New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
New Jersey Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official MVC Knowledge Test with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
New Jersey permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 50
- Passing score
- 40 of 50 correct (80%)
- Minimum permit age
- 16
- Fee
- Examination permit (auto): $10, valid two years under the GDL. The special learner (student) permit is also $10, and the initial basic auto license is $24. GDL drivers under 21 also pay $4 for the required pair of red reflectorized plate decals.
- If you fail
- If you fail the knowledge test, you may retest after 7 days; a failed road test carries a 14-day wait. Once you have your permit, you have two years to finish all licensing steps or you must purchase a new permit.
- Online testing
- In person only
- Languages
- Written knowledge test offered in English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian, and Turkish; oral tests are offered in English and Spanish, and the MVC arranges approved interpreters for other languages.
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free New Jersey practice tests
New Jersey Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
New Jersey Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
New Jersey Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in New Jersey
New Jersey's Graduated Driver License program starts with a special learner permit at 16 (requires enrollment in an approved behind-the-wheel course) or an examination permit at 17; drivers under 21 must then complete at least six months of supervised practice with 50 logged hours, 10 of them after dark (applicants 21 and older practice three months). After passing the road test, drivers hold a probationary license for at least one year of unsupervised driving before qualifying for a basic license at 18 or older. GDL drivers under 21 must display red reflectorized decals on both license plates, may not drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., are limited to dependents plus one additional passenger unless a parent or guardian is aboard, and may not use any handheld or hands-free device.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: MVC
New Jersey permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the New Jersey permit test?
The official New Jersey Knowledge Test has 50 questions, according to the MVC (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the New Jersey permit test?
You must answer 40 of 50 questions correctly (80%) to pass the New Jersey Knowledge Test.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New Jersey?
You can apply for a learner's permit in New Jersey at 16, according to the MVC (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the New Jersey permit cost?
Examination permit (auto): $10, valid two years under the GDL. The special learner (student) permit is also $10, and the initial basic auto license is $24. GDL drivers under 21 also pay $4 for the required pair of red reflectorized plate decals. — as listed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the New Jersey permit test?
If you fail the knowledge test, you may retest after 7 days; a failed road test carries a 14-day wait. Once you have your permit, you have two years to finish all licensing steps or you must purchase a new permit. (per the MVC, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the New Jersey permit test online?
No. The New Jersey Knowledge Test is administered in person through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), not online.
What languages is the New Jersey permit test offered in?
Written knowledge test offered in English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian, and Turkish; oral tests are offered in English and Spanish, and the MVC arranges approved interpreters for other languages. (per the MVC, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in New Jersey?
Driver licensing in New Jersey is handled by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The official site is https://www.nj.gov/mvc/.