You stop at a steady circular red light in New York City. No sign permits a turn on red. The right turn appears clear. What should you do?
Correct answer: Remain stopped until a signal permits the turn
New York City is an exception to the usual statewide turn-on-red rule. Without a sign allowing it, a clear path and a complete stop do not authorize the turn.
Source: NY DMV Chapter 4 > Traffic Signals > Steady Red, New York City exception; VTL §1111(d)(2) ↗
A broken white line separates two lanes going your direction. You need to move into the neighboring lane. What does the marking permit?
Correct answer: A lane change after signaling and checking that the move is safe
A broken white line allows crossing between same-direction lanes when it can be done safely. It does not give the entering driver priority over traffic already there.
Source: NY DMV Chapter 4 > Pavement Markings > Edge and Lane Lines > One broken line ↗
You and a car on your right reach an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time on crossing roads. Both will go straight. Who should yield?
Correct answer: You should yield to the car on your right
For approximately simultaneous arrival from different roads at an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Source: VTL §1140(b), Vehicle approaching or entering intersection; NY DMV Chapter 5 > Right-of-Way ↗
A volunteer firefighter's personal car approaches displaying its authorized blue light, not emergency-vehicle red lights. Which statement describes how to respond?
Correct answer: Yield as a courtesy when safe; the driver still must obey traffic laws
A volunteer's personal vehicle displaying a blue light does not gain emergency-vehicle traffic privileges from that light. The manual encourages safe courtesy yielding.
Source: NY DMV Chapter 5 > Blue, Green and Amber Lights, volunteer firefighters' personal vehicles and courtesy yielding ↗
A curve would prevent approaching drivers from seeing your car during a U-turn from 500 feet away in either direction. What does New York law require?
Correct answer: Do not make the U-turn at that location
A U-turn is prohibited on a curve or near a hillcrest where approaching drivers cannot see the vehicle within 500 feet from either direction. A quick turn does not cure the visibility problem.
Source: VTL §1161(a), U turns in certain areas prohibited; NY DMV Chapter 5 > U-Turns ↗
On a two-way road, you are 80 feet before a railroad crossing. Passing would require using the opposing lane. There is no special lane allocation. May you begin?
Correct answer: No; you may not drive left of the roadway within that approach distance
The left-of-roadway restriction applies when approaching within 100 feet of a railroad grade crossing and while traversing it. This scenario does not involve a one-way or specially allocated lane.
Source: VTL §1125(a)(2) and (b), Further limitations on driving to left of center; NY DMV Chapter 6 > How to Pass on the Left ↗
The school bus ahead activates its amber warning lights as it approaches a passenger stop. How should you respond?
Correct answer: Reduce speed and prepare to stop
The amber lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop to receive or discharge passengers. Slow down early so you can stop safely when required.
Source: NY DMV Chapter 6 > School Buses, yellow warning lights before a passenger stop ↗
At a curb marked NO STANDING, a passenger is ready to enter your car immediately. No stricter restriction applies. Which action is ordinarily allowed?
Correct answer: Stop briefly to receive the passenger and then leave
A no-standing restriction permits a temporary stop while actually receiving or discharging passengers. It does not create a general waiting or merchandise-loading space.
Source: VTL §1200(b), Basic rules; NY DMV Chapter 7 > Parking Regulations > No Standing ↗
You want to stop your passenger car beside an already parked car to let a friend out. There is no emergency or official direction requiring the stop. Is the brief duration enough to make double parking lawful under the statewide rule?
Correct answer: No; the roadway-side stopping prohibition also covers a brief stop
New York's general rule prohibits stopping, standing or parking on the roadway side of a vehicle at the curb. A quick passenger drop-off is not a general exception to that prohibition.
Source: VTL §1202(a)(1)(a), roadway side of a stopped, standing or parked vehicle; NY DMV Chapter 7 > Parking Regulations > Double parking ↗
On an ordinary New York City street, no different speed limit is posted. Which default limit should you follow?
Correct answer: 25 mph.
NYC's default remains 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Some streets and school areas have lower posted limits.
Source: Street Safety Tips > Drivers > Slow Down: NYC default 25 mph unless otherwise posted; reviewed September 12, 2026. ↗
While your car is moving on a public road, you hold your phone to read a nonemergency text but do not type a reply. Is that allowed?
Correct answer: No. Reading a message while holding the device is prohibited too.
VTL 1225-d covers holding a device to read messages, not only sending them.
Source: VTL 1225-d(1), (2)(b): moving vehicle and definition of using; Chapter 8 > Penalties for Texting, Electronic Device Use. ↗
On a dry road, your brakes repeatedly pull the car to one side. A routine inspection is not due for months. What should you do?
Correct answer: Have the braking problem checked promptly instead of waiting for the inspection.
A change in brake performance needs attention promptly.
Source: Chapter 8 > Vehicle Condition > Brakes: changes in brake performance and repair. ↗
A person who has been drinking has strong coffee before driving. What is the important limitation of that plan?
Correct answer: Coffee does not remove the alcohol from the person's blood.
Coffee is not a way to reduce BAC or establish fitness to drive.
Source: Chapter 9 > Your BAC: coffee and cold showers do not reduce BAC. ↗
The signal beyond a railroad crossing is red and the waiting cars leave too little room for your whole vehicle beyond the tracks. The train signals are inactive. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait before the tracks until there is room to clear the entire crossing.
An inactive train signal does not make it safe to stop on the tracks.
Source: Chapter 10 > Railroad Crossings: entire vehicle must clear all tracks and have room on the far side. ↗
A clear evening has become night. By which time must a passenger car on a New York public highway display the required lights, even if visibility otherwise remains good?
Correct answer: One-half hour after sunset.
The nighttime requirement begins one-half hour after sunset and continues until one-half hour before sunrise; other conditions can require lights earlier.
Source: VTL 375(2)(a): half-hour after sunset through half-hour before sunrise; Chapter 10 > Night Driving. ↗
You need to make an emergency stop in a car equipped with working four-wheel ABS. How should you normally use the brake pedal?
Correct answer: Apply firm, continuous pressure rather than pumping it.
ABS controls wheel locking while you maintain braking pressure; know your vehicle's instructions.
Source: Winter Weather Driving Tips > Changes You May Notice > Safety Technologies; Chapter 10 > How to Drive in Winter. ↗
A motorcycle approaches with its turn signal flashing, but you cannot yet see it slowing or beginning a turn. What should you assume before crossing its path?
Correct answer: The rider might continue straight; wait until the intended movement is clear.
A motorcycle's turn signal may remain on unintentionally.
Source: Chapter 11 > Motorcyclists: turn signals may not cancel automatically. ↗
What change ahead is shown by this lane diagram?
Correct answer: The right lane ends
The right edge bends into the continuing lane. Drivers in the ending lane need to merge safely; the sign does not give them priority.
Source: NY DMV Road Signs You Must Know > Right lane ends ↗
Which side of the divider does this sign direct you to use?
Correct answer: The right side
The curved arrow directs traffic to pass to the right of the island or divider. It is a regulatory instruction, not a warning to turn onto a side street.
Source: NY DMV Road Signs You Must Know > Keep right ↗
Which maneuver does this crossed-out curved arrow prohibit?
Correct answer: A U-turn to reverse direction
This sign specifically prohibits reversing direction by making a U-turn. A different sign is used to prohibit an ordinary left turn.
Source: NY DMV Road Signs You Must Know > No U-turn ↗
