The New Jersey permit test has 50 questions, and you need 40 correct (80%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-16.
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Key New Jersey DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the New Jersey handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free New Jersey DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the New Jersey handbook (last verified 2026-09-06).
Speed limits
- The calculation is 76 minus 65, which equals 11 mph. (Handbook, p. 62)
- New Jersey extends the double-fine provision in a 65-mph zone beyond the speed threshold: most other moving violations committed there are also covered. (Handbook, p. 62)
- Certain interstate highways may be posted at 65 mph, the highest category shown in New Jersey’s table. (Handbook, p. 62)
- New Jersey's speed table sets 50 mph for non-posted rural roadways. (Handbook, p. 62)
- At 60 mph, a vehicle travels 88 feet in one second. (Handbook, p. 100)
Right of way
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-36 sets a $200 fine for a driver convicted of failing to stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, and the court may add up to 15 days of community service. (Handbook)
- Normally, when a school bus stops, motorists behind or approaching it must stop at least 25 feet away. (Handbook, p. 77)
- Do not pass other vehicles within 100 feet of a railroad crossing. (Handbook, p. 153)
- At a multi-way stop, simultaneous arrival creates a right-side priority rule: the motorist on the left yields to the motorist on the right. (Handbook, p. 67)
- A left turn crosses the path of approaching vehicles and may also cross a pedestrian route. (Handbook, p. 67)
Alcohol and DUI
- For an adult motorist, New Jersey treats a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher as illegal, so a reading of exactly 0.08 percent reaches that threshold. (Handbook, p. 115)
- New Jersey uses a much lower BAC threshold for a person younger than 21: 0.01 percent or higher is illegal. (Handbook, p. 115)
- For a first DUI offense with BAC at least 0.08% but below 0.10%, New Jersey requires an ignition interlock for three months from the date driving privileges are restored. (Handbook, p. 127)
- The BAC range from 0.10% to below 0.15% places a first DUI in the seven month to one year ignition interlock period after driving privilege restoration. (Handbook, p. 127)
- A first DUI with BAC of 0.15% or higher requires the ignition interlock during the suspension and for 12 to 15 months after driving privilege restoration. (Handbook, p. 127)
Signals and markings
- When the solid yellow line is on the motorist’s side, passing is prohibited. (Handbook, p. 217)
- A flashing yellow light tells the driver to slow down and proceed with care. (Handbook, p. 212)
- A green arrow authorizes movement only along its displayed direction. (Handbook, p. 212)
- The steady raised palm tells a person still on the sidewalk or curb not to enter the roadway. (Handbook, p. 213)
- The white pedestrian indication permits people facing it to cross in the shown direction. (Handbook, p. 213)
Parking
- New Jersey bars parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or the sideline of a street or intersection highway, with the manual noting an alley exception. (Handbook, p. 85)
- New Jersey bars parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 50 feet of a railroad crossing, and within 50 feet of a stop sign. (Handbook, p. 85)
- Parking is prohibited within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and within 75 feet on the street opposite a fire station entrance. (Handbook, p. 85)
- New Jersey's no-parking list keeps cars at least 50 feet from a stop sign, and the same 50 feet applies near a railroad crossing. (Handbook, p. 85)
- Flags or markers 25 feet apart may represent other vehicles when practicing parallel parking. (Handbook, p. 58)
Safe driving
- On a two-lane road, a motorist must stop at least 25 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights. (Handbook, p. 77)
- For normal driving, New Jersey recommends gripping the outside rim at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, with the thumbs along the face of the wheel. (Handbook, p. 51)
- When reversing, New Jersey advises driving slowly at approximately walking speed, about 2 to 4 mph. (Handbook, p. 55)
- For a child under age two who weighs less than 30 pounds, New Jersey requires a federally approved rear-facing child passenger restraint equipped with a five-point harness. (Handbook, p. 42)
- On a dual-lane highway, a driver on the far side of a safety island or raised median should slow to 10 mph when a school bus has stopped. (Handbook, p. 77)
Road signs
- The red octagon is reserved for a STOP sign. (Handbook, p. 215)
- The inverted triangle is the distinctive shape assigned to a YIELD sign. (Handbook, p. 215)
- DO NOT ENTER uses a white square containing a red circle crossed by a horizontal white band. (Handbook, p. 216)
- The cross buck is an X-shaped railroad crossing sign, and the manual says it means the same as a Yield sign. (Handbook, p. 216)
- New Jersey describes regulatory signs as generally rectangular, with black wording and a black border on a white background. (Handbook, p. 215)
Laws and paperwork
- New Jersey’s knowledge test has 50 questions, and the passing mark is 80 percent. (Handbook, p. 31)
- New Jersey requires headlights in daytime conditions when visibility is 500 feet or less and whenever windshield wipers are being used during rain, snow, or ice. (Handbook, p. 83)
- The early-bird pathway requires at least 50 practice-driving hours, and 10 of those hours must occur during darkness. (Handbook, p. 34)
- The hour restriction for the listed permit and probationary holders under 21 begins at 11:01 p.m. and ends at 5:00 a.m. (Handbook, p. 18)
- A permit or probationary license holder who is under 21 must display two visible red reflective GDL decals. (Handbook, p. 19)
Emergencies
- A New Jersey Move Over violation carries a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500. (Handbook, p. 78)
- The manual protects the area around a fire department vehicle in service by prohibiting parking within 200 feet, unless an authorized fire, emergency rescue, or police official directs otherwise. (Handbook, p. 78)
- When a New Jersey crash causes personal injury or property damage over $500, the motorist must send a written report to the MVC within 10 days if no police report is filed. (Handbook, p. 111)
- If a train is approaching, run at a 45-degree angle away from the vehicle and tracks but in the direction of the train to avoid flying debris. (Handbook, p. 106)
- Immediately remove the person from the carbon monoxide source and call 911 for medical attention. (Handbook, p. 48)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 17 short lessons quoted from the New Jersey manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free New Jersey DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see New Jersey DMV facts and fees before test day.