If you’re a New Jersey parent helping your teen get a driver’s license, there’s a new rule you’ll want to know about. As of February 2025, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) now requires all new drivers under 21 to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before applying for a probationary license.
This new law aims to make New Jersey’s roads safer — especially for young, inexperienced drivers in busy areas like Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and Atlantic City.
🧭 Why the Change?
Before this rule, New Jersey was one of just three states — along with Arkansas and Mississippi — that didn’t require minimum practice hours.
Now, the Garden State joins the rest of the country in setting clear standards to make sure new drivers have real-world experience before driving solo.
According to NJMVC press secretary William Connolly, supervised practice must take place over at least six months. The adult accompanying the teen must:
- Be 21 or older
- Hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license
- Have at least three years of driving experience
🚦 Step 1: Getting a Learner’s Permit
Teens can apply for a Special Learner’s Permit at age 16 if they’re enrolled in a licensed driving school or a high school driver’s education program.
To qualify, they must:
✅ Pass a knowledge (written) test
✅ Pass a vision test
✅ Complete six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor
Once these steps are complete, the learner’s permit is validated, allowing supervised driving practice to begin.
🛣️ Step 2: Logging Practice Hours
Parents and guardians now play a major role. Teens must complete 50 hours of supervised driving — with at least 10 of those hours at night — before taking the road test.
Once the required hours are completed, the supervising adult must sign a certification form confirming that the teen has met the state’s practice requirement.
AAA’s Tracy Noble emphasized why this is so important:
“New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country — with city traffic, suburban roads, and rural highways. Teens need to be prepared for all of it.”
🚘 Step 3: Getting a Probationary License
To qualify for a Probationary License, the driver must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have completed 50 hours of supervised practice
- Pass the road test
Probationary drivers can now drive without supervision, but must follow these rules:
- No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- No cell phones or handheld devices
- Only one additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Must display a red decal on the top left corner of both license plates
🪪 Step 4: Upgrading to a Basic License
After holding a probationary license for one full year, drivers can upgrade to a basic license online.
If they don’t upgrade within 3.5 years, they’ll need to make an appointment at an NJMVC Licensing Center.
🧠 Building Safer Driving Habits
This new requirement is designed to reduce crashes and promote safer driving habits among teens. The NJMVC hopes the law will encourage parents to take an active role in their teens’ driving education — not just rely on schools or instructors.
“Practice makes confident, responsible drivers,” Connolly said. “This law underscores the importance of getting experience on New Jersey roads — during the day, at night, and in all types of driving conditions.”
Parents are also reminded to model safe behavior — no texting, speeding, or distractions while driving.
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