Learner's Permit Class

Week 1: What Is the Permit Test?

NYS Learner's Permit Prep  •  7-Week Workbook

Name: Date:
How to use this workbook. Each week has its own worksheet that checks what you learned in class. Work through the questions in order.
WEEK 1

What Is the Permit Test?

Today we talked about what the New York State Learner's Permit test is, how it works, and what it covers. Use this worksheet to check your understanding.

1.What is a learner's permit? Why do people take the permit test?
2.What are some things the DMV test will ask about?
3.How many questions are on the test?
10 20 30 50
4.What do you need to pass the permit test? (Check all that are true)
Get at least 14 answers right
Get at least 2 questions right about signs
Finish in under 5 minutes
Get every question right
Clarify — For the "check all that are true" question, read each line on its own and ask, "Is this rule real, or does it just sound strict?" You do not have to be perfect to pass — think about what the test actually requires, not what feels the hardest.
5.What is something that makes you nervous about taking the permit test?
6.What is one thing you learned today that made you feel more confident?
7.What is your goal for this class?
Mentor Notes
WEEK 2

Chapter 4 — Traffic Control: Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

Today we learned about different types of road signs and traffic signals. These questions will help you practice what we covered.

1.What are three types of road signs?
2.What color are warning signs?
Red Yellow Green Blue
3.What shape is a stop sign?
Triangle Circle Octagon Square
Clarify — Signs "talk" through color and shape before you even read the words. Picture a real stop sign and a real warning sign in your head — the picture tells you the answer. That is exactly how they help you when you are actually driving.
4.Match the sign with its meaning:
STOP SIGN →
YIELD SIGN →
RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN →
5.What does a red traffic light mean?
6.What should you do when the light turns yellow?
7.What lines on the road tell you where to stop?
8.Why is it important to pay attention to signs and signals?
9.Which of these signs is most important to follow near schools?
Speed limit sign Road work sign No parking sign Hospital sign
10.One sign or signal I want to practice more:
Mentor Notes
WEEK 3

Chapters 5 & 6 — Intersections, Turns & Passing Rules

This week we talked about how to drive safely at intersections and when passing other vehicles.

1.What should you always do when you approach a STOP sign?
2.What is the right-of-way?
3.When do you have to yield to pedestrians?
4.What should you do before turning at an intersection?
5.When is it safe to pass another vehicle on the road?
Clarify — For "right-of-way" and "when to pass," think about safety and who goes first, not just rules to memorize. Ask yourself: "Can I see far enough ahead, and is it clearly allowed here?" If you would hesitate in a real car, that hesitation is part of the answer.
6.What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road mean?
You may pass No passing School zone Merge left
7.Why should you never pass a school bus with its red lights flashing?
8.What are some situations where passing is not allowed?
9.What is something new you learned today?
10.What's one intersection or turn you want to practice more?
WEEK 4

Chapter 7 — Parallel Parking & Chapter 8 — Defensive Driving

Today we practiced learning about parallel parking and how to drive defensively.

1.What is parallel parking?
2.What are the basic steps to parallel parking?
3.How close should your vehicle be to the curb after you park?
6 inches or less 12 inches or less 2 feet Doesn't matter
4.What is something that makes you nervous about parking?
5.What does "defensive driving" mean?
Clarify — "Defensive driving" is about staying ready for what other people might do wrong. For the "check all" list, keep the answers that make you safer and more aware, and question any that sound like they would slow everyone down or take your attention off the road.
6.What are some ways to be a defensive driver? (Check all that are true)
Pay attention to others
Drive slowly all the time
Leave space between cars
Predict what other drivers might do
7.Why is it important to keep your distance from the car in front of you?
8.What should you do if another driver is being aggressive?
9.What is something new you learned about defensive driving or parking?
10.What's one thing you'd like to practice more?
Mentor Notes
WEEK 5

Chapter 9 — Alcohol and Other Drugs

Today we learned about how alcohol and other drugs affect driving and why it's dangerous to drive while impaired.

