Driver's license in New Jersey
What New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) publishes about getting a license, checked August 27, 2026.
- If you have no Social Security number
- A standard New Jersey licence accepts a Social Security number, an ITIN, or an affidavit. So not having an SSN does not block a standard licence. A REAL ID has its own, stricter document requirements.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - 6 Points of ID · Checked August 27, 2026
- Vietnamese documents need a certified translation
- Documents in any language other than English must come with a certified translation. MVC accepts one issued by the government body that issued the original (a consulate or ministry), one sealed by a qualified translator such as someone certified by the American Translators Association, or one with a full signed statement from the translator giving their name, address, email, phone and signature.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - 6 Points of ID · Checked August 27, 2026
- The 6 Points of ID system
- New Jersey scores your documents: you must reach 6 points proving age and identity, and those must be paper originals, not electronic copies. Proofs of your New Jersey address may be electronic. Form BA-208 is also required.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - 6 Points of ID · Checked August 27, 2026
- Languages the driver manual comes in
- The New Jersey driver manual comes in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Gujarati and Korean. There is no Vietnamese edition, so plan on studying in English or with help translating.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - First Driver License · Checked August 27, 2026
- The two-year permit clock
- From the day you get your permit you have 2 years to finish every step and obtain the probationary licence. Miss it and you start over with a new permit.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - First Driver License · Checked August 27, 2026
- How long you wait after failing
- Fail the knowledge test and you can retake it after 7 days. Fail the road test and the wait is 14 days.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - First Driver License · Checked August 27, 2026
- How long you must practise first
- After passing the knowledge test, drivers over 21 must practise with a supervising driver for 3 months before the road test. Under 21 it is 6 months, including at least 50 practice hours with 10 of them after dark. The supervising driver must be 21 or older, hold a valid New Jersey licence, and have at least three years of experience.
- Source: New Jersey MVC - First Driver License · Checked August 27, 2026
Every line carries its own check date, because a page is only as trustworthy as its oldest line.
The oldest line on this page was checked August 27, 2026