Apply for New Jersey Drivers License
The route that you will have to take when applying for a New Jersey drivers license is dictated by the state graduated drivers license program and largely depends on your age at the time when you submit your application. Application requirements can be divided into three groups: the Early Bird Road option, The Young Adult Road option and the Adult road option. Testing requirements are the same, no matter how old you are and you have to take a vision exam, a permit test and a driving test when you submit your application for a New Jersey drivers license.
Graduated Drivers License
A distinctive trait of the New Jersey graduated drivers license program is the fact that it applies to drivers of all ages while most of the states only have teenagers go through the program. The graduated drivers license program has three options, each one specific to a certain age group:
- Early Bird Road - 16 to 17 years of age
- Young Adult Road - 17 to 21 years of age
- Adult Road - 21 years of age and older
Although graduated license requirements differ for various ages, testing requirements are still the same, so there is no way for you to get around taking a drivers license test, for example, even if you are 50 years old when you choose to apply for a New Jersey driver license. Exceptions can be made for those who have already received a drivers license in a different state.
Early Bird Road
This route towards a New Jersey drivers license should be taken by youngsters between 16 and 17 years of age. The first step of the application process is signing up for professional driving lessons. Note that this is not equivalent to a New Jersey drivers education class, since there are no classroom hours involved. Once you have your proof of enrollment in behind the wheel lessons, visit a local Motor Vehicle Commission office, where you can file your paperwork, take a vision exam and a learners permit test. If everything checks out, your driving instructor will be able to purchase a drivers permit for you.
At this point, your New Jersey special learner permit is only good for driving with your drivers instructor, you cannot drive with anyone else. Once you complete the behind the wheel lessons, your permit will need to be activated by the MVC. From that point on, you can drive with your parents or another person who holds a valid New Jersey drivers license.
You need to hold your drivers permit for at least six months and be 17 years of age before you can continue on to the next level.
When the holding period is up, you are good to schedule a drivers test with a Driver testing station. If you pass the driving test, your examiner will issue you with authorization to be licensed that you will need to take down to an MVC office where you can apply for a New Jersey drivers license. Note that at this point, you are issued with a probationary license and you will have to observe all New Jersey probationary license restrictions until they are removed.
Young Adult Road
If you are 17 to 21 years of age, you can apply for a New Jersey drivers license without having to take any behind the wheel or drivers education classes. Start by visiting a local MVC office where you can take a vision exam and a learners permit test. When you pass the tests, you are issued with a New Jersey examination permit.
When you have your examination permit, you are good to start practicing driving, but you have to remember that you need to observe all New Jersey permit restrictions while driving. You must practice for at least six months before you can go ahead and take a driving test.
Once you pass the drivers license test, you are issued with a probationary drivers license. A probationary license allows unsupervised driving only when certain conditions are met. Probationary license restrictions must be observed for at least twelve months.
The Adult Road
This option is available only to those who are at least 21 years of age when applying for a New Jersey drivers license. You will need to start by applying for a New Jersey examination permit. In order to do that, visit the MVC where you can take a vision exam and a permit test. When you pass the tests, you are issued with an examination permit and you can start practicing driving.
You must hold your examination permit for at least three months before continuing on to the next stage - the provisional drivers license. Once the period is up, take a driving test at one of the drivers testing stations, then file your application for a New Jersey driver's license at a local MVC office.
A provisional drivers license must be held for at least 12 months before you can go ahead and receive a full unrestricted drivers license.
Testing Required
In order to make sure that you have the knowledge required for operating a vehicle and are physically fit to do so, you will be required to take a vision exam, a learners permit test and a driving test before you can be issued with a drivers license.
Vision Exam
Your vision will be checked when you submit your application for a New Jersey MVC learner permit and the following minimum requirements must be met:
20/50 vision with or without corrective lenses. For sight in one eye only, that eye must meet the 20/50 rule and the applicant must have documentation signed by a licensed physician.
If you are unable to meet these requirements, a restriction that limits you to driving during daylight hours only may be placed onto your license. In some cases, you may be denied the driving privilege altogether.
Drivers Permit Test
The permit test in New Jersey features 50 questions that cover the state driving rules, road signs and safe driving practices. Despite the fact that the test is based on the information available through the official drivers license book, which is available free of charge, most of the applicants fail the test the first time they take it.
If you would like to see whether you are prepared to take on the real MVC permit test, you may wish to take a few New Jersey drivers practice tests that cover the same driving rules.
Drivers License Test
Taking a New Jersey driving test is almost the final step in the process of applying for a drivers license. The tests assesses your ability to control the vehicle and to follow all driving rules and regulations at the same time. You should grab a copy of the New Jersey drivers license manual and refresh your memory before you attempt to pass the exam.
