The New Jersey road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can book a road test at the right time.
• You can gather the documents and vehicle you need.
• You can perform the skills on the test, including the three-point turn and parallel parking.
• You can spot vehicle problems that lead to rejection.
• You can explain what happens after you pass or fail.

What you need to know and understand

• Under-21 GDL permit holders must complete six months of supervised driving and 50 hours, with the BA-CSD form, before testing; drivers 21 and over need three months.
• Bring your 6 Points of ID, your validated permit, and the car's registration, insurance card and inspection sticker.
• Under-21 drivers must have the two red GDL decals on the plates.
• The examiner must be able to reach the foot brake or a parking brake to the right of the driver.
• Self-parking vehicles and autocycles cannot be used.
• You will back up about 100 feet in a straight line, do a three-point turn and parallel park.
• Backup cameras and parking sensors are allowed, but you must still look properly.
• If you fail, you must wait at least 14 days before retesting.

Booking and bringing the right things

Book online or at an MVC Licensing Center once your practice period is complete. On test day bring your ID documents, validated permit, a car with valid registration, insurance and inspection, the decals if you are under 21, and a licensed driver to bring you. The MVC does not supply cars. If your accompanying driver is licensed outside New Jersey or has less than three years of experience, they must drive the car to the test site.

What the examiner scores

• Starting the car and sitting properly with your seat belt on.
• Steering, smooth stopping and using the horn.
• Driving in reverse in a straight line.
• Turning, and turning around with a three-point (K) turn.
• Parallel parking, ending no more than six inches from the curb.
• Approaching corners and intersections, stopping at signs and yielding right of way.
• Following other vehicles at a safe distance.

Doing the three-point turn

1. Start from the right edge of a quiet road with clear views both ways.
2. Signal left, then move forward slowly while turning the wheel fully left; stop a few inches from the far curb.
3. Check all around, then reverse slowly while turning the wheel right; stop short of the near curb.
4. Move forward, steering left, then straighten up in the new direction.

Why tests get canceled

Common vehicle problems include an expired inspection sticker, warning lights, poor brakes, unsafe tires, broken lights, cracked glass, tinted front windows, missing mirrors and a dirty interior. Check the car the day before. Our New Jersey road test guide covers scoring and retests in more depth.

Common mistakes

• Palming the wheel with one hand while reversing during parallel parking. Use both hands and look out the rear window.
• Rolling stops at stop signs. Stop fully behind the line.
• Bringing a car with tinted front windows or a warning light on. The test can be refused.
• Forgetting the BA-CSD form or the decals.

Test yourself: The New Jersey road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• NJ Road Test Explained
• Getting a First New Jersey License as an Adult Over 21
• How to Get a Driver’s License in New Jersey