MV-500H Form – The MV-500H form, officially titled “IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEARNER’S PERMITS”, is a free two-page PDF published by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). Marked as MV-500H (11/21), it delivers essential rules, restrictions, and instructions that every learner permit holder in New York must follow.
This document is required reading for anyone applying for or holding a learner permit (including Class D, DJ, MJ, M, or Commercial Learner Permit). The NY DMV references it in the official Driver’s Manual and on its learner-permit pages as the primary source for permit restrictions.
Direct official download: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv500h.pdf
Who Must Read the MV-500H Learner Permit Information PDF?
- Teens applying for their first learner permit at age 16+
- Parents or guardians of junior drivers (Class DJ or MJ)
- Motorcycle or moped learner permit holders
- Anyone upgrading to or holding a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)
- Out-of-state permit holders driving in New York
Failing to follow MV-500H rules can result in permit suspension, road-test denial, or ticketed violations. The form emphasizes safety restraints and supervised driving to reduce crashes among new drivers.
General Restrictions That Apply to ALL NY Learner Permit Holders
According to the official MV-500H PDF, these rules are mandatory no matter your age or permit class:
- You must have a supervising driver (age 21+, with a valid license for the vehicle type) seated in the vehicle with you at all times.
- Motorcycle/moped learners: Only the supervising driver may ride with you, or they may follow within ¼ mile while keeping you in sight.
- You cannot operate any vehicle carrying hazardous materials.
- You cannot drive in any DMV-designated road-test area (except during your actual road test).
- Prohibited roads include:
- Any street within a New York City park
- Any Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority bridge or tunnel in NYC
- Specific Westchester County parkways: Hutchinson River, Cross County, Saw Mill River, and Taconic State
Seat-belt rule: New York law requires safety restraints for all. When a Class DJ learner is driving, every passenger must be properly restrained.
Special Restrictions for Class DJ & MJ Junior Learner Permits
Junior permits (for drivers under 18) have extra passenger and time-of-day limits outlined clearly in MV-500H:
- Passenger limit: No more than 1 passenger under age 21 who is not an immediate family member (exception if the supervising driver is a parent, guardian, driver-ed teacher, or driving-school instructor).
- Front seat: Only the supervising driver may sit in the front seat; no other passengers allowed.
- All passengers must use seat belts or approved child restraints.
Regional Driving Restrictions for Junior Permits (5 AM–9 PM & 9 PM–5 AM)
MV-500H includes this official table that every junior permit holder must memorize:
| Region | 5 AM – 9 PM | 9 PM – 5 AM |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (all 5 boroughs) | Dual-control vehicle + accompanied by parent/guardian/in-loco-parentis/driver-ed teacher/driving instructor (21+, valid license) | NO DRIVING ALLOWED under any circumstances |
| Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk) | Accompanied by parent/guardian/in-loco-parentis/driver-ed teacher/driving instructor (21+, valid license) | NO DRIVING ALLOWED under any circumstances |
| Upstate NY (all other counties) | Accompanied by any person 21+ with valid license for the vehicle | Accompanied by parent/guardian/in-loco-parentis/driver-ed teacher/driving instructor (21+) |
These rules are cross-referenced on the current NY DMV learner-permit restrictions page and remain in effect.
How to Schedule Your Road Test (Direct from MV-500H)?
- Visit dmv.ny.gov/roadtest or call the automated system: 1-518-402-2100.
- Provide your 9-digit permit ID and your 5-hour Pre-Licensing Course completion number.
- For CDL applicants, also provide the skills-test fee receipt.
Pro tip: Book early—appointments fill quickly, and MV-500H reminds you to bring all required documents.
Supervised Driving Hours & MV-262 Certification (Class DJ/MJ Only)
Before your road test, junior permit holders must complete:
- Minimum 50 hours of supervised practice
- At least 15 hours after sunset
Bring the completed MV-262 (Certification of Supervised Driving) form signed by your parent/guardian to the road test. Download MV-262 free at dmv.ny.gov or any DMV office.
Important Note for Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Holders
MV-500H includes a dedicated section: Effective February 7, 2022, first-time CDL or certain endorsement applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before the road test. Check the FMCSA Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov and review the ELDT FAQ on the DMV site.
Step-by-Step: How to Download & Use the Official MV-500H PDF?
- Go directly to the trusted NY DMV forms page.
- Click or search for MV-500H.
- Download the free PDF instantly: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv500h.pdf
- Print it, share with parents/instructors, and keep a copy in your glovebox during practice drives.
This is the most current official version referenced across all NY DMV learner-permit resources in 2026.
Additional Trusted NY DMV Resources (2026)
- Full Learner Permit page: dmv.ny.gov/learner-permit
- Road-test scheduling: dmv.ny.gov/roadtest
- Driver’s Manual chapter on licenses (references MV-500H)
- Learner Permit Restrictions page: dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/learner-permit-restrictions
Final Tips to Pass Your Permit & Road Test Safely
Always carry your printed MV-500H PDF summary during practice. Review the regional table weekly. Complete your 5-hour course and 50 hours logged driving on time. Following these rules not only keeps you legal—it dramatically improves your chances of passing the road test on the first try and starting your driving journey safely.
Download MV-500H now → https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv500h.pdf
Bookmark this page and share with every new driver in New York. Safe driving starts with knowing the rules in the official MV-500H form!
All information sourced directly from the official NY DMV website and MV-500H PDF (verified current as of March 2026).