New Jersey Driver Education

For drivers ages 16 and up, MVC offers a three-phase process:

Student learner's permit (minimum six months of supervised driving)

Provisional license (minimum one year of restricted but unsupervised driving)

Basic driver license (must be 18 years old)

Get a student learner's permit

Visit an MVC Agency with a licensed driving instructor

Pass the knowledge test. You can study by using the new online driver manual or reading MVC's driver manual

Pass the vision test

Bring a primary 4-point ID (civil birth certificate, US Passport, US Department of State birth certificate, US adoption papers, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship)
Show proof of enrollment in a driver training course

Present a signed letter with parental or guardian consent

Pay fee

Permits are valid for two years and must be carried when operating a vehicle

If your permit is lost or stolen, you must request a duplicate. Duplicates must be obtained by the driving school

Practice supervised driving for at least six months
Please observe the following restrictions during the supervised driving period:

No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m.

You must be accompanied by an Adult Supervising Driver (at least 21 years old and licensed to drive for at least 3 years) in the front seat

Passengers must be from your household. Only one additional person from outside your household is allowed

You can't use cell phones, hand held video games or any other hand held electronic device

Seat belts must be worn at all times

See GDL Exemptions for hours-related exemptions for employment or religious reasons

Get a provisional license

You must be at least 17 years of age

Complete the supervised driving period

Pass the 6 Point ID Verification

Pass MVC's road test

You must return after one year from date of issue to get a basic driver license

Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year
You must observe the following requirements and restrictions while driving with a provisional license:

No driving between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. See GDL Exemptions for exceptions due to employment or religious reasons

Passengers must be from your household. Only one additional person from outside your household is allowed in the vehicle

You can't use cell phones, hand held video games or any other hand held electronic device

Seat belts must be worn at all times

See GDL Exemptions for hours-related exemptions for employment or religious reasons

Get a basic driver license

You must be at least 18 years old

Complete the unsupervised driving period

Go to any MVC Agency with your provisional license and other documents to pass the 6 Point ID Verification

New Jersey is a participant in the popular graduated licensing program. This series was designed with the intentions of helping teens learn small responsibilities before they take on large ones, in order to reduce the numbers of young people who have either had an accident or are injured or killed in one (or all three). Pairing of this system with a state-approved driver's education program helps it to work successfully.

Drivers must be both 16 and enrolled in a driver's education course or at least a minimum of 17 years old before they can get their learner's permit. On this note, driver's education is not required if the teenager is willing to wait until they are 17 years old before driving. Learning drivers may only drive under the supervision of a licensed adult, and those under the age of 18 cannot use cell phones unless it is an emergency. Additionally, time restrictions apply and those driving with a learner's permit must wear a seat belt at all times (though this should be done no matter how old you are).

While New Jersey does not have as many regulations as many states in the United States, New Jersey still cares about its teen drivers. Driver's education courses are not required for those over 16, but are highly recommended as a means of gaining valuable training and insight for those wishing to become more responsible members of the driving community and those wishing to protect passengers riding with them and in other vehicles around them.