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To obtain a CDL, you will be required to pass a vehicle inspection test. The vehicle inspection test, formerly known as pre-trip, is a skills test to see if you identify which features and equipment on the test vehicle should be inspected before driving. During the test, you will be asked to do an inspection of your vehicle. You will be expected to show your knowledge of the inspection process and you will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. During the CDL inspection test, DMV does not allow the use of testing aids, other than the vehicle inspection guide in the New York CDL Manual. To prepare for the test, study the following sections of the CDL manual: Driving Safely and the Vehicle Inspection Test. If you do not pass the CDL inspection test, the other skills tests will be postponed.
1. When taking the road test, you will be evaluated on your lane usage. You should NOT:
drive the vehicle over curbs.
finish a right turn in the right-most lane.
complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple lane road.
stop behind crosswalks.
2. Pre-trip inspections:
should not be done when a vehicle inspection report is available.
should always be done in the same order.
should not be done unless the vehicle has problems that could cause a breakdown.
are optional when the driver is familiar with the vehicle.
3. Checking the automatic transmission fluid level may require:
the vehicle to be parked downhill.
the engine to be running.
the 4-way emergency flashers to be activated.
you to pump the brake.
4. Which of the following must be inspected on every tire?
Steering box.
Hub oil/grease seals and axle seals.
Brake chambers.
Battery.
5. During the vehicle inspection, when asked to check the oil level you should:
see that the oil level is within safe operating range.
make sure the engine is off.
indicate where the dipstick is located.
All of the above.
6. When taking the road test, you must do all of the following except:
Tell the examiner where you'd like to drive
Obey all traffic signs
Drive in a safe and responsible manner
Wear your safety belt
7. During the vehicle inspection, you should check your clutch for:
Looseness
Damage
Sticking
All of the above.
8. As part of the external inspection, check that all _______ are present, free of cracks and distortions, and show no signs of looseness.
axle seals
spacers
lug nuts
brake linings
9. Pre-trip inspections are:
recommended.
required only for trips of more than 50 miles.
required only for trips of more than 100 miles.
required by law
10. When checking the condition of wheels and rims during the pre-trip inspection, make sure that:
no studs, spacers, clamps, or lugs are missing, bent, or broken.
no more than two lug nuts are missing.
the end of the kingpin is even with the top of the fifth wheel.
All of the above.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

To get a driver's license in New York, the initial step is obtaining a learner permit. You need to be 16 years or older to qualify for a junior learner permit. Once you've held the permit for six months and successfully passed the road test, you'll receive a junior operator license (class DJ). At the age of 17, you become eligible for a senior driver license (class D) if you already possess a junior driver license or limited junior driver license and have completed a state-approved high school or college driver education course.

You can take the test in three ways:
  1. Identify the New York DMV office closest to you and book an appointment for the written test.
  2. Complete your application online and take the permit test at home. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must supervise your test and provide permission to capture photographs. After the test, your parent/guardian must accompany you to the DMV office and sign the Online Permit Test Parent/Guardian Certification.
  3. If you are a student who is at least 15 years old, you can take the written test through the DMV Online Knowledge Test Application (OKTA) program. After passing the test online, you'll receive a receipt to apply for a learner permit at 16 at any DMV office. Check if your high school participates in this program.

You must bring specific documents based on the type of license you are applying for. The Standard Permit is not sufficient for domestic flights in the US, but REAL ID and Enhanced Permits are acceptable for boarding a domestic flight. Additionally, Enhanced licenses can be used to cross into Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean countries. Generally speaking, here's what you'll need to take the permit in New York:
  • A completed application for a permit.
  • Proof of Social Security status.
  • Proof of age.
  • Proof of identification.
  • Proof of residence (2 documents for a REAL ID Permit).
  • Vision Test Report completed by an eye care professional if you don't take the vision test at a provider enrolled in DMV's Online Vision Registry.
If you can't provide two documents to prove your identity or residence, your parent/guardian must come with you to a DMV office to sign the Statement of Identity and/or Residence. Refer to this guide to determine all the required documents based on the type of license you are interested in.

The DMV written tests are available in various languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Yiddish. Individuals with a hearing disability may request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at no cost.

Read the New York Driver's Handbook and take our free practice tests to verify your knowledge. Topics covered on the DMV written test include road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Once your scores are good, you are ready for the real exam.

The written test consists of 20 questions. You can find the most common topics of the test in our free practice tests. These quizzes cover a variety of topics, including traffic control signs, intersections and turns, passing, parallel parking, defensive driving, alcohol and drugs, special driving conditions, and road signs.

To pass the New York DMV written test, you need to correctly answer at least 14 out of the 20 questions presented. Additionally, you must correctly answer two of the four questions related to road signs.

If you have a learner permit in New York, you cannot drive:
  • Unless accompanied by a driver aged 21 or older.
  • On any street within a park in New York City.
  • On any bridge/ tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
  • On the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.
  • In a DMV road test area.

If you have a junior operator license:
  • You cannot transport more than one passenger under 21, unless they are siblings.
  • Regarding curfew, regional restrictions apply:
- In New York City (5 Boroughs), you must drive under the supervision of a parent/guardian, driving teacher/instructor aged 21 or older, and you cannot drive between 9 pm and 5 am.
- In Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk), you must drive under the supervision of a parent/guardian, driving teacher/instructor, or anyone designated by your parent/guardian aged 21 or older, and you cannot drive between 9 pm and 5 am.
- In Upstate (all other counties), you must drive under the supervision of a driver aged 21 or older. Driving is permitted between 9 am and 5 pm if you are accompanied by a parent/guardian or instructor aged 21 or older.

A New York learner permit is valid for a maximum of 5 years. If it expires, you cannot renew it and you need to apply for a new permit at a DMV office and retake the written test. The only exception is for individuals who possess two permits, such as a class M (motorcycle) and a class D (operator). In this case, there is the option to renew the second permit for an additional year by submitting the expired permit at a DMV office. Depending on the date of the last written test, it may be required to retake it.

If you don't pass your online DMV written test in New York, you'll need to wait at least 6 hours before submitting the application and trying again. If you find the exam difficult, sign up for DMV Premium, which offers numerous resources and practice tests to improve your preparation.

NY CDL Inspection Test

Number of questions: 20
Correct answers to pass:16
Passing score:80%
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