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New Jersey

Are you ready for your New Jersey driver’s license? No? You’ll need practice tests like the New Jersey teen permit test and the New Jersey driver’s license renewal test. These tests prepare you for the exam that is administered by the New Jersey MVC.

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New Jersey MVC Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your New Jersey License
  • Preparing For Your NJ Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your NJ Permit Test
  • Renewing Your NJ License
  • Taking Your NJ Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your NJ Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to New Jersey or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. If you're under 18 and driving on a student learner's permit or examination permit, you're required to have a licensed parent or legal guardian accompanying you at all times.

If you're driving on your probationary license, you can drive on your own, but your only passengers can be your parents, legal guardians or dependents.

If you're under 18, you'll also need to put a reflectorized license plate decal on your car, and you will not be allowed to drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m.

What happens after I pass my NJ road test?

After you pass your New Jersey road test, you'll be granted your probationary license. You'll be required to drive on this license for at least a year before you can upgrade to your full, unrestricted driver's license.

To get your probationary license, you'll need to bring 6 Points of ID and proof of address to the MVC, as well as your stamped permit. You'll also need to fill out some paperwork and pay a fee.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

While driving on an examinator's permit in New Jersey, you may only drive with licensed parents or guardians. These passengers must be at least 21 years old and have had a driver's license for at least 3 years.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No. Your photo will be taken at whichever MVC office you go to when you're issued your permit.

Once I get my NJ permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your New Jersey driver's permit, you'll only be allowed to drive under supervision of a licensed parent or guardian.

This person must also be at least 21 years old and have had their license for at least 3 years.

Do I need to have car insurance to drive in New Jersey?

Yes. You need car insurance to legally drive anywhere in the United States.

What are the auto insurance requirements for NJ drivers?

All vehicles registered in New Jersey are required to have three types of auto insurance: Liability insurance, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Teen Learners Permit

Basic
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Our Test
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Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
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Drivers License Renewal

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Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
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$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
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20
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New to State Drivers

Basic
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Our Test
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Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
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Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

Motorcycle Permit

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State Specific Questions
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$14.95
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1
15

Commercial License

Basic
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State Specific Questions
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unlimited
50
$14.95
unlimited
100
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1
20

How To Get A New Jersey Driver’s License

Driving is undoubtedly one of the biggest freedoms we’re allowed, but with it comes equally great responsibility. In New Jersey, that looks like a number of tests proving both your knowledge and skills behind the wheel before you can legally hit the road.

The process will look different, depending on whether you’re a brand new driver—of any age; a currently-licensed driver from out-of-state; or looking to earn more advanced licenses, including a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or motorcycle license.

But below are the general requirements for earning a driver’s license in New Jersey, no matter who you are—or what you want to drive:

NJ Graduated Driver’s License for New Drivers

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) requires all new drivers in New Jersey to go through a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. This multi-step process includes:

  • Getting your permit.
  • Getting your probationary license.
  • Getting your basic driver’s license.

The specifics will look slightly different, depending on how old you are.

If You’re 16 Years Old

If you’re 16 years old, you may participate in an “Early Bird” driving program by earning a Special Learner’s Permit. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel program.

At this point, you’ll be able to schedule a knowledge test. At this appointment, you’ll have to:

  • Bring in the following documents:
    • A birth certificate, passport, or certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
    • Proof of enrollment in a Driver’s Ed course.
    • Signed letter from a parent/legal guardian giving consent.
    • A completed Form BA-412D.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass the knowledge test.
  • Pay the $10 fee.

Though you’ll only need to be enrolled in a behind-the-wheel program to take the test, you’ll need to complete at least 6 hours of the program—plus pass your knowledge test—in order to get your learner’s permit validated.

Once your permit is validated, you’ll be able to practice supervised driving, with a licensed adult in the car. You’ll have to practice for at least 6 months before you can take your road test.

At your road test appointment, you’ll need to:

If you pass, you’ll be able to get your probationary license by bringing the following to a NJ MVC Licensing Center:

You can drive unsupervised on your probationary license, but must practice for at least 1 year before you can upgrade to a Basic Driver’s License.

One year after passing your road test, you’ll be able to upgrade your license online.

If You’re 17-20 Years Old

If you’re 17-20 years old, you can skip the learner’s permit portion of the process and go straight to your examination permit.

The first step in the process involves scheduling a knowledge test. At this appointment, you’ll need to:

  • Bring:
    •  6 Points of ID documents.
    • A signed letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian, if you’re under 18 years old.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass the knowledge test.
  • Pay the $10 permit fee.

At this point, your permit will be issued. You’ll be required to practice with it for at least 6 months before you can take your road test.

At your road test appointment, you’ll need to:

Once this is complete, you’ll be given your probationary license, which allows you to practice driving alone.

You must drive on your probationary license for at least 1 year before you can upgrade to a Basic Driver’s License. Once a year has passed, you can upgrade your license online.

If You’re 21+

If you’re a new driver age 21 or older, you’ll still need to go through the GDL process, but the experience will be expedited for you.

