1
NYC DMV PERMIT PRACTICE TEST – NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF
MOTOR VEHICLES | 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS AND RATIONALES .
Question 1 — Regulatory Signs (Multiple-Choice)
A red octagonal sign with white lettering means:
A) Yield to oncoming traffic
B) Stop completely and proceed when safe
C) Do not enter this roadway
D) Railroad crossing ahead
Answer: B) Stop completely and proceed when safe [CORRECT]
Rationale: A red octagon is the universal shape and color for a STOP sign under the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1172 requires drivers to
come to a complete stop at the marked stop line, before entering the crosswalk, or before entering
the intersection if no crosswalk exists. You must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before
proceeding. The octagonal shape was specifically chosen so drivers could recognize it from behind
even if the sign was obscured by snow or dirt.
Question 2 — Warning Signs (Image Identification)
[IMAGE: Yellow diamond-shaped sign with black arrow curving to the right]
This sign warns drivers of:
A) A sharp right turn ahead
B) A winding road
C) A side road entering from the right
D) A divided highway beginning
Answer: A) A sharp right turn ahead [CORRECT]
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Rationale: Yellow diamond-shaped signs are warning signs under the MUTCD. This specific sign
(W1-1R) indicates a sharp curve or turn in the roadway ahead. The arrow shows the direction of the
curve. NYS DMV guidance advises reducing speed before entering the curve, as posted speed limits
may be too fast for the curve conditions, especially in wet or icy weather. Warning signs are placed in
advance of the condition to give drivers time to react safely.
Question 3 — Guide Signs & Route Markers (Multiple-Choice)
You are driving on an interstate highway and see a red, white, and blue shield-shaped sign with
the number "87." This sign indicates:
A) A state highway route
B) A county road
C) An interstate highway route
D) A U.S. highway route
Answer: C) An interstate highway route [CORRECT]
Rationale: Interstate highway markers use a distinctive shield shape with red on top, white in the
middle, and blue on the bottom. Even-numbered interstates generally run east-west, while odd-
numbered interstates run north-south. In New York, I-87 (the Major Deegan Expressway and New
York State Thruway) is a primary north-south interstate. Guide signs with green backgrounds provide
directional and distance information, while the route marker itself identifies the specific highway
number.
Question 4 — Traffic Signal Meanings (True/False)
A flashing red traffic light means you must come to a complete stop and proceed only when the
intersection is clear, treating it the same as a stop sign.
A) True
B) False
NYC DMV PERMIT PRACTICE TEST – NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF
MOTOR VEHICLES | 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS AND RATIONALES .
Question 1 — Regulatory Signs (Multiple-Choice)
A red octagonal sign with white lettering means:
A) Yield to oncoming traffic
B) Stop completely and proceed when safe
C) Do not enter this roadway
D) Railroad crossing ahead
Answer: B) Stop completely and proceed when safe [CORRECT]
Rationale: A red octagon is the universal shape and color for a STOP sign under the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1172 requires drivers to
come to a complete stop at the marked stop line, before entering the crosswalk, or before entering
the intersection if no crosswalk exists. You must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before
proceeding. The octagonal shape was specifically chosen so drivers could recognize it from behind
even if the sign was obscured by snow or dirt.
Question 2 — Warning Signs (Image Identification)
[IMAGE: Yellow diamond-shaped sign with black arrow curving to the right]
This sign warns drivers of:
A) A sharp right turn ahead
B) A winding road
C) A side road entering from the right
D) A divided highway beginning
Answer: A) A sharp right turn ahead [CORRECT]
, 2
Rationale: Yellow diamond-shaped signs are warning signs under the MUTCD. This specific sign
(W1-1R) indicates a sharp curve or turn in the roadway ahead. The arrow shows the direction of the
curve. NYS DMV guidance advises reducing speed before entering the curve, as posted speed limits
may be too fast for the curve conditions, especially in wet or icy weather. Warning signs are placed in
advance of the condition to give drivers time to react safely.
Question 3 — Guide Signs & Route Markers (Multiple-Choice)
You are driving on an interstate highway and see a red, white, and blue shield-shaped sign with
the number "87." This sign indicates:
A) A state highway route
B) A county road
C) An interstate highway route
D) A U.S. highway route
Answer: C) An interstate highway route [CORRECT]
Rationale: Interstate highway markers use a distinctive shield shape with red on top, white in the
middle, and blue on the bottom. Even-numbered interstates generally run east-west, while odd-
numbered interstates run north-south. In New York, I-87 (the Major Deegan Expressway and New
York State Thruway) is a primary north-south interstate. Guide signs with green backgrounds provide
directional and distance information, while the route marker itself identifies the specific highway
number.
Question 4 — Traffic Signal Meanings (True/False)
A flashing red traffic light means you must come to a complete stop and proceed only when the
intersection is clear, treating it the same as a stop sign.
A) True
B) False
