Failed my NY DMV written test twice — what am I missing? — Forums

Brian Y.OP

May 27, 2026

So embarrassing to admit but I've now failed the NY DMV written test twice and I'm honestly starting to panic. I've been studying the official driver's manual but I keep scoring in the 70s on practice tests when I need an 80% to pass. The sign questions trip me up every single time — I'll think I know what a pennant-shaped sign means and then blank out completely at the DMV office.

I've been using a few different NY DMV practice test sites but I'm not sure which ones actually match the real questions. My cousin passed on her first try and said she spent about 10 hours total studying, but I'm already way past that. Are there specific topics I should focus on? The road markings and right-of-way scenarios are killing me.

Taking it again in two weeks. Would really appreciate any study guide recommendations or exam tips from people who've been through this recently in New York specifically.

Chloe W.

May 28, 2026

Two weeks is plenty of time, seriously don't stress. I crammed for four days straight before mine and passed with a 90. Just make sure you're doing NY-specific practice tests, not generic ones — some sites use questions from other states and it'll throw you off on the speed limit defaults and specific New York laws.

Amanda H.

May 28, 2026

I failed once too before finally passing — the official manual is honestly not enough on its own. What helped me was doing timed practice tests back to back until I was consistently hitting 90% or higher. The real exam throws curveball phrasing at you, so getting used to tricky wording is huge. Focus hard on stopping distances, right-of-way at intersections, and pavement markings. Those three topics alone cover probably a third of the questions I saw.

rachel_s

May 28, 2026

The sign section got me too at first. One thing that really clicked for me was grouping signs by shape AND color together rather than trying to memorize each one individually. Pentagons are school zones, pentagons are always school zones, you know? Also I'd recommend doing at least 200 practice questions before you go back. Not 50, not 100 — 200 minimum. By that point the patterns just start sticking naturally. What county are you testing in? Some locations apparently have slightly different wait times and environments.

Failed my NY DMV written test twice — what am I missing?

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