New Jersey Laws Governing Driver Licenses A motorist who operates a motor vehicle in the State of New Jersey must carry: A valid driver license / permit Valid insurance Vehicle registration Once you have a validated New Jersey driver permit must be accompanied by an appropriately licensed driver ***Supervising Driver Requirements*** Must have a valid NJ Driver s License Must be at least 21 years of age Must have had 3 years driving experience A motorist who changes addresses must report this change to the MVC within one week after moving.
New Jersey Laws Governing Driver Licenses Cont.. A motorist who legally changes their name (marriage, divorce, adoption) must report the change to the MVC within two weeks A motorist with a valid out-of-state license who moves to New Jersey must apply for a New Jersey license within 60 days All applicants for a New Jersey driver license who are under 18 years of age must present a completed consent form signed by a parent or guardian. GDL, special learner and examination permits are valid until all qualifications for a provisional license are met, or for two years, whichever occurs first.
What s On A License Name Address Photo ID Driver License Number Date of Birth Gender Expiration / Issue Date Signature Height Eye Color Class of License State Restrictions These show up in a coded form within your driver s license number Corrective Lenses Prosthetic Devices Mechanical Devices Hearing Impaired Altering a driver license: Possible Suspension of License Fine of up to $1,000 Up to six months imprisonment. Getting a driver license illegally Fine up to $500 Imprisonment of 30 to 90 days.
6 Point ID Verification All applicants for a New Jersey driver license must provide a full name, current address, Social Security number, 6 Points of ID Verification and other documentation that verifies that his/her legal presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. Documents must be in English or have an approved translation Must be ORIGNAL Forms of documentation
Graduated Driver License / GDL Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program: Introduces driving privileges in phases with a period of supervised driving, and extends their practice driving time and requires a minimum age of 18 in order to receive an unrestricted, basic driver license. GDL restrictions placed upon first-time drivers must be strictly adhered to. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $100 or a possible suspension of a motorist s driving privilege
GDL FAQ s Why does New Jersey require the GDL program? Studies show that a young driver's risk of being involved in a car crash is highest within his/her first 12-24 months of driving. An average of 6,000 teens die in car crashes nationally each year. By delaying full driving privileges so that teens can gain driving experience under low-risk conditions, comprehensive GDL programs can reduce these deaths and injuries by approximately 40%. The ultimate goal of the GDL program is to protect the lives of young drivers-and the lives of their passengers and others on the road.
GDL FAQ s What happens if my teen driver commits a traffic offense and receives a ticket while he/she has a GDL license? GDL holders cannot "plea down" to "no point" offenses. If a GDL holder accumulates three or more penalty points, they have to complete a driver improvement program. If they fail to complete this program, or if they accumulate additional points, it will result in suspension and postponement of their eligibility to obtain a probationary (if in the permit phase) or basic license (if in the probationary phase). In addition, violations may incur legal fees and/or higher insurance rates. This can cost thousands of dollars. GDL holders must obey all traffic rules and regulations.
The Early Bird Road Step 1: Get a Special Learner Permit Must be at least 16 years old Must have signed parent or guardian consent Must be enrolled in approved behind-the-wheel driver training driving school An approved instructor must purchase the permit Must pass MVC s Knowledge and Vision tests MVC will validate Special Learner Permits ONLY after training course completion Step 2: Practice with an Adult Supervising Driver Must observe special learner permit driving restrictions Must practice at least six months with approved supervising driver Step 3: Get a Probationary License Complete Six months of supervised driving without any suspensions or postponements Must pass MVC s Road Test Must be at least 17 years old Step 4: With a Probationary Driver License Unsupervised driving for at least One year Must observe probationary driver license restrictions***** Step 5: Get the Basic Driver License Must be at least 18 years old Must have completed one year of unsupervised driving with probationary driver license restrictions Must pay required fee***
The Young Adult Road Step 1: Get an Examination Permit Must pass MVC s knowledge and vision test Must be at least 17 years old Must pay required fee Must obtain parent or guardian consent if you are under 18 years of age Step 2: Practice Supervised Driving Must practice with an adult supervising driver*** Must practice at least Six months Must observe examination-permit driving restrictions Step 3: Get a Probationary License Must have completed Six months of supervised driving without any suspensions or postponements Must pass MVC s Road test Step 4: Practice Unsupervised Driving Practice Unsupervised driving for at least One year Must follow probationary driver license restrictions Step 5: Get the Basic Driver License Must be at least 18 years old Must have completed one year of unsupervised driving Must pay required fee
GDL Restrictions No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. No using hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other electronic devices. Permit holder must be accompanied in the front seat by an adult supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a valid New Jersey driver license and has a minimum of three years driving experience. Passengers are limited to any parent, guardian or dependant of the special permit holder and one additional passenger. Permit holder and ALL passengers must wear seat belts. Must display decals on license plates.
Basic Automobile License Class D Expiration: 4 Years Minimum Age: 18 (or 16 for permit) Permit Fee: $10 / Decal: $4 Photo License Fee: $24 Tests Required: Knowledge, Vision, Road (KVR)
Vision Test Test Requirements 20/50 vision with or without corrective lenses. Knowledge Test The knowledge test consists of 50 questions. Minimum requirements: 80 percent, or 40 correct answers out of 50 questions Applicants must provide their own vehicle for the road test. Vehicle requirements: Valid inspection sticker Valid registration document Valid insurance ID card Vehicle must be in proper working order (Windshield wipers, lights, horn, signals)
Elements of the road test The examiner may test you on the following items: Driving in reverse Following other vehicles Nearing corners, intersections Parking (parallel) Sitting properly Starting a vehicle Steering properly Stopping at signs Stopping smoothly Turning Turning around Using the horn Yielding right-of-way If an applicant fails the road test, he/she must wait at least two weeks before taking the test again. After several failures, the MVC may require an applicant to wait six months before retaking the road test.
ROAD TEST CHECKLIST 6 Points of ID Validated permit Valid inspection sticker, valid registration and valid insurance ID 2 red GDL decals Access to foot or emergency brake All signals, brake lights and windshield wipers on vehicle for test must be in working order Applicant must be accompanied by a licensed driver
Reasons for Failure due to Improper Vehicle Improper, expired or no inspection sticker Lack of examiner access to foot brake or parking brake Any defect or condition that affects the safe operation of the test vehicle, such as but not limited to: Poor brakes Parking brake doesn t work Unsafe tires (smooth, cut, badly worn) Vehicle interior is not in reasonably clean condition Vehicle failed inspection, and motorist does not bring the Vehicle Inspection Report issued by the inspection station to road test area Vehicle not equipped with radial tires or snow tires or chains when road is snow covered Fast engine idle Missing seat belts
Center Console Pictures Center Console with accessible hand brake. Inaccessible emergency parking brake
Divided Highway Signal Ahead Slippery When Wet Merge Ahead Pedestrian Crossing Ahead