IN
You must correctly answer two of the four road sign questions; failing 3 sign questions causes a fail even if your overall score meets 70%.
You need 14 of 20 correct (70%). The test uses a fail-fast system. Missing 3 of the 4 road sign questions triggers an automatic fail regardless of overall score.
The computerized test will end once you reach a definite pass or fail (for example, 14 correct or 7 wrong), so the test can stop early.
*You must have at least 2 correct road sign answers included in your passing score.
| Requirement | Minimum to pass |
|---|---|
| Overall score | 14 of 20 correct (70%) |
| Road-sign questions | At least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct |
Yes. You need at least 14 correct overall and at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correct. A score of 14/20 is not enough if the separate road-sign minimum is missed.
You can miss up to 6 questions overall and still reach 14/20, but the road-sign rule still applies. If you answer fewer than 2 of the 4 road-sign questions correctly, you fail even if your overall total is 14 or higher.
Scoring 16/20 but missing 3 road sign questions is a fail. Scoring 13/20 stops the test at the 7th wrong answer. Scoring exactly 14 including 2 road sign questions passes.
Understanding the margin for error is key to achieving the permit test passing score. Most students underestimate how harsh the scoring system really is.
A student in Buffalo answers 16 general questions correctly but misses 3 of the 4 road sign questions. Their overall score is 16/20 (80%), but they fail automatically for violating the road sign rule.
An applicant at the Brooklyn DMV on Jay Street answers 13 questions correctly and 7 incorrectly. The test stops at the 7th wrong answer, resulting in a 65% fail, one question short of the 70% threshold.
A test-taker in Albany correctly answers 14 questions, including exactly 2 road sign questions. They pass with the minimum score of 70%, and the test ends early.
The core Class D passing standard is the same: at least 14 of 20 correct, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. The testing method does not create a lower passing score.
The passing score is the same across eligible testing methods: at least 14 of 20 correct, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions.
Retake timing and failed-test procedures belong in the dedicated Failed Knowledge Test guide because they can depend on the testing method.
What you see after testing can depend on the testing method. The key result is whether you met the official passing standard; do not rely on every system displaying the same detailed score breakdown.
For this page, the key scoring preparation is simple: practice until you can reliably clear both the 14-of-20 overall minimum and the separate 2-of-4 road-sign minimum.
Application documents belong in the Required Documents guide, while broader study strategy belongs in the Practice Tests guide.
No study method can guarantee a pass. Use the current New York Driver's Manual and practice until you consistently meet both scoring thresholds.
For a full study plan, see the New York permit practice tests.
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Michael R.
New Driver
"I was struggling with the specific road rules of my state until I used Shoro. The flashcards are a game changer for quick revision before the actual exam."
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Permit Holder
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