The NJ permit test, which the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) calls the knowledge test, is a multiple-choice test on the New Jersey Driver Manual. The MVC says the test has 50 questions and you must answer 40 correctly (80%) to pass. Teens starting at 16 usually take it at their driving school, while adults take it at an MVC driver testing center. We have run US Driving School in New Jersey since 2008, and this is how we prepare our own students.
New Jersey permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice questions from the New Jersey Driver Manual (MVC sample knowledge test page) |
| Pass mark | 40 of 50 correct (80%), per the MVC |
| Agency | New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), nj.gov/mvc |
| Where | Teens 16 and up: at the driving school where they enroll in behind-the-wheel training. Adults: at an MVC driver testing center by appointment |
| Online option | No |
| Permit fee | $10 for an examination permit or student learner's permit |
| Plate decals | Required for drivers under 21. $4 for a new set if not bought with the permit |
| Languages | 13: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian and Turkish. Oral tests in English and Spanish only |
How many questions are on the New Jersey permit test?
The MVC's sample knowledge test page says the real test has 50 questions and that you must answer 80%, or 40 of the 50, correctly to pass. That means you can miss up to 10. In our experience, the students who fail usually miss the same kinds of questions: point totals, fines, alcohol penalties and exact distances.
What's on the NJ permit test
Everything comes from the New Jersey Driver Manual published by the MVC. Expect questions on:
- Road signs, signals and pavement markings.
- Right of way at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts.
- Speed limits, following distance and passing.
- Parking and stopping rules.
- Sharing the road with bicycles, pedestrians and school buses.
- Alcohol, drugs and distracted driving, including penalties.
- Graduated driver license (GDL) rules for new drivers.
What makes New Jersey different
Three things catch first-time applicants in New Jersey more than anywhere else:
- 6 Points of ID: before you test, you prove who you are with a mix of documents that add up to 6 points. The MVC accepts these identity documents as paper or hard copies only, and documents in another language need a certified translation.
- GDL decals: drivers under 21 with a permit or probationary license must display red reflective decals on the front and rear plates. Missing decals will get a road test refused.
- 13 test languages: the knowledge test is offered in more languages than most states, and oral versions are available in English and Spanish.
How to study for the New Jersey permit test
- Read the New Jersey Driver Manual in 20 to 30 minute sessions, one chapter at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color first, then by meaning.
- Make a one-page sheet of every number: point values, fines, alcohol limits, distances and GDL hours.
- Take full-length practice tests and review every miss until you can explain the answer.
- Book the test when you score 90% or better several times in a row.
If you want help beyond the books, US Driving School (usdrivingschool.com) offers behind-the-wheel lessons and road test prep in New Jersey, and teens in the 16-year-old path take the knowledge test through their driving school.
What to bring and how to book
Teens in the special learner's permit path enroll with a licensed driving school and complete form BA-412D with their identity documents, and the school gives the knowledge and vision tests. Adults buy an examination permit and book the knowledge test through the MVC appointment system at nj.gov/mvc. Either way, bring:
- Documents adding up to 6 Points of ID, as paper or hard copies.
- One proof of New Jersey address for a standard license, two for REAL ID. A parent or guardian can certify it on form MR-24 if you are under 18.
- Your Social Security number (or ITIN or affidavit, where the MVC allows it) and form BA-208.
- Proof of your purchased examination permit if you are testing at an MVC testing center.
- Glasses or contacts if you need them for the vision test.
Book only through nj.gov/mvc so you do not land on a look-alike site.
Test day habits that help
- Read every question twice before you choose.
- Watch for words like always, never and except.
- If two answers look right, pick the safer choice.
- Do not rush. Use the time you have.
Can you take the New Jersey permit test online?
No. The New Jersey knowledge test is taken in person, either at your driving school or at an MVC driver testing center. You can study and practice online, but not take the real test from home.
What happens if you fail the NJ permit test?
Don't panic. Many people need a second try. In the teen path, the MVC says you can take the knowledge test again after 7 days. Adults testing at an MVC center should check the current retake rules and any fees with the MVC when they book. Use the week to study the sections you missed.
New Jersey permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the New Jersey permit test?
50 multiple-choice questions, according to the MVC's sample knowledge test page.
How many questions can you get wrong on the New Jersey permit test?
Up to 10. The MVC says you must answer 40 of the 50 questions correctly (80%) to pass.
Is the NJ permit test hard?
It is very passable if you study the manual, not just practice apps. Most of our students who fail lose points on numbers such as fines, points and distances, so learn those on purpose.
How much does a New Jersey permit cost?
The examination permit or student learner's permit is $10. Plate decals are $4 a set if you did not buy them with your permit.
What languages is the NJ knowledge test offered in?
13 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian, French and Turkish.
