New Jersey Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)

The New Jersey rules and numbers to know for the MVC knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official New Jersey driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.

The New Jersey test at a glance

Questions on the test
50
To pass
40 of 50 correct (80%)
Time limit
We found no published time limit for the New Jersey knowledge test.
Minimum permit age
17 years old
Hold the permit for
6 months of supervised practice driving for under-21 GDL permit holders; 3 months for 21 and older
Alcohol limit under 21
0.01% BAC

New Jersey rules and numbers

From the official New Jersey handbook (2026 (inner pages marked Revised 4/2026)); PDF page numbers in brackets.

Rules of the road

  • New Jersey Kyleigh's Law: GDL drivers show red decals on front and rear plates. [p.7]
  • New Jersey GDL: no driving from 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. [p.20]
  • New Jersey probationary: one passenger beyond dependents unless a parent rides. [p.20]
  • New Jersey: driving without the required GDL decals brings a $100 fine. [p.16]
  • NJ school zones, business and residential districts: 25 mph unless posted. [p.64]
  • NJ suburban business and residential districts: 35 mph unless posted. [p.64]
  • NJ rural roads with no posted limit: 50 mph. [p.64]
  • NJ: no parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. [p.87]
  • NJ: no parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. [p.87]
  • NJ: no parking within 50 feet of a stop sign or a railroad crossing. [p.87]
  • NJ: park no more than 6 inches from the curb. [p.86]
  • NJ: passing on the right shoulder is illegal. [p.67]
  • NJ railroad crossing: stop at least 15 feet away when signals are active. [p.78]
  • NJ: stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus. [p.79]
  • NJ: school bus stopped in front of a school - pass at 10 mph or less. [p.79]
  • NJ ice cream truck with stop arm out: stop, then pass at 15 mph or less. [p.80]
  • NJ: follow a signaling emergency vehicle no closer than 300 feet. [p.80]
  • NJ work zones: traffic fines are doubled. [p.105]
  • NJ: a dark (unlit) traffic signal is treated as a 4-way stop. [p.70]
  • NJ traffic circle, when in doubt: vehicle on the left yields to vehicle on the right. [p.70]
  • NJ weave lane: entering driver yields to the driver exiting. [p.72]
  • NJ crosswalk: stay stopped until the walker clears your lane and the adjacent lane. [p.68]
  • NJ Safe Passing Law: give bicyclists at least 4 feet on a single-lane road. [p.152]

Safe driving & emergencies

  • New Jersey GDL drivers: no phone use at all, handheld or hands-free. [p.20]
  • NJ: if 4 feet is not possible, slow to 25 mph to pass a bicyclist. [p.152]
  • NJ: keep 6 seconds or more of following distance on snow-covered roads. [p.101]
  • NJ manual: hydroplaning can start at about 35 mph. [p.99]
  • NJ: after running off the pavement, slow to 25 mph or less before returning. [p.107]
  • NJ emergency stop: second warning device at least 300 feet behind the car. [p.107]
  • NJ blowout: grip the wheel, lift off the gas, no brakes, coast to a stop. [p.109]
  • NJ: stalled on tracks - run at a 45-degree angle toward the coming train. [p.108]
  • NJ headlights: half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. [p.85]
  • NJ manual: do not drive on tires with less than 1/16 inch of tread. [p.48]
  • NJ handheld phone ban: first offense fine $200 to $400. [p.88]

Alcohol & drugs

  • NJ drivers under 21: illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher. [p.117]

Rules learners miss most

The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.

  • At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
  • Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
  • A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
  • Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
  • Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
  • KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
  • Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
  • Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
  • In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
  • Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
  • Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
  • Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
  • Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
  • 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
  • ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
  • A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
  • Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
  • An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
  • Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
  • Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
  • Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
  • Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
  • Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
  • Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
  • Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.

Now test yourself

Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.

FlashcardsPractice test 1New Jersey mock test