You can apply for your examination permit right away by scheduling a knowledge test at an eligible NJ MVC office.

At this appointment, you’ll need to:

  • Bring 6 Points of ID documents.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass the knowledge test.
  • Pay the $10 permit fee.

At this point, you’ll be given a permit to practice supervised driving, which allows you to get behind the wheel as long as you’re accompanied by a licensed driver.

You’ll have to practice on your permit for at least 3 months before you can take your driving test.

At your driving test appointment, you must:

You’ll then be given your probationary license, which allows you to drive unsupervised. You’ll need to wait at least 1 year after being issued your probationary license to upgrade to your Basic Driver’s License.

When you’re ready for the upgrade, the process can be completed online.

Transferring an Out-of-State License to New Jersey

If you’re new to New Jersey, you have 60 days after your move to transfer your driver’s license.

Luckily, if you have a valid out-of-state license, this process is pretty simple.

If you’re 21 years old or older, all you’ll have to do is visit a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Licensing Center and bring:

If you are 20 years old or younger and don’t yet have an unrestricted license, you must complete the NJ MVC’s Graduated Driver’s License program.

New Jersey MVC Motorcycle Permit & License Info

New Jersey Motorcycle License Requirements

In New Jersey, you can either add a motorcycle endorsement to your current driver’s license or get your motorcycle license outright. The processes look slightly different:

NJ Motorcycle Endorsements

You can earn your motorcycle endorsement either with or without* completing a Basic Rider Course (BRC).

*Riders under 18 years old are required to complete a course.

Applying With a BRC

If you choose to take the course, the first step toward earning your NJ motorcycle endorsement is passing it.

Once you do, you’ll be given a stamped waiver and completion card. Schedule an appointment at an eligible MVC location and:

  • Bring:
    • The completion card.
    • 6 Points of ID documents.
    • Proof of address.
    • A signed letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian, if you’re under 18 years old.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pay the $5 permit fee.

At this point, you’ll be eligible to have the endorsement added to your license.

Applying Without a BRC

If you choose to skip out on the Basic Rider Course, you can still earn your motorcycle endorsement in New Jersey.

First, you’ll have to schedule an appointment with an eligible MVC office and:

You’ll then be issued a motorcycle permit which will allow you to legally practice ride. (Some restrictions apply. See NJ MVC for details.)
 

You’ll need to practice for at least 20 days before you can take your road test.

Make sure to bring your motorcycle permit to the test. Once you pass—and pay the endorsement fee—you’ll be issued your motorcycle endorsement.

NJ Motorcycle Licenses

If you’re going for a straight-up motorcycle license, the process is a bit more involved.

You’ll have to first earn your NJ motorcycle permit by scheduling an appointment with the MVC and:

  • Passing the knowledge test.
  • Passing a vision test.
  • Paying the $5 permit fee.

You’ll then be issued a motorcycle permit. If you’re under 18 years old, you’ll have to enroll in—and pass—a Basic Rider Course in order to move on. This step is otherwise optional for adults.

Regardless, before you can take your road test, you’ll need to practice on your permit for:

  • At least 6 months, if you’re under 21 years old.
  • At least 3 months, if you’re 21-years-old or older.
  • At least 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 riding hours if you take a BRC.

Once you’re ready, schedule a road test and:

  • Bring:
  • Pass the test.
  • Pay the $24 motorcycle license fee.

You’ll be issued a probationary motorcycle license, which allows you to ride with certain restrictions. (See the NJ MVC for more details.)

You must practice on this for at least 1 year before upgrading to an unrestricted motorcycle license. When you’re ready, you can make the upgrade online.

New Jersey CDL Requirements

New Jersey CDL Requirements

Finally, there’s the New Jersey Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, which allows you to drive larger and more advanced vehicles.

There are several endorsements you can add to this specialized license—including for transporting hazardous materials and driving school buses—but before getting there, you’ll start with your basic CDL.

To be eligible to apply, you must meet several requirements, including:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a valid basic New Jersey driver’s license in good standing.
  • Have at least 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without glasses).
  • Be able to recognize red, green and amber colors.
  • Pass a medical certification from a federally certified medical examiner.

Once that’s all established, you can go about applying for your CDL. While you’ll most likely want to study beforehand, the process officially starts when you schedule an appointment with the NJ Motor Vehicles Commission to take the knowledge test.

At this appointment, you’ll need to:

Once this is complete, you’ll receive your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). You must practice on this permit for at least 14 days before you can take your CDL road test.

At the road test, make sure to bring your CPL, proof of ID and proof of address. Once you pass, you’ll be issued your New Jersey Commercial Driver’s License.

You can then go on to earn additional endorsements on your CDL by passing additional tests. See the NJ MVC website for more details.

 

New Jersey MVC Handbooks

New Jersey CDL Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey CDL Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey CDL Handbook (2023 Edition)
New Jersey Driver's License Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey Driver's License Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey Driver's License Handbook (2023 Edition)
New Jersey Motorcycle Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey Motorcycle Handbook (2023 Edition)

New Jersey Motorcycle Handbook (2023 Edition)