Driver training rules in New York

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in New York for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required: all new drivers, teens included, must take the 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course before the road test, unless they finish a 48-hour high school or college driver ed program (which also lets a 17-year-old junior licensee get a senior license).source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	Class DJ/MJ permit: 50 hours supervised practice, at least 15 after sunset, before road test; under 18 wait at least 6 months from permit to road test.source 1
New adult drivers	Yes, all ages: DMV Pre-Licensing Course before the road test (unless 48-hour driver ed completed).source 1
Who licenses driving schools	DMV Bureau of Driver Training Programs authorizes driving schools; commissioner issues licenses (renewals valid up to 2 years) (VTL 394).source 3 · source 4
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Federal ELDT from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider; state Class A Young Adult Training Program lets ages 18-20 get Class A with ELDT plus supervised driving time.source 5
CDL schools: state license	Yes. DMV drivers' school license (VTL 394) for instruction for hire; DMV's application covers tractor-trailer, truck and bus schools. No NYSED career-school license is needed for a DMV-licensed course (Education Law 5001(2)(g)); a school may still choose to apply (5001(2-a)).source 4 · source 3 · source 6 · source 7
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state CDL hour minimum found. DMV requires ELDT from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider before the CDL road test.source 5
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. DMV instructor certificate plus a valid driver's license for anyone teaching driving for hire or employed by a licensed school (VTL 394(8)).source 4 · source 8 · source 3
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Not settled. The DMV drivers' school license covers the business of giving instruction for hire (VTL 394); the law does not say whether a carrier training its own drivers needs one. Free, not-for-profit training of a firm's own employees is exempt from the NYSED career-school license (Education Law 5001(2)(e)).source 4 · source 7
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 5
Carriers: instructor rules	Not settled. A DMV instructor certificate is required for anyone employed by a licensed drivers' school or giving driving instruction for hire (VTL 394(8)); the law does not say how this applies to a carrier's own trainers. Federal 380.713 applies.source 4
New school bus drivers	At least 4 hours pre-service before transporting students, then a 30-hour commissioner-approved basic course in the first year.source 9
School bus refresher	At least 2 hours of refresher training twice a year (Jul 1-Oct 31 and Dec 1-May 1).source 9

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from New York, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in New York

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/complete-pre-licensing-requirements
2. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/younger-driver/the-graduated-license-law
3. https://dmv.ny.gov/business/driver-training/open-a-driving-school
4. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/394
5. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-driver-license
6. https://dmv.ny.gov/document/mv-520
7. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/5001
8. https://dmv.ny.gov/business/driver-training/become-a-driving-school-instructor
9. https://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/regulations/html/section156.3_safety_regulations.html

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