New Jersey Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your New Jersey learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official MVC pages and linked to the source.
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: NJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult) ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The New Jersey licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what MVC itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where MVC publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age16New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Student learner permit (Early Bird route) at 16 with enrollment in driver education / licensed driving school; examination permit route starts at 17
2Documents
MVC lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Proof of identity (6 Points of ID)
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
New Jersey's own published steps name a training requirement:
- Enroll in driver education / a licensed driving school and get the student learner permit at 16 ($10)
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Student learner's permit $10; examination permit (auto) also $10
What the permit itself takes, once you pass:
- Supervised driving certification (Form BA-CSD), completed by a parent/guardian or supervising driver documenting the required practice hours
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeMVC does not publish a verified retake waitNew JerseyMVCNJ official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
New Jersey MVC's official sample-test page states the test has 50 questions and requires 40 correct answers. No official time limit was substantiated.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityMVC does not publish a verified validity periodNew JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Restrictions New Jersey puts on a new driver:
- Decal: Must display GDL decals on license plates
- Curfew: No driving 11:01 p.m.–5:00 a.m. (employment/religious exemptions available)
- Passenger rule: Only one additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Cell phone: Cell phone use prohibited
New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 2150 hours (10 at night)New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Required for permits issued on/after Feb 1 2025 to under-21 drivers; 10 hours during darkness; certified on form BA-CSD. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 21 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsNew JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
At least 6 months of supervised practice after passing the knowledge test
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age17New JerseyMVCNJ MVC — First Driver License (Young Adult)Checked 2026-07-13Official source
Probationary license with GDL restrictions; basic license at 18
How to get your permit in New Jersey
- Enroll in driver education / a licensed driving school and get the student learner permit at 16 ($10)
- Pass the knowledge test, then practice supervised for at least 6 months
- Log 50 practice hours including 10 during darkness (form BA-CSD)
- Pass the road test for the probationary license (decals, curfew, one-passenger limit for 1 year)
- Get the basic license ($24) at 18 after a year of probationary driving
What is different about New Jersey
Rules that are set by New Jersey rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Minimum permit age: 16 here. The most common minimum permit age is 15 (25 of 50 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in New Jersey?
You can get a learner's permit in New Jersey at 16. Student learner permit (Early Bird route) at 16 with enrollment in driver education / licensed driving school; examination permit route starts at 17.
How much does a New Jersey permit cost?
The New Jersey permit fee is $10. Student learner's permit $10; examination permit (auto) also $10.
How long do you have to hold your permit in New Jersey?
At least 6 months of supervised practice after passing the knowledge test.
How many practice driving hours does New Jersey require?
New Jersey requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 21, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 21 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the New Jersey permit test?
Right here — take a free New Jersey practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
