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)
New York City
(All 5 Boroughs)
Long Island
(Nassau & Suffolk)
Upstate New York
(All Other Counties)
5 AM to 9 PM
5 AM to 9 PM
5 AM to 9 PM
Only when driving a vehicle with dual
controls (Instructor's Brake) and
accompanied by a driver education
teacher or driving school instructor.
Only when accompanied by a
licensed parent, guardian, driver
education teacher, or driving school
instructor.
Only when accompanied by a
licensed driver age 18 or older.
9 PM to 5 AM
9 PM to 5 AM
9 PM to 5 AM
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
Only when accompanied by a
licensed parent, guardian, driver
education teacher, or driving school
instructor.
YOU MAY DRIVE WITH A JUNIOR LICENSE
(See DEFINITIONS above)
New York City
(All 5 Boroughs)
Long Island
(Nassau & Suffolk)
Upstate New York
(All Other Counties)
5 AM to 9 PM
5 AM to 9 PM
5 AM to 9 PM
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
When accompanied by a licensed
parent, guardian, driver education
teacher, or driving school instructor.
Not accompanied, you may drive
only directly between your home and
work, a work-study program, a
course at a college, university, or
registered evening high school, a
driver education course**, or while
engaged in farm employment.
WITHOUT BEING
ACCOMPANIED
9 PM to 5 AM
9 PM to 5 AM
9 PM to 5 AM
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
You may drive only directly between
your home and a work-study
program, a course at a college,
university, or registered evening high
school, a driver education course**,
or while engaged in farm
employment.
When accompanied by a parent or
guardian.
Not accompanied, you may drive
only directly between your home and
work or school.
**ONLY On Days When Taking a Driver Education Class.