Road tests
After an applicant passes the knowledge test and vision screening and, if applicable, completes an approved behind-the-wheel course, the MVC will validate his/her permit so that he/she can practice. GDL permit holders under 21 years of age must have a minimum of six months supervised practice driving prior to a road test appointment. GDL permit holders, 21 years of age and over, must have a minimum of three months supervised practice driving prior to a road test appointment.
To make an appointment for an initial road test or a retest, visit any Driver Testing Center or schedule online at www.njmvc.gov. Appointments may not be made by phone.
Test Vehicle Requirements
Applicants must provide their own vehicle for the road test. The MVC does not supply vehicles for road tests. The examiner is not permitted to conduct the test unless the test vehicle meets the following requirements:
* Valid inspection sticker
* Valid registration document
* Valid insurance ID card for that vehicle (unless covered by BPU or federal DOT regulations)
* No center console or similar obstructions that would prevent the examiner from reaching the foot brake or parking brake
* If applicants vehicle has a standard transmission, the examiner will ask the applicant to demonstrate his/her ability to correctly shift gears.
* Vehicles registered out of state must comply with motorists home states laws with regard to insurance identification.
Accompanying Driver Requirements
Applicants must be accompanied to the Driver Testing Center by a licensed driver. Please note the following:
* Accompanying driver must hold a license to operate the type of vehicle for which the applicant has a permit (except for a moped).
* Accompanying driver must remain in the vehicle with the applicant at all times. A vehicle may not be moved, even in the road test line, without a licensed driver in the vehicle.
* If the accompanying driver is licensed in a state other than New Jersey or has less than three years of driving experience, he/she must drive the vehicle to the road test area. The MVC does not supply vehicles for road tests.
Elements of the road test
On the actual road test, an MVC examiner will ride with the applicant when he/she drives in an off-road test area or on a public road course. The purpose of the road test is to make sure that the applicant understands the rules of the road and can drive safely.
During the basic road test, the examiner may test you on the following items:
* Driving in reverse
* Following other vehicles
* Nearing corners/intersections
* Parking/parallel parking
* Sitting properly
* Starting a vehicle
* Steering properly
* Stopping at signs
* Stopping on downgrades/upgrades
* Stopping smoothly
* Turning
* Turning around
* Using the horn
* Yielding right-of-way
If an applicant passes the road test, the examiner will issue an authorization for licensing. The permit, authorization and 6 Points of ID Verification must be taken to a motor vehicle agency to obtain the digital driver license (DDL).
The MVC will license a successful applicant for a Class D basic driver license or Class E motorcycle license as a provisional driver if the applicant has never been licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this or any other state. The MVC will monitor his/her driving habits for two years.
If an applicant fails the road test, he/she must wait at least two weeks before taking the test again. To reschedule the test, go to any Driver Testing Center in person or schedule online at www.njmvc.gov. After several failures, the MVC may require an applicant to wait six months before retaking the road test.
Reasons for road test rejection
Most applicants believe that their driving performance is the only criterion the examiner uses to grade their road test. However, the vehicle may be the cause of failure. Some license applicants may not have the opportunity to take an initial road test because an examiner considers the vehicle unsuitable or unsafe for the test.
Here are some of the more common reasons the MVC rejects road test vehicles:
* Improper, expired or no inspection sticker
* Lack of examiner access to foot brake or parking brake
* Any defect or condition that affects the safe operation of the test vehicle, such as but not limited to:
o Poor brakes (pedal must not fade or go to the floorboard)
o Parking brake doesnt work
o Unsafe tires (smooth, cut, badly worn)
o Vehicle interior is not in reasonably clean condition
o Vehicle failed inspection, and motorist does not bring the Vehicle Inspection Report issued by the inspection station to road test area
o Vehicle not equipped with radial tires or snow tires or chains when road is snow covered
o Fast engine idle (cannot judge speed control)
o Missing seat belts (seat belts are required on all vehicles manufactured after July 1, 1966)
Additional Items for motorcycle and moped tests only:
* Lack of equipment required by state regulations
* No helmet
* Unapproved goggles or face shield
* No bell or horn (but not a siren or whistle) that can be heard 100 feet away
See motorcycle or moped manuals for more specific information.
Chapter 3. Introduction
Introduction
Safe driving is the responsibility of all individuals who operate a vehicle on New Jersey roads. The rules of the road must be obeyed at all times and laws must be strictly followed. A motorist must ensure the safety of all passengers who are riding in his/her vehicle and be mindful of the other motorists who share the road each day.
Buckle up New Jerseys seat belt law
The New Jersey seat belt law requires all front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles operated in New Jersey to wear a seat belt. The motorist is responsible for all passengers under 18 years of age. Front-seat passengers 18 years of age and over are responsible for themselves. Motorists with GDL permits or provisional licenses must use seat belts. Additionally, they must require all passengers seated anywhere in the vehicle to use seat belts. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2f, 39:3-13.2a, 39:3-13.4)
New Jerseys seat belt law requires the motorist, front-seat passenger and children under 18 years old to be belted (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2f). Non-compliance is a primary offense. A police officer can stop a motorist solely for a violation of the seat belt law. The law also expands the definition of passenger vehicle to include vans, pickup trucks and utility vehicles. Although rear seat belts are not required by law, passengers should always use them.
The exemptions are any passenger vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966, a passenger vehicle that is not required to be equipped with seat belt systems under federal law and a physical or medical reason, verified in writing by a licensed physician, that makes the motorist or passenger unable to wear a seat belt. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2g)
Seat belts can save a life and improve a motorists chances of surviving a crash by 60 percent. A motorists chances of surviving a collision are three to four times better if he/she is wearing both a seat belt and a shoulder strap. Fastening a seat belt takes only three seconds and reduces the chances of death or serious injury. Seat belts help in many ways, for example:
* They keep motorists and passengers from being thrown from the vehicle in a collision. If a motorist/passenger is held in place, any injury may be less severe.
* They slow a body down with the vehicle. If a vehicle hits something, the vehicle stops, but the person keeps going at the same speed that the vehicle was moving. Hitting the dashboard or windshield at 30 mph is like falling from the top of a three-story building