permit (CDL) or a non-commercial Class C learner permit and you failed a road test, you must go to a DMV office and pay a fee of $40 before you can schedule another road test. Your learner permit is valid until the expiration date printed on the document. If your learner permit expires before your next road test, you must get a new learner permit. Learn how to renew your photo document.