Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in New Jersey

Requirements By Age

The state has set up three paths to take to get your license; your age determines which path you'll need to follow. But, you must be at least 16 years old to start the journey.

Graduated Driver’s License Program

Like almost all states, New Jersey employs a graduated driver licensing program for new drivers to ease them into the responsibilities of driving. The idea behind the program is to ensure that novice drivers gain plenty of experience at each level before moving on to more difficult and dangerous driving situations. This program applies to anyone who has never held a license, regardless of age.

Below are the basic steps to obtaining a regular driver's license, categorized by how old you are when you begin the process:

Age 16

• Enroll in a state-approved driver education program.

• Pass a knowledge test.

• Pass a vision test.

• Get your student learner's permit.

• Practice supervised driving for at least six months.

• Pass the road test.

• Get your probationary license (formerly known as a provisional license).

• Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year.

• Get your basic driver's license.

Ages 17-20

• Pass a knowledge test.

• Pass a vision test.

• Get your examination permit.

• Practice supervised driving for at least six months.

• Pass the road test.

• Get your probationary (formerly known as a provisional license) license.

• Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year.

• Get your basic driver's license.

Ages 21 and Older

• Pass a knowledge test.

• Pass a vision test.

• Get your examination permit.

• Practice supervised driving for at least three months.

• Pass the road test.

• Get your probationary (formerly known as a provisional license) license.

• Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year.

• Get your basic driver's license.

Keep in mind that during the training periods, different driving restrictions apply according to the age category.

Take Drivers Education

Residents

You're only required to take a state-approved driver education program if you start the licensing process at 16. Otherwise, you may skip this step. The courses are available through commercial providers located around the state, as well as through high schools.

New to the State

If you completed a driver education class in your old state, it's not transferable to this state. So, if you're 16, you'll need to take a state-approved driver education program.

Also, if you're younger than 18 years old, you can't transfer your license from your old state to this state; instead, you'll need to go through the state's graduated licensing process.

Take a Drivers Prep Course

Obtaining a Probationary License

To get your probationary license when you're 16, you first need to obtain your student learner's permit by:

1. Studying the driver handbook.
2. Locating a primary 4-point ID (such as a civil birth certificate, U.S. adoption paper, U.S. passport, U.S. Department of State birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization).
3. Locating your driver training course proof of enrollment.
4. Getting a signed letter of consent from your parent or guardian.
5. Taking all the material with you to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agency location, accompanied by your licensed driver instructor.
6. Passing the written and vision tests.
7. Paying your $10 fee.

Student Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions

Before you can apply for your probationary license, you must have your learner's permit for a minimum of six months. Whenever you drive during this period, an individual who is at least 21 years old and has been a licensed driver for a minimum of three years must be sitting next to you. Even so, you can't drive between 11 p.m.- 5 a.m.

Additionally, you're prohibited from using cell phones or any hand-held electronic devices while driving. And, you can only transport guardians, parents and dependents and you cannot drive with another passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

These permits are valid for two years.

Getting Your Probationary License

Once you've had your permit for at least six months and you've turned 17, you may apply for your probationary license by:

1. Making your road test appointment.
2. Going to the MVC road test location with the appropriate driver supervision.
3. Bringing the proper six-point verification.
4. Bringing your permit, and the same identification used to obtain your permit.
5. Bringing a registered vehicle that's currently insured and inspected.
6. Passing the road test.
7. Paying your license fee at a MVC agency.

Obtaining a Probationary License for 17- to 20-Year-Olds

To get your probationary license, you first need to obtain your examination permit by:

1. Studying the driver handbook.
2. Gathering the required six-point verification.
3. Taking the material with you to the MVC agency location.
4. Passing the written and vision tests.
5. Paying your $10 fee.

Examination Permit Driving Restrictions

Before you can apply for your probationary license, you must have your examination permit for a minimum of six months. Your driving restrictions are the same for a student learner permit (see above section).

These permits are valid for two years.

Getting Your Probationary License

You can accomplish this task by simply following the steps outlined above in the "Getting Your Probationary License" section for those with learner permits.

Obtaining a Probationary License for Those 21 Years and Older

To get your probationary license, you first need to obtain your examination permit by:

1. Studying the driver handbook.
2. Gathering the required six-point and address verification documents.
3. Taking the material with you to a MVC agency location.
4. Passing the written and vision tests.
5. Paying your $10 fee.

Examination Permit Driving Restrictions

Before you can apply for your probationary license, you must have your examination permit for a minimum of three months. Whenever you drive during this period, an individual who is at least 21 years old and has been a licensed driver for at least three years must be sitting next to you. Additionally, you can't use cell phones or any hand-held electronic devices while driving. You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. And you can only transport guardians, parents and dependents and you cannot drive with another passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Getting Your Probationary License

You can accomplish this task by simply following the steps mentioned in the "Getting Your Probationary License" section outlined above for those with learner permits.

Applying for Your Basic License: Drivers of All Ages

Once you're received your probationary license, the path to obtaining your basic license is roughly the same, no matter how old you are.

Probationary License Restrictions

You must practice unsupervised driving for at least one year with your probationary license.

During this period, you can't use a cell phone or any sort of hand-held device while driving. If you're younger than 21, you can't drive between midnight- 5 a.m. unless you have proper authorization. And, those in this age range may only transport parents, guardians and dependents, and cannot drive with another passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Graduated Driver License (GDL) Decal

All GDL drivers - learners permit, examination permit, probationary license - under 21 must drive with a red decal affixed to the upper left corner of each license plate (front and back). Any driver caught ignoring this requirement may be fined up to $100.

Getting Your License

After 12 months have passed―and you're at least 18 years old―you may apply for your regular license by:

1. Locating your probationary license.
2. Gathering your six-point verification documents.
3. Going to a MVC agency location.
4. Paying the $24 fee for your four-year license.

NOTE: You may pay any of your licensing fees (including permits) through cash, check, money order, or American Express, MasterCard, or Visa cards.

Failing the Road Tests

Those who don't succeed on their first road test attempt must wait at least two weeks before trying again. After the second attempt, you may be forced to wait six months before being allowed to take the test again.

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