What you need to do to get a New Jersey driver license

To get a driver license in New Jersey, you will visit a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office in person, pass a written test about traffic laws, pass a road test where an examiner watches you drive, and pay a fee. The whole process takes several weeks from start to finish because the MVC schedules road tests weeks in advance. You cannot do this entirely online or by mail — you must show up to an MVC office twice: once to take the written test and once to take the road test.

New Jersey issues licenses valid for 10 years for drivers 21 and older. If you are under 21, the license is valid for four years. The fee is $24 for a four-year license and $48 for a 10-year license, paid at the time of your road test.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit an MVC office in person twice: once to pass the written test and once to pass the road test, which you schedule after passing the written test.
  • Before your first visit, gather your Social Security card, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), proof of identity (passport or birth certificate), and proof of New Jersey residency if you are moving from another state.
  • The written test covers New Jersey traffic laws and road signs and is offered in multiple languages at MVC offices.
  • Road tests are scheduled weeks in advance, so plan for a gap of several weeks between passing your written test and taking your road test.
  • You will need a vehicle for your road test, and the vehicle must have valid registration, insurance, and a passing inspection sticker.

Documents to bring to the MVC office

Bring your original Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. You also need proof of your identity: a valid passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card. If you do not have a passport or birth certificate, ask the MVC which other documents they will accept before you go.

Bring proof that you live in New Jersey. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address works. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. If you just moved to New Jersey from another state, bring proof of your old address as well — a utility bill or lease from your previous state.

Bring your Social Security card in its original form; a photocopy is not accepted. If you have lost your card, you will need to get a replacement from the Social Security Administration before you can get your driver license.

Taking the written test at an MVC office

Go to your nearest MVC office during business hours. You do not need an appointment for the written test. The test has 50 questions about New Jersey traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly to pass. The test is offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and several other languages — ask the MVC staff which languages are available at your office.

The written test is on a computer at the MVC office. You will sit at a terminal and answer multiple-choice questions. Results are given when ready. If you pass, the MVC will give you a permit that allows you to drive with a licensed adult in the car while you practice for your road test. If you do not pass, you can take the test again the same day or come back another day at no extra cost.

After you pass the written test, you will schedule your road test appointment. The MVC books road tests weeks in advance, so your appointment may be 4 to 12 weeks away depending on how busy your local office is. Write down your appointment date and time.

Preparing for and taking your road test

Your road test lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. An MVC examiner will sit in the passenger seat while you drive on public roads near the testing office. The examiner watches how you handle the vehicle, follow traffic laws, use mirrors and signals, park, and respond to road conditions. You will be tested on basic skills like starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and merging.

Before your road test, practice driving in the area where your MVC office is located if possible. The examiner will take you on roads you may not know, but knowing the general area helps. Practice parallel parking, three-point turns, and highway driving if your test will include those.

On the day of your road test, bring your permit (the document you received after passing the written test), your proof of identity, and proof of insurance for the vehicle you are using. The vehicle must have a valid registration, a passing inspection sticker, and working lights, wipers, and brakes. If the vehicle fails inspection during the test — for example, if a light is broken — you will not be allowed to take the test and will have to reschedule.

If you pass the road test, you will receive your driver license on the spot or within a few days by mail. If you do not pass, you can schedule another road test. There is no limit to how many times you can take the road test, but each attempt requires a new appointment, which may be weeks away.

MVC office locations and hours

New Jersey has 19 MVC offices across the state. You can visit any office; you do not have to go to the one nearest your home. However, road tests are scheduled at the office where you took your written test, so choose an office location carefully if you know you will be traveling or moving soon.

Most MVC offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, with some offices open on Saturday mornings. Hours vary by location. You can find the address, phone number, and hours for each office on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website. Call ahead if you have questions about what documents to bring or which languages are available.

Renewing or replacing your license

Once you have your driver license, you can renew it by mail or online before it expires. New Jersey sends you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires. If you lose your license or it is damaged, you can get a replacement at any MVC office by showing your identity and paying a $5 fee.

If you move to a different address within New Jersey, you must update your address at an MVC office or online. Bring your current license and proof of your new address. The fee for an address change is $3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online or by mail?

No. The written test must be taken in person at an MVC office. You cannot take it online, by mail, or at a third-party testing center. You must visit an MVC office during business hours to sit at a computer terminal and take the test.

How long does it take to get a driver license from start to finish?

The process typically takes 6 to 16 weeks. You can take the written test as soon as you have your documents, but road tests are scheduled weeks in advance. The wait time depends on how busy your local MVC office is. After you pass your road test, you receive your license when ready or within a few days by mail.

What if I fail the road test?

You can take the road test again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. You will need to schedule a new appointment, which may be several weeks away. You do not have to retake the written test unless your permit expires.

Do I need a vehicle to practice with before my road test?

Yes. After you pass the written test, you receive a permit that lets you drive with a licensed adult in the car. You should practice driving as much as possible before your road test. On the day of your road test, you must bring a vehicle with valid registration, insurance, and an inspection sticker.

What languages is the written test offered in?

The written test is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic at most MVC offices. Call your local office to confirm which languages are available there. The road test is conducted in English, but you may bring an interpreter at some offices — call ahead to ask.