Failed the New York permit test? What happens next
Failing the knowledge test happens, and you can try again. Here is what the manual says and what to do differently this time.
Independent practice site. We're not the DMV and aren't connected to any government agency.
What happens now
- Why it failed
- You need 14 of 20 right overall and 2 of the 4 sign questions. A test can fail on the signs alone.Source: Manual chapter 1, Driver licenses, page 10
- When you can retake
- The manual sets no wait for the test at a DMV office. Ask your office.Source: Manual chapter 1, Driver licenses, page 10
- At school
- A student who fails the school's online test can take it again as many times as the school allows.Source: Manual chapter 1, Driver licenses, page 11
What to change before your next try
- Write down what caught you out while you still remember: which topics, and which kinds of question.
- Start with road signs. Two of the four sign questions must be right, so a weak spot there costs the most.
- Answer questions instead of rereading. Practicing with questions and reading why each wrong answer is wrong helps more than going over the manual again.
- Go over the numbers. Distances, limits, BAC levels and fines are easy to mix up. Each topic below has them.
Practice by topic
Sources
Checked against these sources on October 24, 2026.
We read these sources and wrote this page in our own words. The DMV has the final word, and rules change, so check anything important with the DMV before your appointment.