What to Bring to Your Road Test in Brooklyn (2025 Guide)

Preparing for your New York road test is easier than it seems – as long as you bring the right documents and follow the basic DMV rules. Every week we see students who drive well, but fail the exam before it even starts because they forgot one document or broke a simple technical requirement.

This short guide gives you the same checklist Amethyst Driving School instructors use to prepare students for their road test in Brooklyn.

Required Documents (Must-Have)

Before you leave home, make sure you have:

1. Learner Permit (original, not a photo)
You must bring the physical, original permit. A picture on your phone is not accepted.

2. Pre-Licensing Course Certificate – MV-278
This is your 5-hour class certificate. It is usually a paper form and is valid for one year.

If you completed a digital pre-licensing course and received an electronic certificate (MV-278.1), it is stored in the DMV system automatically. In that case you usually don’t need to bring paper, but keep your email confirmation just in case.

3. Appointment Confirmation
Have your road test confirmation email or screenshot from your DMV account. Examiners don’t always ask for it, but it’s safer to have it with you.

Vehicle Requirements

(If you use an Amethyst Driving School car, this is already taken care of.)

When you use an Amethyst Driving School vehicle, we handle all the technical requirements:

• valid insurance
• valid inspection
• valid registration
• dual controls
• a professional instructor next to you

If you plan to use a private car, make sure the vehicle meets all DMV rules.

1. License plates

The car must have valid front and rear plates installed. Temporary cardboard plates can be a problem – check DMV rules before using them.

2. Valid inspection

The inspection sticker on the windshield cannot be expired. If it is expired, the examiner can cancel your test immediately.

3. Valid registration

The registration sticker must also be current. Bring the registration document with you in the car.

4. No warning lights

Warning lights such as “Check Engine”, brake system or ABS can cause the examiner to refuse the vehicle. A small tire pressure light is usually acceptable, but anything that looks serious is a risk.

5. Lights and signals

Before you leave home, quickly check:

• headlights
• brake lights
• left and right turn signals
• hazard lights

If something doesn’t work, fix it before the road test.

Personal Items to Bring

Besides documents, it’s good to bring:

• Glasses or contact lenses (if your permit requires corrective lenses)
• A warm jacket in winter – you may wait outside
• A bottle of water
• Your phone (but it must stay silent and away during the test)

What Not to Bring

To avoid problems, do not rely on:

• Copies or photos of documents instead of originals
• A picture of your learner permit on your phone
• A very dirty car with blocked mirrors or windows
• Arriving late – if your exam is at 10:30, plan to be there around 10:10

Instructor Tips from Amethyst Driving School

1. Arrive 15–20 minutes early
This gives you time to find your examiner, breathe and get used to the surroundings.

2. Don’t try to “guess” what the examiner wants
Just drive calmly and safely: full stops, clear signals, proper observation and smooth control.

3. Take a warm-up lesson if you feel nervous
A 45–60 minute lesson right before the test can dramatically reduce stress and help you remember all small details.

4. Remember that parallel parking is important, but not everything
Students often focus only on parking and forget about basic observation, speed control and stop signs. Examiners grade the whole drive.

Quick Checklist (Save or Print)

Documents

• ✅ Learner Permit (original)
• ✅ Pre-Licensing Certificate MV-278 or digital MV-278.1
• ✅ Road test appointment confirmation

Vehicle

• ✅ Front and rear plates installed
• ✅ Valid inspection
• ✅ Valid registration
• ✅ No serious warning lights
• ✅ All lights and signals working

Personal

• ✅ Glasses/contacts (if required)
• ✅ Water and weather-appropriate clothing
• ✅ Calm mindset and positive attitude

Final Thoughts

When you know exactly what to bring, the road test becomes much less stressful. Your job on exam day is simple: arrive prepared, follow the rules you learned in class and drive the way you practice with your instructor.

If you’re not sure whether you’re ready, a short evaluation lesson can help you understand what to improve before the big day.