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In order to begin to drive in the state of New York is sixteen (16) years of age. If you apply for a license below the age of eighteen (18) you will be placed into the Graduated Driver License Program. At this age you can apply for your Learner License. Drivers under the age of 18 will also need their parents signature and permission. Drivers of age 17 with Drivers Ed do not require parents's approval. The sole purpose of a permit is for you to learn how to drive a vehicle. 

New York Drivers Ed

First time applicants that are seventeen (17) years old do not require their parent's permission to obtain a Permit as long as you show an MV-285 Driver Education certificate. 

Visit our new york drivers ed page for more information on New York driver education.

Cost

The COST of the permit differs depending on your age and location in NYC. The prices begin at $64.25 and go up to $92.50

Expiration

Your learner's permit is usually valid for five (5) years.

Renewal

Your permit can only be renewed if you've taken and passed the written test within the last two (2) years. You will not be allowed to renew it, and must apply for a new one, if its been longer than two (2) years since you last took the written test.

Once you figure out whether you qualify for a permit renewal, you have the option of renewing it thirty (30) days before expiration.  To begin your renewal process, please visit your nearest DMV office or request a renewed permit via mail.

If you do not qualify (because more than 2 years have passed since you last took the written test), you will have to retake both written and vision exams.

Lost Permit

If you've lost or destroyed your learners permit, you have a few different ways of ordering a duplicate.

Online

Process your request Online securely, 24 hours a day. The fee for a duplicate permit is $17.50 and must be paid with a credit card. If your permit has been lost because of criminal activity, you can go in person and replace your permit free of charge. The following are the conditions that must be met in order to apply online:

• If you are over twenty five (25) years old,  you cannot order your lost permit online if you have already done it once during the past two (2) years.
• If you are under twenty five (25) years old you cannot request a duplicate online more than one time.
• Your twenty first (21st) birthday cannot be 40 days or less away.
• Your current lost permit must not be expired or suspended.
• You cannot have been issued a duplicate 30 days (or less) ago.
• You cannot make any changes to your current permit, such as address change, name change or a change of permit class.
• As a security measure, you will be required to enter your Client ID Number, birth date, gender, zip code and last 4 digits of your Social Security.  
• You must have a valid credit card of type American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

Your duplicate permit will be sent to the address on file, and will arrive in the mail in two (2) weeks. Please remember that your physical permit card that arrives in the mail is the only legal proof of a valid leaners permit. 

In Person

Please visit any new york dmv office. You will not be charged the $17.50 fee if your permit has been stolen or lost due to a crime. 

By Mail

The New York DMV will deliver your duplicate permit via regular U.S. postal mail or express mail. Your first step is to download the Application For Driver License MV-44 form. Your next step is to prepare a check or money order for the amount of $17.50 written to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

If your preference is to have your permit sent via the U.S. postal service, please send the application along with the Identification documents to the following address:

DMV License Production Bureau
P.O. Box 2688-ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0668

If your preference is to have your permit sent via Express Mail, please send the application along with the Identification documents, inside of a self addressed prepaid Express Mail envelop to the following address:

Documents needed to get your New York Drivers Permit

Other Driver License Topics in the State of New York