Permits and the Graduated Driver License

Key points

1. Anyone who has never held a driver license must complete the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “Individuals who have never had a driver license must complete the MVC’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 4

2. At 16 you can get a special learner permit, but only by enrolling in an approved behind the wheel driver training course.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Any New Jersey resident who is at least 16 years old and is not in suspension status may enroll in a behind-the-wheel driver training course to obtain a special learner permit”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19

3. At 17 you can get an examination permit instead, with no driving school or instructor required.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Any New Jersey resident who is at least 17 years old and is not in suspension status can obtain a driver examination permit at any MVC Licensing Center.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

4. Under 21, you need at least 6 months of supervised driving with 50 practice hours, 10 of them in darkness, before a road test appointment.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “GDL permit holders under 21 years of age must have a minimum of six months supervised practice driving which must include a minimum of 50 practice driving hours, including 10 during darkness prior to a road test appointment.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. The unrestricted basic license requires a minimum age of 18.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “and requires a minimum age of 18 in order to receive an unrestricted, basic driver license”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 14

6. Permit and probationary drivers may not drive from 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and may not use any phone, even hands free.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “No driving between 11:01 pm and 5:00 am No using hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other electronic devices.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

7. A permit holder must have a supervising driver in the front seat who is at least 21, holds a valid New Jersey license and has 3 years of driving experience.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “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”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

8. A probationary driver may carry dependents plus 1 other passenger, unless a parent or guardian is in the car.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Passengers are limited to dependents of the probationary license holder and one additional person, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 18

9. GDL drivers under 21 must show 2 red reflective decals, one on each license plate, on any vehicle they drive.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “All GDL drivers under age 21, who possess a permit or probationary license, are required to display two visible, red reflective decals”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19

10. Report an address change to the MVC within 1 week after moving.

    Source: Handbook p. 4

    “A motorist who changes addresses must report this change to the MVC within one week after moving.”
    New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 4

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Jersey practice test

1. 1. During what hours may a New Jersey permit or probationary holder under 21 not drive?

   1. From 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
   2. From midnight until 4:00 a.m.
   3. From 11:01 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.
   4. From 9:01 p.m. until 5:01 a.m.
   Show answer

   From 11:01 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.. 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. The one-minute difference from midnight is intentional, so the midnight option is not equivalent. The other windows move both endpoints and do not match the rule. Read the start and finish as a single interval; the age and license type determine whether the restriction applies before the trip begins.

2. 2. What qualifications must an adult supervising a New Jersey permit holder meet?

   1. At least 21, with a valid New Jersey license and three years of driving experience
   2. At least 18, with any valid license
   3. At least 21, with one year of driving experience
   4. At least 25, with five years of driving experience
   Show answer

   At least 21, with a valid New Jersey license and three years of driving experience. The supervising adult must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid New Jersey driver license, and have a minimum of three years of driving experience. The 18-year-old option fails both the age and license requirements. One year is too little experience, while the 25-and-five-years option is stricter than the manual and is not the stated standard. Before practice begins, verify all three qualifications together.

3. 3. How many visible red reflective decals must a New Jersey GDL driver under 21 display?

   1. Four, one at each corner
   2. One, on the rear plate only
   3. Two, both on the front plate
   4. Two, one on the front plate and one on the rear plate
   Show answer

   Two, one on the front plate and one on the rear plate. A permit or probationary license holder who is under 21 must display two visible red reflective GDL decals. One belongs on the top left of the rear license plate and the other on the top left of the front plate. The rear-only choice supplies just half of the required display, while placing both on the front plate leaves the rear vehicle unidentified. A useful walk-around cue is to check both plates before the young driver moves the vehicle.

Source: the New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 1: The New Jersey Driver License System. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.