1.Why is it dangerous to drive after drinking alcohol?
2.What are some effects alcohol has on your body? (Check all that are true)
Makes you more alert
Slows your reaction time
Affects your judgment
Improves your focus
3.What is BAC?
4.What is the legal BAC limit in New York for drivers 21 and over?
0.08% 0.05% 1.0% 0.2%
Clarify — For the effects of alcohol, remember it slows down and weakens the driver — so cross out any choice that claims it makes you better. For BAC, notice which numbers are tiny and which are huge; the legal limit is a small, specific number, not the biggest one.
5.Can over-the-counter or prescription drugs also affect your driving?
Yes No Only illegal drugs
6.Why is it important to read warning labels on medicine before driving?
7.What are the consequences of driving under the influence (DUI)?
8.What should you do if someone offers you a ride and they've been drinking?
9.What is something you learned today that surprised you?
10.What is one way to stay safe and avoid impaired driving situations?
Mentor Notes
WEEK 6

Chapters 10 & 11 — Special Driving Conditions & Sharing the Road

Today we learned about how to drive safely in difficult situations and how to share the road with others.

1.What are some examples of special driving conditions?
2.What should you do when driving in rain, snow, or fog?
3.Why is it dangerous to use high beams in fog?
It helps you see better
It reflects back and makes it harder to see
It's required by law
It doesn't matter what lights you use
Clarify — Think about what light does when it hits fog, rain, or snow — it can bounce back at you. Picture standing in fog with a bright flashlight. The right answer is the one that explains why more light can actually mean seeing less.
4.What's one thing you should do when driving at night?
5.Who do you share the road with?
Only other cars
Pedestrians, bikes, motorcycles, trucks, buses
Just school buses and emergency vehicles
Nobody—roads are just for cars
6.How should you drive near a large truck?
7.What's something important to remember about school buses?
8.What should you do when passing a bicyclist on the road?
9.What's something you want to practice or learn more about?
10.Why is it important to stay calm and alert when driving?
Mentor Notes
WEEK 7

Practice Test & Group Review

This week we took a full practice test and talked about the questions we got right and the ones we want to improve. Use this worksheet to reflect on your test experience.

1.How many questions did you get right on the practice test?
2.How many questions did you get wrong?
3.What kind of questions were hardest for you? (Check all that apply)
Road signs Traffic lights Passing rules Alcohol and drug laws
Parking Intersections Defensive driving Sharing the road
Clarify — When you look at a question you missed, don't just find the right answer — figure out why the wrong one fooled you. Was it a word you misread, a rule you forgot, or a rushed guess? Naming the reason is how you keep it from happening on the real test.
4.Pick one question you got wrong. What was it about?
5.What was the correct answer?
6.Why do you think you missed that question?
7.What will you do differently next time you take the test?
8.What helped you most while preparing for the test?
9.What are you proud of from today's practice?
10.What's one thing you want to review again next week?
Mentor Notes

Looking Back Across the Weeks

Which week felt easiest for you? Which topic do you still want more practice with before test day? Name one thing you are more confident about now than when you started.

FOR MENTOR USE — WORK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER

Mentor Guide

How to support a student preparing for the NYS Learner's Permit test

1. What this workbook builds

Across seven weeks it moves from "what is the test" to signs, intersections, parking, impaired driving, special conditions, and a full practice test. The aim is a calm, prepared test-taker who understands the why behind the rules — not someone who only memorized answers. Reduce test anxiety first; the knowledge sticks better when the student is not afraid.

2. Connect every rule to real driving

3. Using the Clarify nudges

Let the student attempt each week's questions first; read the Clarify box only if they stall. The nudges coach strategy — "picture the sign," "which number is the legal limit," "name why you missed it" — and never give the answer. There is no answer key here on purpose: work uncertain items out together so the thinking becomes theirs.

4. Handling the multiple-choice and "check all" items

5. Building confidence toward test day