New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Learner Permits and Junior Licenses RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION

Learner permits and junior driver licenses (Class DJ or MJ) allow limited driving privileges for people learning to drive and for drivers under 18. The law and regulations restrict where, when and under what special circumstances you may drive. The restrictions vary with the time of day and the geographic area of New York State in which you are driving. As a learner or junior driver, it is your responsibility to know and obey the restrictions described in this brochure.

DEFINITIONS - As used in this brochure and the Regional Restrictions Chart below:

"Guardian" means a person who has, on a regular and extended basis, assumed the character of a parent and is discharging parental duties as the result of the death, disability or absence of the natural parent. In legal terminology, the guardian is described as being in loco parentis to the junior learner or driver.

"School" means instruction, education or training which is licensed or approved by a state agency or department, or training conducted by the U.S. armed forces. The term "school" does NOT include extracurricular activities, sports or social events for which no scholastic credits are given.

"Work" means a place of business at which the driver is employed on a regularly scheduled basis. You may NOT drive during work or as part of your work duties, such as for deliveries.

"Work-Study Program" means a state-approved cooperative work-study program, such as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services course for which academic credit is granted for work experience.

"Directly to or from (between)" means driving only to or from the activity, without side trips.

GENERAL PERMIT RESTRICTIONS

The restrictions listed below apply to all learner permit holders regardless of age. Those under 18 are also subject to the restrictions listed in the "Regional Restrictions" chart.

You May Not Drive:

• Unless accompanied by a person at least 18 years old who has a valid license for operating the vehicle you are driving. For example, only a person with a motorcycle license may supervise a motorcycle learner.

• In a DMV road test area. Motor vehicle offices have maps showing the local test area.

• On any street within a park in the five boroughs of New York City, or any bridge or 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.

REGIONAL RESTRICTIONS

YOU MAY DRIVE WITH A JUNIOR LEARNER PERMIT
(See DEFINITIONS above)

YOU MAY DRIVE WITH A JUNIOR LICENSE
(See DEFINITIONS above)

**ONLY On Days When Taking a Driver Education Class.

OUT OF STATE DRIVERS

The junior permit and license rules also apply to out-of-state drivers under 18. In addition, any restrictions on your out-of-state permit or license apply while you are driving in New York State. Make sure your permit is valid for driving outside your home state before driving in New York.

A person with a valid out-of-state license for the vehicle being driven may accompany a junior driver.

You may not drive in New York State if you are under 16, even if you are licensed in another state.

VISITING OTHER STATES

You may drive with a New York State junior permit or license in another state only if the laws of that state allow it, and you must obey any restrictions which may apply in that state. Check with police or motor vehicle authorities in the state you are visiting.

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT OR ENROLLMENT

You must carry proof of employment  when driving directly between your home and work, and proof of enrollment when driving directly between your home and school.

Your employer may obtain an MV-58A Certificate of Employment from a DMV office or Call Center, fill it out and give it to you as proof of your employment when driving to and from work, or your employer may provide you with a letter as proof of employment (see the sample letter below).

The letter must be dated and list the employer's name, address, and telephone number, your name, job description, hours and location of employment, and your motorist identification number.

If driving directly between your home and a qualifying educational activity, carry a similar letter from the appropriate school official listing the hours, nature and location of your school activity, your DMV Client ID number, and the address and number where the school official can be reached.

Sample Employment Letter:

ABC Company
West Avenue East
Upstate, NY 12345
(518)555-1234

February 25, 1997

TO THOSE CONCERNED:
Janet C. Riley works as a computer operator for the ABC Company at the address listed above. She works Mondays from 8 PM to 10 PM, Tuesdays from 9 PM to 10:30 PM, and Saturdays from 2 PM to 7 PM. Her DMV client ID number is 123-456-789.

You may reach me at the telephone number above to verify the information in this letter.

Sincerely,
Armin B. Cooley
General Manager

MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS

The restrictions in this brochure also apply to driving motorcycles or mopeds. In addition, a motorcycle or moped learner may not carry a passenger other than a person with a valid motorcycle or moped license serving as the accompanying driver.

The accompanying driver for a motorcycle or moped learner or junior operator need not ride on the cycle, but must exercise "general supervision," by remaining within one-quarter mile of the learner or junior operator at all times. The accompanying driver should keep the junior driver in sight at all times.

DRIVER EDUCATION

If you complete a state-approved high school or college driver education course, and you are 17 years old, you are eligible for a regular license (Class D). To receive one, bring your "blue card" (MV-285) and junior license to any motor vehicle office. You must actually convert to a class D. Otherwise, you are subject to all junior operator restrictions until you are 18, even if you carry a "blue card."

If you completed high school or college driver education in another state, and you wish to use that course to obtain an operator's license (Class D) in New York State, use   the form Request for Approval of Out-of-State Secondary School Driver Education Course (MV 285.1) to apply.

Edited for the Internet 9/98

Copyright © 2003 the NYSDMV. All rights are reserved.