According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the minimum driving age in New York State is 16. You cannot drive in NYS if you are under the age of 16. If you have a learner's permit or driver's license from another state, you are not exempt from this NY rule.
You must be 16 years of age or older to apply for a learner's permit in NYS. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must sign the consent section of your driver license application. A junior license is issued to drivers under the age of 18 and has restrictions.
To acquire a full Class D operator's license you must be 18 years of age or older or age 17 and have taken a driver education. So, yes to obtain a full NYS driver's license at age 17 you must take a state approved driver education course.
If you are age 17, you are eligible for a senior driver license (Class D or M) if you have a junior driver license or limited junior driver license and have completed a state-approved high school or college driver education course. To convert your junior license to a senior license, bring your junior license and the (MV-285) that you received from your instructor to any motor vehicle office.
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You must surrender your certificate and junior license to receive the senior license. If you do not convert your junior license to a senior license, you are subject to the restrictions for junior drivers until you are age 18, even if you carry the completion certificate with you. You may also give your certificate with your junior permit to the license examiner at your road test. You will automatically receive a senior license when you are eligible.
If you do not have an MV-285, Student Certificate of Completion, the DMV automatically changes your driver license from Class DJ to Class D on your 18th birthday. The DMV automatically mails you a new driver license that indicates "Class D". You will not get this document faster if you visit a DMV office.
If you have obtained your NYS driver's license, follow this link for a quote on NYS auto insurance. | 
