New York has five main driver license types, each tied to the vehicle you drive and your age

New York issues five different classes of driver licenses: Class D, Class DJ, Class E, Class M, and Class MJ. The class you hold determines what you're legally allowed to drive on public roads. Class D is the standard license for cars and small trucks. Class E covers commercial vehicles but requires additional testing and medical certification. Class M is for motorcycles. The DJ and MJ versions are junior licenses for drivers under 18, with restrictions that ease as you age.

Your license class is printed on the front of your card and also appears in the barcode. When you renew or upgrade, the DMV will issue a new card reflecting your new class. You cannot legally drive a vehicle that requires a higher class than the one you hold — doing so is a traffic violation that can result in fines and points on your record.

Key Takeaways

  • Class D is the standard license for passenger cars, pickup trucks under 26,001 pounds, and most vehicles a typical driver needs.
  • Class E is required to operate commercial trucks and buses, and demands a written test, road test, and medical examination that Class D does not.
  • Class M covers motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and requires a separate road test on a motorcycle.
  • Class DJ and MJ are junior licenses for drivers under 18, with nighttime and passenger restrictions that lift at age 17 or 18 depending on the class.
  • You can hold multiple license classes at once — for example, both Class D and Class M if you drive both cars and motorcycles.

Class D: The standard passenger vehicle license

Class D is what most people think of as a regular driver license. It allows you to operate passenger cars, pickup trucks weighing 26,000 pounds or less, and vans designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers. If you drive a personal vehicle to work or for errands, you hold a Class D license.

To get a Class D license in New York, you must be at least 16 years old, pass a written knowledge test, pass a road test in a vehicle, and provide proof of identity and residency. If you are under 18, you receive a Class DJ license instead, which carries restrictions until you turn 18 or 19 depending on when you pass your road test.

A Class D license is valid for eight years if you are under 62, and five years if you are 62 or older. You renew it by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office, and you do not need to retake the road test unless your license was suspended or revoked.

Class E: The commercial truck and bus license

Class E is required to drive most commercial vehicles — trucks over 26,000 pounds, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials. If your job involves operating these vehicles, you need a Class E license.

Getting a Class E license is more involved than getting a Class D. You must pass a written test specific to commercial driving, pass a road test in a commercial vehicle, and pass a medical examination by a certified examiner. The medical exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and other factors the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires. You must also provide a valid Class D license before you can test for Class E.

Class E licenses are valid for four years, and you must renew your medical certification every two years. Some commercial drivers also need endorsements — additional qualifications for carrying passengers (P endorsement), hazardous materials (H endorsement), or operating double trailers (T endorsement). Each endorsement requires its own written test.

Class M: The motorcycle license

Class M allows you to operate motorcycles and motorized bicycles on public roads in New York. You cannot legally ride a motorcycle with only a Class D license, even if you hold a valid driver license for cars.

To get a Class M license, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a written test on motorcycle safety and traffic laws. You must also pass a road test on an actual motorcycle — the DMV will not accept a car road test. Many people take a motorcycle safety course through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or a New York-approved program, which can waive the road test requirement if you pass the course exam.

You can add a Class M endorsement to an existing Class D license, or hold Class M as your primary license. Like Class D, a Class M license is valid for eight years if you are under 62, and five years if you are 62 or older.

Class DJ and MJ: Junior licenses for drivers under 18

Class DJ is the junior version of Class D, issued to drivers aged 16 and 17. Class MJ is the junior version of Class M, issued to motorcycle riders aged 16 and 17. Both come with restrictions that do not explore to adult licenses.

A Class DJ license restricts nighttime driving and passenger limits. Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., you cannot drive except to school, work, a medical appointment, or an emergency — and you cannot carry passengers under 20 years old during these hours. During daytime hours, you can carry up to three passengers under 20. These restrictions lift when you turn 18, at which point your license automatically converts to Class D.

A Class MJ license has similar restrictions: no nighttime riding between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. except for the same exceptions, and no passengers under 20 during restricted hours. The MJ restrictions lift when you turn 18, and your license converts to Class M.

If you are 17 and have held a junior license for at least six months without a suspension or revocation, you can request early conversion to the adult version (Class D or M) by visiting a DMV office. This removes the restrictions when ready rather than waiting until your birthday.

How to upgrade or change your license class

If you already hold a Class D license and want to add a Class M (motorcycle), you visit a DMV office, pay the fee, pass the written test, and pass the road test on a motorcycle. You do not need to retake the Class D test. Your new license will show both Class D and Class M.

If you hold a Class D and want to upgrade to Class E (commercial), you must first obtain a valid medical certificate from a certified examiner, then pass the Class E written test and road test in a commercial vehicle. You keep your Class D and add Class E to your license.

If you are 18 and hold a Class DJ license, your license automatically converts to Class D on your birthday. You do not need to visit the DMV unless you want to add another class or renew early. If you are 17 and want to convert early, bring your junior license to a DMV office and request conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a commercial truck with a Class D license?

No. Driving a commercial truck over 26,000 pounds with only a Class D license is a violation. You must hold a Class E license. The only exception is if the truck is registered as a personal vehicle and weighs 26,000 pounds or less — in that case, Class D is sufficient.

What happens if I get caught driving a motorcycle without a Class M?

You can be cited for operating a vehicle without the proper license class. This results in a fine, points on your driving record, and possible license suspension. It is treated as a traffic violation, not a criminal offense, but it affects your insurance rates and driving history.

Do I need to retake the road test to upgrade from Class DJ to Class D?

No. When you turn 18, your Class DJ automatically converts to Class D without any test or visit to the DMV. If you want to convert early at age 17, you still do not need a new road test — you just need to visit a DMV office with your junior license and request conversion.

Can I hold both Class D and Class E at the same time?

Yes. You can hold multiple license classes on one card. Many people hold both Class D and Class E if they drive personal vehicles and also operate commercial trucks for work. Each class has its own renewal timeline and requirements.

What is the difference between Class M and a motorcycle endorsement?

Class M is a full license class that allows you to operate motorcycles as your primary driving privilege. A motorcycle endorsement (also called a Class M endorsement) is added to a Class D license and gives you the same right to ride motorcycles. The practical result is the same — you can legally ride — but the endorsement is technically an addition to Class D rather than a separate class.