New Jersey supervised driving: 50 hours, 0 at night.
Everything a New Jersey parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.
What New Jersey actually requires
- Supervised hours: 50
- Night hours: 0 (counted between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time)
- Minimum permit age: 16
- Written test: 50 questions, 80% to pass
Requirements summarized from the official New Jersey driver handbook.
The New Jersey graduated licensing path
- Student learner permit — from age 16
Requirements: Enroll in an approved driver education course and pass the knowledge and vision tests. Practice at least 6 months before the road test.
Restrictions: A licensed driver 21+ with 3 years of experience must be in the front seat. No driving 11:01 p.m.-5 a.m. One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent. Red decals required on both plates.
- Probationary license — from age 17
Requirements: Hold the permit at least 6 months of supervised practice and pass the road test.
Restrictions: No driving 11:01 p.m.-5 a.m., only one additional passenger, no hand-held or hands-free devices, and red decals must stay on the plates.
- Basic license — from age 18
Requirements: Hold the probationary license at least 12 months without suspension.
Restrictions: None specific to age.
New Jersey laws your teen will be tested on
New Jersey's seat belt law
In New Jersey the driver and all passengers of a car, van, pickup, or SUV must be belted, and the driver is responsible for front-seat passengers and everyone under 18.
New Jersey speed limits
New Jersey sets 25 mph in school zones and business or residential districts, 35 mph in suburban districts, 50 mph on non-posted rural roads, and 55 mph or 65 mph where posted. Fines double for going 10 mph or more over in a 65 mph zone.
New Jersey: hand-held devices are a primary offense
Hand-held phone use and texting are banned on any New Jersey road and police can pull you over for that alone. Permit and probationary drivers may not use any phone — even hands-free.
New Jersey Move Over & Emergency Scenes
When approaching a covered stationary emergency or disabled vehicle, move into a nonadjacent lane when safety and traffic conditions permit. If changing lanes is impossible, prohibited, or unsafe, slow to a reasonable and proper speed below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.
New Jersey Right-of-Way Rules
At a multi-way stop, yield to the driver on your right if you arrive at the same time, and yield to a driver already stopped. When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic and stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk; when entering from a private road or driveway, yield to all traffic on the main road.
A real New Jersey practice question
What must a New Jersey driver license applicant under 18 present?
- A completed consent form signed by a parent or guardian
- Two proofs of a New Jersey residential address
- A consent form signed by a driving instructor
- Proof of vehicle ownership
Every applicant under age 18 must present a completed consent form signed by a parent or guardian.
New Jersey driving practice questions, answered
- How many supervised driving hours does New Jersey require?
- New Jersey requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 0 hours after dark.
- What counts as a night driving hour in New Jersey?
- Driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time counts toward the 0-hour night requirement.
- How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New Jersey?
- A New Jersey learner's permit can be issued starting at age 16.
- How many questions are on the New Jersey written test?
- The New Jersey knowledge exam has 50 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
- Does NextDriver Prep have New Jersey practice questions?
- Yes — 60 practice questions written from the official New Jersey driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
- How should we track the 50 hours?
- Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward New Jersey's 50 hours automatically.
- Is the New Jersey driving log free?
- Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
- Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
- No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The New Jersey licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
- What restrictions apply during the Student learner permit stage in New Jersey?
- A licensed driver 21+ with 3 years of experience must be in the front seat. No driving 11:01 p.m.-5 a.m. One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent. Red decals required on both plates.
- What restrictions apply during the Probationary license stage in New Jersey?
- No driving 11:01 p.m.-5 a.m., only one additional passenger, no hand-held or hands-free devices, and red decals must stay on the plates.
- What restrictions apply during the Basic license stage in New Jersey?
- None specific to age.
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