Teens, obtaining a learner’s permit so you can cruise downtown just became easier this year!

Gone are the days of stressing over wait times and long lines. Starting this fall, the learner’s permit test will be online to ensure safety and comfort for applicants.

“Waiting in that line for two hours was the most uncomfortable time I ever had,” said Celeste Morales, a senior.

Ariyon Lamb, another senior, agreed that long lines place undue hardships due to wasted time, especially if one is relying on parents for a ride.

“I can’t wait in the long lines…my dad has to get back to work!” said Ariyon Lamb, another senior.

This decision was made by the Governor Andrew Cuomo after the rising in cases of COVID-19 in the state. Offering these services online will lessen the congestion in the DMV offices and therefore decrease the spread of COVID-19.

“As the last six months have demonstrated, we need to continue reimagining how to provide essential government services safely, securely and efficiently in the midst of this pandemic,” Governor Cuomo said in an article written by the ny.gov.

The written portion of the test will now contain 50 questions and it will take around 45 to 60 minutes to complete the whole exam. When asked how many questions must be answered correctly to pass the test, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles did not have an answer. The original test taken in person contained only 20 questions, and applicants had to answer 14 of them correctly to pass.

“This will make everything so much quicker and safer,” said Jayme Saravia, a senior.

The applicants who pass the exam will be sent an email with instructions to follow up and make a reservation at the DMV to complete the remaining steps to receive the drivers permit. Those applicants who are under 18 years old will still have to wait 6 months before scheduling a road test.

A variety of other DMV services are also now available online. These include license registration for those living in New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Albany, and Onondaga counties.

To find out more about what Governor Cuomo has to say about the pandemic affecting DMV appointments and services you can visit the link https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-dmv-expand-online-services .You can also contact the DMV by phone at +1-800-698-293 regarding anymore questions.