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The Pre-Licensing Course is a DMV-approved, standardized course that provides the knowledge you will need as a new driver.
The Driver Pre-Licensing Course The Pre-Licensing CourseThe course covers many important topics, including:
The Pre-licensing Course will not give you hands-on driving instruction or prepare you for the driver license road test. If you want hands-on driving instruction from a licensed driving school, you may find a licensed driving school using the driving school locator on our website.
The Pre-Licensing Course includes approximately 5 hours of instruction. New drivers must complete the course before taking a DMV road test and applying for a license, unless they complete the State’s 48-hour Driver Education Program through their local high school or college.
Whichever format you choose, you must have a valid New York State DMV learner permit before you begin the course.
All courses use the same curriculum content. You can find the course curriculum and other information in the Pre-licensing Course Student's Manual (PDF) (MV-277.1) and the Pre-Licensing Course Instructor’s Manual (PDF) (MV-277). This information may be helpful to you before taking the class and as a reference afterward.
Course FormatsThe Classroom Pre-Licensing Course is delivered through many driving schools, high schools, and colleges. You must be at least 16 years old to participate in the classroom course.
The Distance Learning/Virtual Classroom Pre-Licensing Course is also delivered through many driving schools, high schools, and colleges and you must be at least 16 years old to participate. This course is taught live, in real-time, with face-to-face interaction between the instructor and participants, just like in the traditional classroom course, but using distance learning technology. To participate, you must have access to a device capable of connecting to the internet and using a web conferencing platform. When you contact a driving school, high school, or college that offers Distance learning Pre-Licensing, they will provide more specific information and instructions about what your device requires to take the course.
Not all driving schools can deliver the Pre-Licensing Course. To find a course in your area, search online for “Driving Instruction” or use our driving school locator. Once you find a school that appeals to you, contact the school to confirm whether they deliver the Pre-Licensing Course and in what format – classroom and/or distance learning. From there you can enroll in the course with that school.
The Online Pre-Licensing Course is offered by DMV-approved providers through the Pre-Licensing Course Internet Pilot Program. Contact an approved online course provider to enroll in an online course.
You can take the Online Pre-Licensing Course as long as you:
are at least 18 years of age, and
possess a valid New York State Photo Learner Permit, and
have access to a device capable of connecting to the internet.
NOTE: You will not receive a completion certificate for this course. The course provider will report your completion electronically to the DMV (usually within 48 hours). Once your completion is entered on your permit record, you can schedule your road test online or by telephone at 1-518-402-2100. The scheduling system will not ask you for a completion certificate.
Pre-Licensing Course CertificateYou will be issued an MV-278 Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate when you complete either the Classroom Pre-Licensing Course or by Distance Learning/Virtual Classroom. Applicants who complete the online version of the course will not receive a Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278). The course provider will report course completions to DMV automatically and applicants will not have to show a completion certificate when appearing for the road test.
Your Pre-licensing Course Certificate is valid for one year from the date it is issued. A Student Certificate of Completion of Driver Education is valid for two years. Your certificate must be valid the day you make your Road Test appointment but can expire on the day you take your road test. If your Pre-licensing Course Certificate expires, you must complete the course again to receive the certificate required to schedule a road test. If you lose your certificate, contact the school that issued it to obtain a replacement. You must bring the original certificate to your road test to turn in to the license examiner.
You do not need a Pre-licensing Course Certificate or a Student Certificate of Completion if you have a valid New York State driver license and you apply to amend to another license class.