New Jersey Permit Test: 50 Questions, 40 to Pass
New Jersey's Graduated Driver License process separates permit, supervised practice, road test, probationary license and basic license. The knowledge test has 50 questions and requires 80%. Since February 1, 2025, most permit holders who were under 21 when the permit was issued must also document at least 50 supervised hours, including 10 during darkness, on MVC Form BA-CSD before licensure.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
New Jersey added a real 50-hour supervised-driving requirement in 2025. For permits issued on or after February 1, 2025 to applicants under 21, MVC requires at least 50 supervised hours including 10 during darkness and Form BA-CSD at licensure. Permits issued before that date are grandfathered out of this specific requirement. See New Jersey's current 50-hour rule →
- 50 / 40knowledge questions / correct
- 16 / 17Special Learner / Examination Permit age
- 50 / 10under-21 practice / darkness hours
New Jersey knowledge-test format
The New Jersey knowledge test contains 50 questions and requires at least 40 correct answers. A failed knowledge test requires a seven-day wait before retesting. After passing the knowledge and vision tests, the permit is validated and supervised practice begins; applicants under 21 generally wait six months before the road test, while applicants 21+ wait three months.
| questions | 50 |
|---|---|
| correct to pass | 40 |
| passing score | 80% |
General knowledge: 50 questions
The exam tests New Jersey traffic law, safe-driving rules and road signs from the current Driver Manual.
Pass with 40 correct
MVC's official sample-test page states that 80%, or 40 of 50, is required.
The steps to a New Jersey driver license
New Jersey splits first-time drivers by permit route. At 16, a student in a behind-the-wheel course at a high school or a licensed driving school uses the Special Learner Permit; applicants 17 and older generally use the Examination Permit route.
- Step 1. Make an appointment and obtain your initial permit.
- Step 2. Bring the required identification and residency documents.
- Step 3. Pass the knowledge test and the 20/50 vision standard.
- Step 4. Practice under the supervision rules for your age and permit type.
- Step 5. Complete the required practice period and road test.
- Step 6. Receive a probationary license, drive unsupervised for one year and then upgrade to a basic license.
Before you go: requirements and documents
New Jersey first-permit requirements
New Jersey first permit: Special Learner at 16 through a behind-the-wheel course or Examination Permit at 17, 6 Points of ID, knowledge and vision tests.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a New Jersey first permit
Prepare New Jersey permit documents using MVC's 6 Points of ID system, address/residency requirements and required permit forms.
Open the document checklist →Build a qualifying 6 Points of ID package
Use MVC's current selector/checklist rather than relying on an old list of document combinations.
Bring the required New Jersey address evidence
Standard and REAL ID document paths differ; verify the current address requirement for the credential you want.
Fees
Both common automobile permit routes currently cost $10. Driving-school tuition, license issuance and other service costs are separate from the permit fee.
| Student Learner Permit | $10 |
|---|---|
| auto Examination Permit | $10 |
| GDL permit validity | 2 years |
See the full New Jersey fee guide →
New Jersey teen permit and GDL path
The age-16 route is built around a behind-the-wheel course at a high school or a licensed driving school: Special Learner Permit, six hours behind the wheel with an instructor, permit validation, six months supervised practice and the road test no earlier than 17.
Step 1: enroll in a behind-the-wheel course at 16
Driver education at a high school or a course at a licensed driving school both qualify. The school, the student or a parent or guardian completes the permit at an MVC agency that offers driver testing, and the student passes the knowledge and vision tests.
Step 2: complete six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
The dual-controlled-vehicle instruction must be completed before MVC validates the permit for practice driving.
Step 3: six months and 50/10 supervised hours
Use a New Jersey-licensed supervisor age 21+ with at least three years' experience and complete BA-CSD certification before licensure.
First New Jersey driver's license for adults
New Jersey's key adult split is age 21. Applicants age 18–20 remain in the under-21 GDL framework, including the six-month supervised period and 50/10 certification for qualifying permits; age 21+ generally practices for three months before the road test.
Step 1: obtain the Examination Permit
Make the permit appointment, bring the 6 Points/document package and pay the current $10 auto permit fee.
