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New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

New Jersey permit test 50 questions, 40 to pass

New Jersey's knowledge test is twice as long as many states': 50 questions, and you need 40 correct. You can take it at 16 through a driving school, or at 17 on your own. Either way, you'll get red decals for your plates. This page covers both routes and the GDL rules, with a practice test.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · 2026 New Jersey Driver Manual

Option A · Early Bird

16

Special learner permit. Parental consent, plus enrollment in an approved course with 6 hours behind the wheel. The instructor buys the permit, and it's valid 2 years.

Option B · Young Adult

17

Examination permit, no school course needed. Parental consent if you're under 18.

Both routes need at least 6 months of supervised practice, 50 hours with 10 in darkness, on the Certification of Supervised Driving form. Hours can be exempted for employment or religious reasons with certification.

At the MVC

Go to an MVC Licensing Center or Driver Testing Center with your 6 Points of ID, SSN and proof of NJ address. Documents must be in English or come with an approved translation. After vision screening (you may be referred to a physician), you take the 50-question test. Pass, pay $10, and pick up your decals.

The test comes in 14 languages: English, ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hindi, Albanian and Spanish. There's also an oral version with headphones. If you fail, you can request an interpreter with two weeks' notice.

The manual doesn't mention an online test or a retake wait.

New Jersey MVC practice test

Scored at the MVC's 80% (40-of-50) standard. Our 25 questions come from the 2026 manual, so you're practicing half the real test's length.

Free quiz · no sign-up

New Jersey MVC permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
80%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. How many questions are on the New Jersey knowledge test?

    • 25
    • 30
    • 40
    • 50

  2. How many correct answers do you need?

    • 35
    • 38
    • 40
    • 42

  3. At what age can you get a special learner permit?

    • 15
    • 15½
    • 16
    • 17

  4. At what age can you get an examination permit without a school course?

    • 16
    • 16½
    • 17
    • 18

  5. How many behind-the-wheel hours are in the Early Bird course?

    • 4
    • 6
    • 8
    • 10

  6. How many practice hours are required?

    • 30
    • 40
    • 50
    • 60

  7. How many of those hours must be in darkness?

    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20

  8. What is the minimum supervised practice period?

    • 3 months
    • 6 months
    • 9 months
    • 1 year

  9. Who may supervise a permit driver?

    • Anyone 18+
    • Someone 21+ with 3+ years' experience and an NJ license
    • Only someone 25+
    • A parent only

  10. What is the GDL curfew?

    • 10 p.m.–5 a.m.
    • 11 p.m.–5 a.m.
    • 11:01 p.m.–5 a.m.
    • Midnight–5 a.m.

  11. What phone use is allowed for permit holders?

    • Hands-free
    • None, hand-held or hands-free
    • Calls to parents
    • GPS

  12. Without a parent or guardian along, how many passengers besides dependents may you carry?

    • 0
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3

  13. What must a GDL driver display on the license plates?

    • Nothing
    • Red reflective decals
    • A blue sticker
    • A 'Student' sign

  14. What does an extra pair of decals cost?

    • $2
    • $4
    • $10
    • $24

  15. What is the minimum age for a probationary license?

    • 16
    • 16½
    • 17
    • 18

  16. How long is the probationary period before a basic license?

    • 6 months
    • 1 year
    • 2 years
    • 3 years

  17. What is the illegal BAC for drivers under 21?

    • .00
    • .01
    • .02
    • .05

  18. How far from a school bus with flashing reds must you stop on a two-lane road?

    • 10 feet
    • 15 feet
    • 25 feet
    • 50 feet

  19. You're on the opposite side of a dual highway with a median. You:

    • Stop
    • Slow to 10 mph
    • Speed up
    • Ignore the bus

  20. What is the limit in school, business and residential districts?

    • 20 mph
    • 25 mph
    • 30 mph
    • 35 mph

  21. What is the limit on unposted rural roads?

    • 45 mph
    • 50 mph
    • 55 mph
    • 65 mph

  22. How far from a railroad crossing with lights, bells or gates must you stop?

    • 5 feet
    • 10 feet
    • 15 feet
    • 50 feet

  23. How close to a fire hydrant may you park?

    • 5 feet
    • 10 feet
    • 15 feet
    • 25 feet

  24. Children under 8 and shorter than how many inches need a car seat or booster in the rear?

    • 48 inches
    • 53 inches
    • 57 inches
    • 60 inches

  25. What is the Class D permit fee?

    • $5
    • $10
    • $24
    • $35

The red decals and the rules that come with them

Until 21, permit and probationary drivers display red reflective GDL decals on both plates. The decals tell police that these rules apply to you:

  • No driving 11:01 p.m.–5:00 a.m. (yes, 11:01)
  • No phones or devices, hand-held or hands-free
  • Passengers: your dependents plus one more, unless a parent or guardian is along
  • Everyone belted

Your supervisor must be 21+, hold a valid NJ license, have at least 3 years of experience, and sit in the front seat. You can get a probationary license at 17, drive a year unsupervised on it, and move to a basic license at 18. The probationary license costs $24, or $35 for REAL ID.

Distances: the test's favorite numbers

DistanceRule
10 ftNo parking this close to a fire hydrant
15 ftStop this far from a railroad crossing with lights, bells or gates
25 ftStop this far from a school bus with flashing reds. No parking this close to a crosswalk.
50 ftNo parking this close to a railroad crossing or stop sign
200 ftNo parking this close to a fire department vehicle in service

On a dual highway with a median, traffic on the opposite side of a school bus slows to 10 mph instead of stopping.

Speed, alcohol and Move Over

  • Speed: 25 mph in school, business and residential districts. 35 in suburban business and residential areas. 50 on unposted rural roads. 55 on certain state highways.
  • Alcohol: .08 for adults. A first DUI between .08 and .10 brings a $250–$400 fine, 12–48 hours at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and up to 30 days in jail. Under 21, .01 is illegal and brings a 30–90 day suspension plus 15–30 days of community service.
  • Move Over (N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.2): move to a lane not next to stationary emergency, tow and highway maintenance vehicles, or slow down. A violation is 2 points.
  • Children under 8 and under 57 inches ride in a car seat or booster in the back.
  • Report a crash with injury or more than $500 in damage to the MVC within 10 days if police didn't file a report.

Neighboring states

New York · Pennsylvania · Delaware

New Jersey MVC permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the NJ permit test?

50 questions, plus an unscored organ-donation survey question. You need 40 correct (80%).

Can I get a permit at 16 in New Jersey?

Yes, through Option A, the Early Bird route. You need parental consent and enrollment in an approved driving school course with 6 hours behind the wheel. The instructor buys the special learner permit. Without a course, the examination permit starts at 17.

How much is a New Jersey permit?

$10 for a Class D permit. It comes with two red GDL decals, and extra pairs cost $4.

What languages is the NJ knowledge test in?

English, ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hindi, Albanian and Spanish, plus an oral test with headphones. If you fail, you can request an interpreter with two weeks' notice.

What is 6 Points of ID?

New Jersey's identity verification system. Your documents have to add up to six points, and you also need your SSN and proof of an NJ address.

What's the BAC limit for NJ drivers under 21?

.01, stricter than the .02 most states use.

Keep studying

Source: 2026 New Jersey Driver Manual (PDF); NJ MVC. Not affiliated with the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.