We contacted the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if we could get an answer about who can drive in New York City and at what age. The representative that responded to us stated that the minimum driving age in NYS is 16. The graduated licensing law did not change the minimum driving age.

The NYS graduated licensing law however has changed the restrictions on drivers with learner permits and drivers under the age of 18 (junior drivers). The DMV web site has information about these restrictions. The representative noted that you should read their online brochure titled "New York's New Driver Program: Learner Permits and Junior Licenses."

Since you are under 18 it would appear that your license is a full-use junior driver license (DJ). According to New York's brochure for new drivers there are parts of New York in which you can drive alone when you have a junior license (not a junior permit) while there are still some areas of the state in which you cannot yet drive alone.

With a limited junior license you may not drive alone in New York City (the 5 boroughs) or in Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) and Westchester, Rockland and Putnam.

With a full junior license you are still not allowed to drive at all alone in the 5 boroughs that make up New York City. In Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk) during the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM you may drive alone only directly between your home and employment, a work-study program, a course at a college, university, or registered evening high school, a driver education course, or while engaged in farm employment.

Thus from this new driver booklet that the NYS DMV puts out it appears you cannot drive alone in NYC with a full junior license. Since the first representative for the NYS DMV did not state this specifically we spoke to a second one who did say clearly that a person with a full junior driver's license is not allowed to drive in New York City (5 boroughs). This rep noted that the New York State Vehicle and Traffic (VAT) Law states that a junior license (class DJ) cannot be used to drive in New York City at all.

The relevant section of the VAT is 501 paragraph 3c. Here it gives restrictions on use of class DJ and class MJ licenses. A class DJ or class MJ license shall permit the holder to operate a vehicle in accordance with the following restrictions:

"(c) in the city of New York, driving shall be prohibited."

The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles can give you more specific information on where you can drive with your license type at age 17 and what restrictions you continue to have on you until you turn 18.