Step 2: pass the 50-question knowledge test and vision test
Score at least 40/50, or 80%; a failed knowledge exam can be retaken after seven days.
Ages 18–20: six months + 50/10 practice
The under-21 GDL rules still apply, including BA-CSD certification and relevant GDL restrictions/decals.
Appointments and office visits
Book every step with the New Jersey MVC: one appointment to get the permit, a second for the knowledge and vision tests, and a third for the road test after the supervised-practice period.
Appointment 1: get the permit
Bring the required documents and pay the permit fee before moving to the knowledge-test stage.
Appointment 2: take knowledge and vision tests
Schedule the knowledge test after the permit is issued; bring your documents again.
Appointment 3: road test
Under 21, choose a date at least six months after the knowledge/permit stage and after completing the 50/10 practice requirement. Drivers over 21 generally use a three-month supervised period.
New Jersey permit, knowledge-test and road-test locations
The permit, knowledge test and road test can occur at different MVC service locations, so follow the appointment's listed site rather than assuming every MVC office offers every service.
Find the right office
New Jersey MVC Licensing Centers handle permits and licenses; testing centers give the knowledge and road tests. Check appointments first.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Road-test eligibility is mainly about the supervised-practice clock. Under 21, the current GDL path requires at least six months plus the 50/10 certification; drivers over 21 generally have a three-month supervised-practice period.
Under 21: complete six months and 50/10 hours
Bring the signed BA-CSD Certification of Supervised Driving at licensure/road-test stage as directed by MVC.
Over 21: three-month supervised period
The 50/10 certification law applies to qualifying under-21 permits, not applicants age 21+ at permit issuance.
Bring a qualifying vehicle and required documents
Use MVC's live road-test checklist for registration, insurance, inspection/safety and accompanying-driver requirements.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the New Jersey knowledge test
New Jersey missions are live in Road to Permit: practice New Jersey questions in the game, the first five missions free. Use the September 2026 New Jersey Driver Manual and MVC First Driver License page as the source of truth. Older guides can miss the February 1, 2025 supervised-driving requirement. Focus on 50 questions / 40 correct, the correct 6-month versus 3-month wait, BA-CSD 50/10 certification, decals and the one-year probationary period.
New Jersey road signs for the permit test
New Jersey's knowledge test includes the ability to read and understand common road signs, so sign study should be a separate part of your 50-question exam preparation.
Study road signs →How to study the New Jersey Driver Manual
The real general knowledge test has 50 questions and requires 40 correct. Study the current NJ Driver Manual first, then use MVC's sample questions to check traffic law, signs and GDL knowledge.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Study New Jersey road law and safe-driving rules
- Learn signs and traffic-control devices
- Under 21: learn GDL restrictions too
- Use MVC's official sample test
- Study New Jersey's GDL sequence and 2025 practice-hour change
- Use the current manual as your source of truth
- A practical study order
- Learn sign shapes
- Learn sign colors and categories
New Jersey permit test: questions and answers
What is the New Jersey knowledge-test format?
New Jersey's knowledge test has 50 questions and you need 40 correct (80%). It covers traffic law, safe driving and road signs, is offered in 13 languages, and after a failure you wait at least seven days.
What do I need before I apply in New Jersey?
New Jersey splits first-time drivers by permit route. At 16, a student in a behind-the-wheel course at a high school or a licensed driving school uses the Special Learner Permit; applicants 17 and older generally use the Examination Permit route.
Which documents should I prepare?
For a New Jersey permit, bring documents worth 6 Points of ID and proof of your New Jersey address, to the permit appointment and again to the knowledge test. Under-21 applicants covered by the 2025 rule later add the BA-CSD supervised-practice certification.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
Both common automobile permit routes currently cost $10. Driving-school tuition, license issuance and other service costs are separate from the permit fee.
Where do I make an appointment?
Book every step with the New Jersey MVC: one appointment to get the permit, a second for the knowledge and vision tests, and a third for the road test after the supervised-practice period.
How many questions are on the New Jersey knowledge test?
