New York 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course 

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that drivers with learner’s permits complete a driver’s education course before they schedule their road test and ultimately earn their license. AAA Hudson Valley offers a five-hour pre-licensing course NY drivers can take to fulfill this requirement. The pre-licensing course is open to anyone holding a NY state picture permit, although AAA members receive a discount on the cost of registration. The member discount is also available for minors who have parents or guardians who are AAA members

The 5-hour pre-licensing course takes place in person at our AAA Hudson Valley main office, 618 Delaware Ave, Albany and is open to anyone with a NY picture permit. AAA members and teenage drivers who have guardians with AAA memberships can save on the registration fee. Use the form below or contact our office to register for the next course.  5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Details 

5-Hour Pre-Licensing Schedule

• Saturday, May 11, 2024: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Sunday, June 09, 2024: 10:00 AM.-3:30 PM
• Saturday, July 13, 2024: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

$45.00 Members     $50.00 Nonmembers

Payment is due at the time of class registration. You will need your permit information to register. Please fill out registration form exactly as it is on your permit.

5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course FAQs 

New drivers may have questions about what they can expect to learn in a pre-licensing driver’s course. Some of the most commonly asked questions we hear when registering new students for this course include the following:  

What Topics Does the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Cover? 

According to the DMV, the 5-hour course NY drivers are required to take must cover topics that include:  

• Highway driving 
• Safe driving habits and skills 
• Risk-assessment, feelings, and attitudes during driving 
• Alcohol, drugs, and driving impairment 

It is important to note that the required pre-licensing course does not include hands-on driving instruction and takes place entirely in the classroom. 

Who Needs to Take the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course? 

Any driver in New York who has a learner’s permit must take a pre-licensing course. This requirement is met by the five-hour course offered at AAA Hudson Valley as well as other DMV-approved vendors. Some drivers may choose to complete a driver’s education course at the high school or college level to fulfill this requirement.  

When is the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Available? 

AAA Hudson Valley offers the pre-licensing course once a month throughout the year. The course can typically be completed in one day, on a Saturday or Sunday.  

What Do I Need to Bring to the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course? 

The AAA driver’s course takes place entirely in the classroom. No special materials or prior knowledge are required, but a notebook and pen may be helpful for taking notes. Please bring your learner’s permit along with any questions you may have. Be sure to write down your questions, so you don’t forget them.  

How Long Is the 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course Valid? 

Anyone who successfully completes the AAA pre-licensing course will receive a certificate stating that they have met this requirement. The certificate each graduate receives is valid for one year, which means that the driver must complete their road test and become licensed within a year of completing the course. If your certificate expires before your road test, you may be required to take the course again.  

Duplicate MV278 – 5-Hr Certificates

If you lose your certificate and need a duplicate, there is a $10.00 fee. To obtain one call 518-426-1000, ext. 2450.