How To Obtain A New York State Driver's License

How To Obtain Your New York State Driver’s License

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Distinguished as an American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, and His Elite Team of Lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., Recognized by Expertise LLC as Best Car Accident Lawyers in Buffalo, New York, are Deeply Concerned About the Safety of Motorists on the Roadways of Western New York and Throughout New York State.


Lady showing her driving license Every teenager looks forward to turning 16 years old and finally being able to get their driver’s license. A driver’s first time behind the wheel can feel exciting and invigorating. Whether it is the newfound freedom or enjoyment of driving around, obtaining a license can open up endless possibilities. Nevertheless, before getting their licenses, new drivers must first learn how to drive properly and pass a test. Along with driving comes an enormous sense of responsibility. Even the most experienced drivers face numerous dangers behind the wheel. Thus, new drivers must do everything possible to drive safely and protect themselves.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in a single recent year, roughly 36,100 victims suffered fatalities in car crashes. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death throughout the United States. It is truly heartbreaking that the lives of so many victims are turned upside-down because of other negligent motorists. Car accident victims can suffer devastating injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, permanent disfigurements, and severe disabilities. When a driver is severely injured due to another’s negligence, he or she can find themselves in a tough situation physically, emotionally, and financially. Pursuing a personal injury claim against the responsible party may be the only way to begin to recover.

Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has exclusively handled serious personal injury cases. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to compensate his clients for their serious injuries. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned team possesses the experience and skills necessary to thoroughly investigate your accident and ensure that you are in the situation to obtain the highest possible compensation. Driving a car requires competence, concentration, and lots of practice. The first step to learning how to drive is obtaining your learner’s permit. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran car accident lawyers want our clients and the residents of Buffalo, New York, to remain safe and accident-free. As such, we have dedicated this page to help support new drivers in acquiring their NYS driver’s licenses. Contact us today at 716-839-3939 to find out more about how we can help you! We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we WIN for you!

Getting Your Learner Permit In New York State

For new drivers, getting a learner’s permit is the 1st step to obtaining a New York State driver’s license. To obtain their learner’s permits, applicants must be at least 16 years old and apply in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Class D Operator permit is the most common permit people apply for. We recommend that new drivers study the NY State Driver’s Manual and take several practice tests before going to the DMV.

When applying to take your permit test at the DMV, you will be required to provide proof of ID, age, and residence. Depending on the proofs you present, your permit will be Standard, Enhanced, or REAL ID. Please see the Standard Permit and Enhanced or REAL ID Permit Document Guides for further information regarding what proof documents you should bring. Before taking your written test, you will submit an application, pay a permit fee, and take a vision test or provide an Eye Test Report (MV-619). If you fail, you can retake the test at no additional cost. After passing, you will be issued a temporary permit and should receive your permit by mail within 2 weeks. Depending on your date of birth and the date of application, your permit will be valid for around 5 years.

DID YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, SUFFER SEVERE INJURIES OR WORSE IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN BUFFALO, NIAGARA FALLS, ROCHESTER, OR OTHER PARTS OF NEW YORK STATE?

CALL JED DIETRICH, ESQ. AND HIS TOP RATED AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK CAR COLLISION INJURY ATTORNEYS AT 716-839-3939 NOW TO OBTAIN THE HELP THAT YOU NEED!

Obtaining Your New York Driver’s License

After obtaining your permit, it is important to obey all learner’s permit restrictions. Learner permit holders are not allowed to drive without a supervising driver who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver’s license. Before taking the road test, you must take a Driver Education or 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course. If you are under age 18, you are required to complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving, including at least 15 hours at night as well as 10 hours in heavy traffic, and wait at least 6 months from the date you obtained your learner’s permit before scheduling a road test. Those under 18 years old must present the license examiner with a Certification of Supervised Driving (MV-262) certifying completion of the required driving practice.

Driving test Before scheduling a road test, you should practice steering, accelerating, braking, obeying speed limits, maintaining an adequate following distance, following all traffic signs and signals, stopping, switching lanes, using turn signals, proper observation, and reacting safely to other motorists. After passing the road test, the examiner will issue an interim license, and your license will arrive in the mail within 2 weeks. After obtaining your license, it is up to you to always wear a seatbelt, stay vigilant, never drive under the influence, obey all traffic laws, and drive defensively. This is the best possible combination for avoiding all preventable crashes and staying safe. Lastly, make sure you purchase an adequate car insurance policy.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of battle-tested car accident injury attorneys strongly encourages our clients and the residents of Buffalo, New York, to take all necessary safety precautions behind the wheel, remain accident and injury-free, and master their driving skills. Accident victims may be eligible for monetary compensation for all lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, past and future medical expenses, and pain and suffering through a personal injury lawsuit. Our American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Personal Injury Law Firm will fight to obtain unsurpassed results for your car accident injury claim. Time and time again, former clients of the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. have said that Jed Dietrich, Esq. is the best personal injury lawyer in Western New York. View our Google 5 Star rating and clients’ testimonials by clicking here. Call Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his top rated team today at 716-839-3939.


Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I am a medical doctor and have worked with many of the best lawyers in Buffalo and I can say without question that Jed Dietrich is the only lawyer I would trust with my injury case in Buffalo New York. B.O.
★★★★★
Dogged, Determined, and Dead-set on getting you the Maximum settlement for your injuries! T.F.
★★★★★
No one will work harder, smarter or better; I have retained Jed and he obtained the best result for my case. D.P.
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The definition of an "A" type personality-exactly who I would want to represent me in a serious personal injury case. E.S.
★★★★★
Jed is a Master in the courtroom without an equal. S.C.
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