State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Driver Manual

Expiration: 4 Years

Minimum Age: 16

Permit Fee: n/a

Photo License Fee: $18

Tests Required: n/a non-tidal waters only

1 Or until a basic license is obtained at 18 years of age.

2 Motorist must return to agency in one year to have license upgraded. Fee is $19.50.

3 CDL applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants under 21 may travel only in

New Jersey (intrastate, not interstate) and may not receive HAZMAT or passenger

endorsements.

4 Out-of-state CDL transfer fees are $10.

5 Class E endorsements are $24; Class M endorsements are $18.

Note: Fees are subject to change. See complete list of fees.

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Per N.J.A.C. 13:21-8.2, in order to obtain licenses and permits at MVC, all applicants must prove their identity by passing 6 Point ID Verification. 6 Point ID Verification was designed to help prevent identity theft by ensuring that licenses are only issued with proper legal documents and verification. This requires you to prepare information prior to visiting an MVC Agency, possibly resulting in special document requests from other state agencies.

Hudson County Birth Certificates

If you were born in or after 1965, you can still use your certified Jersey City/Hudson county birth certificate to renew your license.

If you were born before 1965, you have two options:

* Get a new, certified copy of your birth record from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. There is a $25 fee. This copy will be valid for all identification purposes

* Get a letter of authenticity from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics. This letter is only valid with the MVC and will not serve as a certified copy of your birth certificate. There is no fee with this option

To get a letter of authenticity, you must appear in person at the State Bureau office and present the original certified copy of your birth record and bring a valid ID.

To obtain a copy of your birth certificate that the MVC will accept, please visit the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.

In 2001, New Jersey sought to enhance driver preparation and safety by implementing a multi-stage driver licensing system. Known as the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program, the system gradually introduces driving privileges to first-time drivers, 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. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10 and 39:3-13 through 39:13.8)

Depending on the applicant’s age, there are three different ways to complete the GDL program. Please select one of the following for more details:

* Early Bird Road: For applicants 16 years of age and older

* Young Adult Road: For applicants 17 years of age and older

* Adult Road: For applicants 21 years of age or older

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 course through the N.J. Department of Education or commercial driving school

* An approved instructor must purchase the permit

* Must pass MVC’s knowledge and vision tests

* Must pay required fee

* Permit may not be used for practice driving until validated at an MVC Driver Testing Center

* 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

Step 3: Get a Provisional License

* Must have completed 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 Provisional Driver License

* Must practice unsupervised driving for at least one year

* Must observe provisional 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 provisional driver license restrictions

* Must pay required fee

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 Provisional License

* Must have completed six months of supervised driving without any suspensions or postponements

* Must pass MVC’s road test

Step 4: Practice Unsupervised Ddriving

* Must practice unsupervised driving for at least one year

* Must follow provisional 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

Step 1: Get an Examination Permit

* Must be at least 21 years old

* Must pass MVC’s knowledge and vision tests

* Must pay required fee

Step 2: Practice Supervised Driving

* Must practice with an adult supervising driver

* Must practice at least three months

* Must observe examination permit driving restrictions

Step 3: Get a Provisional License

* Must have completed three months of supervised driving without any suspensions or postponements

* Must pass MVC’s road test

Step 4: Practice Unsupervised Driving

* Must practice unsupervised driving for at least one year

* Must follow provisional 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

Special Learner Permit Restrictions

* No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

* No using cell phones, hand-held video games or any other hand-held

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 must be from the provisional license holder’s household, and up

to one additional person.

* Permit holder and all passengers must all wear a seat belt.

Examination Permit Restrictions

* No driving between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

* No using cell phones, hand-held video games or any other hand-held

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. 1

* Passengers must be from the provisional license holder’s household,

and up to one additional person.

* Permit holder and all passengers must wear a seat belt.