New Jersey learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where New Jersey doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
16 years
To pass the knowledge test
40 of 50 correct (80%)
Fees
$10 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
50 questionsSources 123
Passing score
40 of 50 correct (80%)Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$10 totalBoth the student learner's permit (age 16, through a driving school) and the examination permit (age 17+) cost $10; there is no separate knowledge-test fee.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
16 years16 for a Special Learner Permit (must be enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel driver training course; permit purchased by the instructor). Examination Permit (no driver-ed requirement) at 17. Adults 21+ follow a shorter track (3 months supervised).Sources 154
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 154
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 154
Test languages
14 languagesEnglish, American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hindi, Albanian, SpanishSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
MVC first-license page: 'IF YOU FAIL, you can re-test in 7 days' (knowledge test)No published limit on number of attempts found.Sources 123
Vision standard
20/50 with or without corrective lenses (basic license)if sight in one eye only, that eye must meet 20/50 and physician documentation is required. CDL applicants: 20/40 in both eyes and must distinguish red, green and amber.Sources 154

From permit to full license

  • GDL (N.J.S.A. 39:3-13 et seq.): Special Learner Permit at 16 with driver ed, or Examination Permit at 17; pass knowledge and vision tests; practice supervised at least 6 months and log 50 hours incl. 10 at night (certified by parent/guardian on form BA-CSD); road test at 17+; Probationary License for at least 1 year with restrictions (no driving 11:01 p.m.-5:00 a.m., one additional passenger unless with parent/guardian, no wireless devices, red GDL decals required for under-21); Basic Driver License at 18 after one year of unsupervised probationary driving.
  • Applicants 21+ must practice 3 months with an examination permit.
  • Permit holders have 2 years to complete steps through the probationary license.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website: nj.gov.

Sources

  1. nj.gov: drivermanual
  2. nj.gov: knowledgetest
  3. nj.gov: licfees
  4. nj.gov: youngadult
  5. nj.gov: firstlic
  6. nj.gov: gdlsafety

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