Updated guide: For the latest, complete details on New York's 5-hour pre-licensing course, see our free 5-hour pre-licensing course guide.
There are many questions that people may have regarding the 5 Hour Course in New York. Here, we will try to answer some of the most common questions.
"What is the 5 Hour Pre-Licensing class?"
The Pre-Licensing Course, better known as "the 5-hour class," is a classroom course approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles that teaches future drivers how to drive safely on the road.
Is the 5 Hour Class mandatory?
Yes, for most new drivers. You can't schedule or take your road test until you have completed the 5 Hour Pre-Licensing Course and received a completion certificate. The main exception is a student who has completed driver education and holds an MV-285.
How can I take the 5 Hour Course?
The 5 Hour Pre-licensing Class is a DMV-approved classroom course that gives beginner drivers useful knowledge. It promotes safe, courteous, defensive, and drug- and alcohol-free driving, and it is usually the first formal training a new driver gets. The class isn't meant to teach you how to drive or how to pass the road test. At Drive Rite Academy, we teach it live on Zoom. Prefer to go at your own pace? Through our affiliate partner, a NY DMV approved online provider, we also offer a self-paced online 5-hour course for permit holders aged 18 and up with a plastic photo permit. Start any time and take up to 30 days to finish. Our live Zoom class is open to permit holders aged 16 and up. See our 5-hour course page for both options.
The class covers a variety of topics:
- driving within the highway transportation system
- feelings, attitudes and risk taking
- alcohol, other drugs and driving
The 5 hour pre-licensing class is required to schedule and take your road test. When you complete our live Zoom class, you receive a Pre-licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278), valid for one year. If you have completed a high school or college driver education course, you receive a Driver Education Certificate (MV-285) instead and don't need the 5-hour course. You must have a New York State learner permit to take the 5 Hour Course. If you don't have one yet, see our driver's license guide for how to get your learner permit.
Drive Rite Academy teaches the 5 hour class live on Zoom. See current class dates and reserve your seat on our 5-hour course page.
Read our full guide: free 5-hour pre-licensing course guide.