18 or older with a photo learner permit
You can take the 5-hour course online. If you only have the temporary permit, wait for the photo permit. It usually arrives about two weeks later.
✓ 100% online · NYS DMV approvedTrusted by 50,000+ new drivers
NY DMV-Approved 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Online
You need it before your road test, and we know it's nobody's favorite part. So we made it as easy as we could: read or listen, on your phone or computer, in as many short sittings as you like.
- Works on a phone, tablet, or computer
- Pause anytime. Your progress saves, so you pick up right where you left off
- No final exam, and no MV-278 certificate to bring to your road test. We report your completion to the DMV for you
- Price
- $42.95 one time
- Length
- 5 hours in 9 short modules. Take up to 30 days
- After
- Completion reported to the DMV electronically, usually within 48 hours. Then book your road test
For new drivers 18 or older with a NYS photo learner permit. Under 18? New York requires a classroom course instead. Check if you can take it online
¿En español? Regístrese para curso en español
See the course
No surprises. Here's what you'll actually see.
Clear lessons, simple graphics, and an audio read-along that highlights the text as it's read aloud. These screenshots are from Module 1.
Listen or read
Rather listen? Press play.
Turn on the audio read-along and the lesson is read aloud while the text lights up, so it's easy to keep your place. This is the real opening of Module 1.
- Listen while you read, or just read. Your choice.
- Skip back, skip ahead, or change the speed.
- Leave anytime. Progress is saved.
New York Online Pre-Licensing Course
Welcome to the New York State Pre-Licensing Course.
Driving is one of the most social things you will ever do. Every time you head out, you share the road with hundreds of other drivers, each going somewhere different. Imagine the chaos if there were no rules to manage the flow of traffic.
This course teaches the core principles and laws of driving so you can become a safe, responsible driver. You will learn about the risks every driver faces and how to handle them. You will also learn why every traffic law matters, and what happens to drivers who break them and put lives and property at risk.
38-second excerpt from the course audio. In the course, the player stays at the top of every lesson.
How it works
Three steps to your road test
About 5 hours, as required by the New York State DMV. Do it all at once or spread it over several days.
Sign up and start
Register in a few minutes, pay $42.95 once, and start on any device.
Take the 9 modules
Read or listen, with a short quiz after each module. Stop whenever you like and pick up where you left off.
Book your road test
We report your completion to the DMV electronically. Once it's on your permit record, usually within 48 hours, schedule your road test online or by phone. Your completion stays valid for 1 year.
Who it's for
Can you take it online?
Under 18 or getting a junior license?
New York requires a classroom course (in person or a live virtual class) for drivers under 18 and for junior licenses (Class DJ or MJ).
Not sure?
Use our eligibility checker to see whether you can take the course online. Check if you can take it online.
The pre-licensing course covers driving within the highway transportation system, driver habits and skills, feelings, attitudes and risk-taking, and alcohol, other drugs and driving. It doesn't include hands-on driving instruction.
Online or in a classroom?
Same New York requirement, your schedule
Every DMV-approved pre-licensing course uses the same curriculum. If you'd rather not plan around a class time, online is simpler.
| Online with DDI | Classroom course | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | 18+ with a NYS photo learner permit | 16+ with a learner permit |
| Where | Anywhere, on a phone or computer | At a school, or a live virtual class |
| When | Whenever you have time. Pause anytime | At the scheduled class time |
| Certificate | None needed. We report your completion to the DMV | MV-278 certificate to bring to your road test |
| Listen instead | Audio read-along | Live instructor |
One price
$42.95, paid once
Pay once when you register. There's no final exam and no certificate to pick up: we report your completion to the DMV for you.
Defensive Drivers Institute is a New York State DMV-approved online pre-licensing course provider.
- Price
- $42.95 one time
- Length
- About 5 hours, pause anytime
- Devices
- Phone, tablet, or computer
- After
- Completion reported to the DMV, then you book your road test. Valid for 1 year
- Refunds
- Not finished? You can get a refund. Refund policy
Quick answers
New York 5-hour course questions
Is this course approved by the New York DMV?
Yes. Defensive Drivers Institute is a New York State DMV-approved online pre-licensing course provider. When you finish, we report your completion to the DMV electronically.
Who can take the 5-hour course online?
New York lets you take it online if you're 18 or older and have a valid New York State photo learner permit. If you're applying for a junior license (Class DJ or MJ), New York requires the classroom course instead. Check if you can take it online
I only have a temporary permit. Can I start?
Not yet. You need the photo learner permit. It usually arrives in the mail about two weeks after you get your temporary permit.
How long does it take?
About 5 hours: 9 modules with at least 270 minutes of instruction. Do it in one sitting or spread it out. You have 30 days from registration to finish.
Can I stop and come back later?
Yes. Pause anytime. Your progress saves automatically, so if you log out or get disconnected, you pick up right where you left off.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. It works on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and you can switch devices and continue where you left off.
Is there a final exam?
No. Each of the 9 modules ends with a short quiz. You need 70% to pass, and you get three tries at each quiz.
What if I fail a quiz three times?
New York DMV rules mean you start the course over with a new registration. Registering again is free.
How does identity verification work?
New York requires online courses to confirm it's really you. You'll answer a personal security question when you log in, and get a one-time PIN on your phone. The course walks you through each step.
Do I get an MV-278 certificate?
No, and you don't need one. When you finish, we report your completion to the DMV electronically and you get a confirmation email. It usually shows on your DMV record within 48 hours. You won't have to show a certificate at your road test.
How do I schedule my road test?
Once your completion is on your permit record, schedule your road test online or by phone at 1-518-402-2100. The scheduling system won't ask you for a completion certificate.
How long is my completion valid?
Your completion stays valid for 1 year after you finish. We send a reminder 2 months before it expires. Schedule your road test before then.
Is the course available in Spanish?
How much does it cost?
$42.95, paid once when you register.
What if I change my mind?
If you haven't completed the course, you can request a refund by contacting our support team. Read our refund policy
Questions? Call us at (833) 921-0217, or reach us by live chat or email. We're happy to help.
Module 1 · Course Introduction (free preview)
Like it? The full course is $42.95, and progress saves as you go.Start my 5-hour course →
