New York Driving School/Drivers Ed

New York driver’s ed classes teach new drivers how to operate a vehicle safely and in accordance with New York traffic laws. In New York, driver’s under 18 must complete a driver’s ed course to be able to take the road test and trade their learner’s permit in for a real license. There are actually two types of New York driver’s ed classes: a pre-licensing class and a driver’s ed class. The pre-licensing class is a 5 hour class that covers important driving rules, traffic laws and defensive driving techniques. Once students complete the pre-licensing course, they receive a certificate of completion that they must take to their road test. Driver’s ed classes are taught in high schools and colleges. They have both a classroom section and a behind-the-wheel section to give students a chance to practice their driving skills. Teens who take driver’s ed classes are able to get an unrestricted “senior” license a full year earlier than teens who take only the 5 hour pre-licensing course.

Drivers Education

Any teen driver who wishes to get a real driver’s license must take either a pre-licensing course or a driver’s ed course in order to be able to take their road test. Teenagers do not have to take driver’s ed to get a learner’s permit. They just have to pass the written test. Adults applying for a new license or transferring a license in from out-of-state do not have to take a New York driver’s ed course. Read more...

Drivers Ed Benefits

Taking a driver’s ed class or a pre-licensing class benefits teens because it introduces them to important, even lifesaving, defensive driving skills. Driver’s ed classes can also give teens a sense of the consequences of their actions, showing them the tragic effects of drinking and driving, speeding, and other dangerous behaviors. Read more...

Drivers Ed Curriculum

The New York pre-licensing course covers important topics that teens need to know before they start driving unaccompanied. For example, pre-licensing courses cover the DMV point system, so that teens will understand the consequences of ignoring traffic laws. Also, pre-licensing courses offer tips and tricks for driving defensively, to minimize the risk of an accident. Read more...

Driving School Locations

Find a driving school in your area. Read more...

Online Drivers Ed

New York State currently does not accept online driving schools to fulfill the 5 hour pre-licensing course requirement. However, there are online courses available to help your teen study for their written test and to help you make the most of your supervised driving time. Read more...

Teen Driving

Teens are required to take a New York driver’s ed class because as a group, they are known to be poor drivers. One reason teens have a poor driving record overall is that they have not had enough time to develop their driving skills. Practice makes perfect-and newly licensed teens are far from practiced! Teenagers are more likely to take risks than older, experienced drivers. Read more...