Good Question: When will the DMV offer online permit tests?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A viewer named Alicia had a question about the DMV, so she sent News10NBC’s Brennan Somers this message: Monroe County DMV said permit testing would be available online this fall. It is nearly the end of fall and there have been no updates. When will the Monroe County DMV offer online permit testing?

This issue affects DMV locations in all counties in the state, not just Monroe.

Back in September, the New York State DMV launched a pilot program to give online learner permit tests a trial run. The hope is to cut back on the time people spend at local DMV branches and to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The pilot program offering the written permit test online was only available to select customers who already had reservations to take the test in a DMV office. It’s still not ready to launch for everyone statewide.

A spokesperson sent this response to News10NBC:

The online permit test was offered through a limited pilot program earlier this fall. DMV is evaluating the results of that pilot and expects to offer the online test more widely in the coming weeks.

It’s important to note when taking the 45-minute to hour-long permit test online that you won’t be able to complete all requirements from home.

Those who pass the test will get a follow-up email about making reservations at the DMV to finish the process. It takes about five minutes. But that’s if and when you can find appointments, which are hard to come by right now.

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