50 questions.
How many correct answers do I need?
40 correct answers, or 80%.
How long after failing the knowledge test before I can retest?
Seven days.
How long must an applicant under 21 practice before the road test?
Generally six months after the permit is validated.
What is the supervised-driving period at age 21+?
Generally three months.
Who needs the 50-hour supervised-driving certification?
Permit holders whose permit was issued on or after February 1, 2025 while they were under 21; the rule requires 50 hours including 10 during darkness.
What form certifies the 50 hours?
MVC Form BA-CSD.
Who can supervise permit driving?
A New Jersey licensed driver age 21+ with at least three years of driving experience, seated in the front passenger seat.
What are the under-21 GDL nighttime hours?
Generally no driving from 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., subject to the state's documented exceptions.
Are red decals required?
Yes, under-21 permit and probationary drivers subject to GDL must display the red reflective decals on the front and rear plates.
How long must I hold the probationary license before basic license eligibility?
One year of unsupervised practice.
How long do I have to finish the permit-to-probationary steps?
MVC currently says the permit gives you two years to finish steps 1–4 and obtain the probationary license before a new permit is required.
How long after failing the road test before another attempt?
14 days under the current MVC First Driver License process.
Complete New Jersey driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
How to study the New Jersey Driver Manual
Use the official New Jersey Driver Manual and MVC sample test to prepare for the 50-question general knowledge exam; you need 40 correct, or 80%, to pass.
Open guide →New Jersey first-permit requirements
New Jersey first permit: Special Learner at 16 through a behind-the-wheel course or Examination Permit at 17, 6 Points of ID, knowledge and vision tests.
Open guide →Documents for a New Jersey first permit
Prepare New Jersey permit documents using MVC's 6 Points of ID system, address/residency requirements and required permit forms.
Open guide →New Jersey permit and test appointments
New Jersey first-time drivers make separate MVC appointments for the initial permit, the knowledge test and the road test.
Open guide →New Jersey road test
New Jersey road test: under 21, six months and 50/10 hours of practice first; 21 and older, three months. A failed test can be retaken after 14 days.
Open guide →New Jersey road signs for the permit test
Road signs are part of New Jersey's 50-question knowledge test. Study shapes, colors and the action each sign requires in the Driver Manual.
Open guide →New Jersey permit and GDL fees
The Student Learner's Permit (16+) and the Examination Permit (age 17) each cost $10 and last 2 years. Under-21 decals, driving school and license cost extra.
Open guide →New Jersey knowledge-test format
The NJ MVC general knowledge test has 50 questions. You must answer at least 40 correctly, or 80%, to pass.
Open guide →New Jersey teen permit and GDL path
New Jersey teens: Special Learner Permit at 16 with 6 hours of training, six months, 50/10 hours, road test at 17, red decals, a probationary year.
Open guide →First New Jersey driver's license for adults
New Jersey adults: permit, 50-question knowledge and vision tests, six months of practice under 21 or three at 21+, road test, probationary year.
Open guide →New Jersey permit, knowledge-test and road-test locations
New Jersey MVC Licensing Centers handle permits and licenses; testing centers give the knowledge and road tests. Check appointments first.
Open guide →Official sources
Last updated . Procedures and fees can change, so check the official page before you apply.
- NJ MVC — First Driver License
- NJ MVC — Knowledge Test
- NJ MVC — Sample Knowledge Test
- NJ MVC — License and Permit Fees
- NJ MVC — Graduated Driver License
- NJ MVC — Young Adult / Special Learner Permit Path
- NJ MVC — 50-Hour Practice Requirement News Release
- NJ MVC — New Jersey Driver Manual
- New Jersey MVC — Road Test
- New Jersey MVC — Driver Manuals
- New Jersey MVC — 50-Hour Supervised Driving Requirement
- New Jersey — New Jersey Driver Manual
- NJ MVC — Vision Test
- NJ MVC — 6 Points of ID
- NJ MVC — Agency Services
- NJ MVC — Certification of Supervised Driving
- NJ MVC — Facility Locations
- NJ MVC — Licensing Centers