If you have a Class DJ junior license and you complete a driver education course, you can change your Class DJ junior license to a Class D senior license when you are 17 years old.
To change the class of your driver license you must have a MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate.
Before Taking Road Test
If you have not taken your road test yet, give your MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate to the DMV examiner after your road test. The DMV will update your driver record and will automatically issue a Class D photo driver license on your 17th birthday. You will receive the new driver license in the mail within 2 weeks of your 17th birthday. There is no fee when you change the class of your driver license through this method. Your driver license record will show that you are a Class D driver. You do not need to have your Class D document to drive as a senior license driver. You can drive on your 17th birthday.
After Taking Road Test
If you did not have your MV-285 Driver Education Completion Certificate when taking your road test, you must go to a DMV office to change your license class. Bring your class DJ driver license and the MV-285 to a DMV office on your 17th birthday or any following day. Complete form MV-44, and pay the $12.50 fee. You will receive a temporary Class D driver license, without a photo, at the office. The DMV will then mail your Class D photo driver license in approximately two weeks.
Link to MV-44: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv44.pdf