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.
New York's 5-hour pre-licensing course is one of the steps between your learner permit and your road test. People often mix it up with behind-the-wheel lessons, but it's a separate short course you take online. Here's what the course includes, who needs it, and how to take it with Drive Rite Academy.
Who Needs the Course?
New York requires new drivers, and drivers whose license is expired or revoked, to complete a pre-licensing course before they can book a road test. The main exception is a student who holds an MV-285 driver education certificate. You need a valid New York learner permit before you take it.
What the Course Includes
The course is about knowledge and habits rather than car control. Topics include:
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New York traffic laws, signs, and right-of-way rules
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Defensive driving: scanning ahead, keeping a safe following distance, and planning for other road users' mistakes
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How alcohol and drugs affect judgment and reaction time
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Sharing the road safely with pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers
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Time to ask questions, in our live Zoom class
These are the same habits your instructor and supervising driver will help you practice behind the wheel.
How to Take It with Drive Rite Academy
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Live Zoom class at Drive Rite Academy (16+): one five-hour session with a live instructor, on a date you book in advance. There's no final exam or quiz; you attend and take part in the full five-hour session.
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Self-paced online, through our affiliate partner (18+): for permit holders with a plastic photo permit. Start any time and take up to 30 days to finish; your completion is reported to the DMV electronically, and there's no paper certificate.
For current prices, give us a call at 718-928-7048 or enroll online to see them.
What You Get When You Finish
After our live Zoom class, Drive Rite Academy issues your paper MV-278 certificate, which you can have mailed to you (expedited shipping available) or pick up at our Brooklyn office. If you take the self-paced course through our affiliate partner, your completion is reported to the DMV electronically and there is no paper certificate. The MV-278 is valid for one year from the issue date.
What Comes Next
You schedule your road test with the New York DMV, online or by phone. You'll need your learner permit and an original, unexpired MV-278 (or MV-285). If you took the self-paced online course, the DMV already has your completion on record.
Practice regularly with a licensed supervising driver, and consider driving lessons with a professional instructor before test day. Our road test services include a car for your road test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the online course approved by the DMV?
Yes. Our live Zoom class is approved by the New York DMV, and the self-paced course is offered through our affiliate partner, a NY DMV approved online provider.
Is there an age requirement?
Our live Zoom class is open to permit holders aged 16 and up. The self-paced course is for permit holders aged 18 and up with a plastic photo permit.
Conclusion
The 5-hour course is short, focused, and the step that opens the door to your road test. See our 5-hour course page to pick a class date, or call our team at 718-928-7048 with questions.
Read our full guide: free 5-hour pre-licensing course guide.