DMV Practice Pro
Practice
Mock exam
Road signs
🇲🇽 Español
🇲🇽 ES
Home
›
New York
›
Safe Driving
New York Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions
Following distance, headlights, seat belts and distractions.
Start practicing
Every New York topic, mock exams and your progress, right here or in the app.
Question 1
According to the manual, about how many of every 10 crashes are rear-end collisions?
Six
Eight
One
Four
Correct answer: Four
Four of every 10 crashes involve rear-end collisions, usually from following too closely.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Allow Yourself Space
Question 2
How do you apply the two-second rule?
Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed object until you reach it
Stay two car lengths behind for every 10 mph
Check your mirrors every two seconds while keeping one car length per 10 mph
Count two seconds after the car ahead brakes before you brake
Correct answer: Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed object until you reach it
Pick a fixed object; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach it first, you are too close.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Allow Yourself Space
Question 3
A driver is tailgating you. What does the manual advise?
Change lanes or slow down and pull off to let them pass
Tap your brakes repeatedly to warn them
Speed up to increase the gap so they cannot stay close behind you
Ignore them and keep your speed
Correct answer: Change lanes or slow down and pull off to let them pass
Move to another lane if possible or reduce speed and pull off the road to let them by; don't brake suddenly, which can provoke road rage.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Allow Yourself Space
Question 4
A driver on a side road is approaching a STOP sign. What should a defensive driver assume?
That the other driver might not stop
That they will wave you through
That you must stop for them
That the other driver will surely stop
Correct answer: That the other driver might not stop
Defensive drivers anticipate errors; it is better to assume the other driver will not stop.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Be Prepared and Look Ahead
Question 5
How often should you check behind you in your mirrors?
Only when braking
Every few seconds
Only when changing lanes
Once every minute
Correct answer: Every few seconds
Keep your eyes moving, watch the sides of the road, and check your mirrors every few seconds.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Be Prepared and Look Ahead
Question 6
Which statement about distractions is true?
Only physical distractions cause crashes
Eating is safe as long as you keep one hand on the wheel at all times
Mental distractions are just as dangerous as taking your eyes off the road
Talking with passengers is never distracting
Correct answer: Mental distractions are just as dangerous as taking your eyes off the road
A distraction is anything that takes your attention from driving; mental activities are just as dangerous as visual or manual ones.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Driver Distractions
Question 7
How should a pet travel in your vehicle?
Secured in a pet carrier or portable kennel
On the front passenger's lap
Loose on the back seat, so it can move around and stay calm during the trip
In the driver's footwell
Correct answer: Secured in a pet carrier or portable kennel
Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Driver Distractions
Question 8
An aggressive driver confronts you. What should you do?
Speed up and hold your lane position
Return their gestures so they know you will not be pushed around
Make eye contact so they know you saw them
Avoid eye contact, stay calm and move away safely
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact, stay calm and move away safely
Don't make eye contact, remain calm, try to move away safely, and don't challenge them with speed.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Aggressive Drivers
Question 9
An aggressive driver is following you. What should you do?
Brake hard to make them back off
Stop in a quiet area and wait
Pull over in a quiet spot, get out, and calmly talk the problem over with the driver
Don't stop or get out; drive to the nearest police station
Correct answer: Don't stop or get out; drive to the nearest police station
If an aggressive driver follows you, do not stop or get out—drive to the nearest police station.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Aggressive Drivers
Question 10
How does the manual distinguish aggressive driving from road rage?
Road rage is only yelling at other drivers
They are exactly the same thing
Aggressive driving breaks traffic laws; road rage breaks criminal laws
Aggressive driving is always a felony
Correct answer: Aggressive driving breaks traffic laws; road rage breaks criminal laws
Aggressive driving generally violates traffic safety laws, while road rage involves breaking a criminal law.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Road Rage
Question 11
What does it mean that New York is a "primary enforcement" seat belt state?
Police can stop you just for an unbelted occupant
Only the driver must wear a belt; passengers are exempt from the law
Belts are only checked after a crash
Tickets are issued only to drivers under 18
Correct answer: Police can stop you just for an unbelted occupant
In a primary enforcement state, an officer can pull you over solely because you or a passenger isn't buckled.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats and Air Bags
Question 12
Who is responsible for making sure passengers under 16 are properly restrained?
No one, if they are in the back seat
Their parents only
The passengers themselves
The driver
Correct answer: The driver
The driver must ensure each passenger under 16 uses a seat belt or appropriate child restraint, facing a $25–$100 fine and 3 points per violation.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats and Air Bags
Question 13
How many points can a driver receive for each unrestrained passenger under 16?
3
0
5
1
Correct answer: 3
Failing to restrain a passenger under 16 can bring a $25–$100 fine and three points per violation.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats and Air Bags
Question 14
A child under age 4 must ride in:
A federally approved child safety seat
An adult seat belt in the back seat
The front seat, held securely on an adult passenger's lap
A booster seat with a lap belt only
Correct answer: A federally approved child safety seat
Children under 4 must be in a federally approved child safety seat attached by a seat belt or LATCH.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats and Air Bags
Question 15
Until what age must a child ride rear-facing (unless they outgrow the seat's limits first)?
6 months old
1 year old
4 years old
2 years old
Correct answer: 2 years old
A child must ride rear-facing until age 2 or until reaching the seat maker's highest weight or height limit.
Source: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Seat Belts, Child Safety Seats and Air Bags
All New York practice
Other topics
Road Signs
Signals & Pavement Markings
Right-of-Way
Speed Limits
Turning
Lanes & Passing
Parking
Alcohol & Drugs
Emergencies
Sharing the Road
Licensing
Insurance & Collisions
Teen & Provisional Drivers
Ready for the real test?
Get the full question bank and practice tests that match your state’s exam in the app.
Coming soon
Download on the App Store
Coming soon
Get it on Google Play
Not affiliated with any state DMV or government agency.
Practice questions are written from official driver handbooks. Always check your state DMV for current rules.
Privacy
Terms
Road signs
© 2026 DMV Practice Pro
Home
Practice
Exam
Road signs
Profile