What you need to know about New Jersey driver's licenses for immigrants
New Jersey allows you to get a driver's license without being a U.S. citizen, but the documents you bring and the process you follow depend on your immigration status. If you have a valid visa, a work permit, or temporary protected status, you can explore at any New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. If you are undocumented, New Jersey does not issue a standard driver's license, but you may be able to get a Special Learner's Permit or a Driving Privilege Card instead.
The key difference is that New Jersey separates driver's licenses into two categories: those tied to proof of legal presence in the United States, and those that are not. Understanding which category applies to you will tell you which documents to gather and which MVC office to visit.
Key Takeaways
- Immigrants with a valid visa, work permit, or temporary protected status can explore for a standard New Jersey driver's license at any MVC office.
- You will need to bring your passport, immigration document (visa, work permit, or I-94), proof of Social Security number, and proof of New Jersey residency.
- Undocumented immigrants cannot get a standard license but may be able to get a Special Learner's Permit or a Driving Privilege Card, which allow you to drive legally but have restrictions.
- The MVC charges a fee for a driver's license, and the amount depends on the type of license and how long it is valid.
- You will need to pass a written test, a vision test, and a road test before you receive your license.
Documents you need if you have legal immigration status
If you have a visa, work permit, employment authorization document (EAD), or temporary protected status, bring these documents to the MVC:
- Your passport
- Your visa, work permit, I-94, or other immigration document showing your legal status
- Proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099)
- Two forms of proof that you live in New Jersey (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days)
- Your completed MVC process form (Form BA-298)
The MVC will not accept a photocopy of your passport or immigration document — you must bring the original. If your Social Security number is not yet issued, you can explore for one at your local Social Security office before you go to the MVC, or you can ask the MVC about alternative documents that show your work authorization.
If your immigration document is expiring soon, you can still explore for a driver's license, but the license will be valid only as long as your immigration status is valid. Once your visa or work permit expires, your driver's license will also expire unless you renew your immigration status.
how the process works for a standard driver's license
Visit any New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office in person. You cannot explore online or by mail. Bring all the documents listed above, plus your completed process form. You can read Form BA-298 from the MVC website or pick one up at the office.
At the MVC, you will take a written test about New Jersey traffic laws. The test is offered in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and others — ask the staff which languages are available at your location. You will also take a vision test. If you pass both, you will receive a learner's permit and can schedule a road test.
The road test is conducted by an MVC examiner and takes about 20 minutes. You must bring a car that is registered and insured, and the car must pass a safety inspection. After you pass the road test, you will receive your driver's license. The entire process from process to license can take several weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule your road test.
Special Learner's Permit and Driving Privilege Card for undocumented immigrants
If you do not have legal immigration status, you cannot get a standard New Jersey driver's license. However, you may be able to get a Special Learner's Permit or a Driving Privilege Card. Both allow you to drive legally in New Jersey, but they have restrictions and are not accepted as identification outside of driving.
A Special Learner's Permit allows you to drive only while supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front seat next to you. You must display a learner's permit decal on your car. To get a Special Learner's Permit, you need to pass the written test and vision test, but you do not need to pass a road test or prove legal immigration status.
A Driving Privilege Card allows you to drive without supervision, but it is not a driver's license and cannot be used as identification for any other purpose. To get a Driving Privilege Card, you must pass the written test, vision test, and road test. You will need to bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a Social Security number, proof of New Jersey residency, and your passport or other travel document.
Documents you need for a Special Learner's Permit or Driving Privilege Card
For a Special Learner's Permit, bring:
- Your passport or other travel document
- Proof of your ITIN or Social Security number
- Two forms of proof that you live in New Jersey (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days)
- Your completed MVC process form (Form BA-298)
For a Driving Privilege Card, bring the same documents, plus you must also pass a road test. The process is the same as for a standard driver's license, except you do not need to prove legal immigration status.
If you do not have a Social Security number or ITIN, you can explore for an ITIN at your local IRS office. An ITIN is a tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service and does not require legal immigration status. You will need to bring your passport and proof of New Jersey residency to the IRS office.
Fees and how long your license lasts
The cost of a New Jersey driver's license depends on the type of license and how long it is valid. A standard driver's license costs between $24 and $131, depending on whether you are getting a learner's permit, a basic license, or a Real ID-compliant license. A Special Learner's Permit costs less than a standard license. A Driving Privilege Card costs the same as a standard driver's license.
A standard driver's license is valid for four years if you are under 62 years old, or six years if you are 62 or older. A Special Learner's Permit is valid for two years. A Driving Privilege Card is valid for four years. If your immigration status expires before your license expires, your license will also expire.
The MVC accepts cash, check, and credit or debit card. Some offices may have different payment options, so call ahead to confirm. You can find the phone number and address of your nearest MVC office on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website.
Real ID and what it means for immigrants
New Jersey offers a Real ID-compliant driver's license, which meets federal standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. A Real ID license costs more than a standard license and requires additional documents, including proof of your Social Security number and proof of your legal presence in the United States.
If you have a visa, work permit, or other proof of legal immigration status, you can get a Real ID license. If you do not have legal immigration status, you cannot get a Real ID license, but you can get a standard driver's license or a Driving Privilege Card. A standard driver's license or Driving Privilege Card cannot be used for domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings, but it can be used to drive in New Jersey and other states.
If you are planning to travel by air or enter a federal building, ask the MVC staff whether you should get a Real ID license. They can tell you whether you have the documents needed and what the additional cost will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my passport as proof of residency?
No. Your passport shows where you are from, not where you live now. You need two documents that show your current New Jersey address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days. A cell phone bill or credit card statement usually does not count.
What if my visa or work permit expires before my driver's license expires?
Your driver's license will expire on the same date as your visa or work permit. When you renew your immigration status, you can renew your driver's license at the same time by bringing your new immigration document to the MVC.
Can I get a driver's license if I am on a tourist visa?
Yes, if you have a valid tourist visa (B-1/B-2) and proof of a New Jersey address, you can explore for a driver's license. However, your license will be valid only as long as your visa is valid. Tourist visas are typically valid for six months to two years.
Do I need to take the written test in English?
No. The MVC offers the written test in many languages. Call your nearest MVC office to find out which languages are available at that location. You may need to schedule your test in advance if your language is not commonly offered.
What is the difference between a Driving Privilege Card and a Special Learner's Permit?
A Special Learner's Permit allows you to drive only with a licensed supervisor in the front seat. A Driving Privilege Card allows you to drive alone. Both require you to pass a written test and vision test, but only a Driving Privilege Card requires a road test. A Driving Privilege Card is valid for four years, while a Special Learner's Permit is valid for two years.