Traffic Safety

New Jersey's Graduated Driver's License (GDL) Program
If you are under 21 years old or have never had a driver license, New Jersey requires that you complete a period of supervised driving before getting a basic driver license. MVC's Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program introduces driving privileges in phases.

There are three options to complete the program:

The Early Bird Road
The Young Adult Road
The Adult Road

GDL changes effective May 1, 2010

Download FAQs - revised May 5, 2010 [pdf]

All permit or probationary (formerly provisional) drivers under age 21 must display a reflectorized decal on each license plate (front/back) of any motor vehicle they operate (P.L. 2009, c.37-Kyleigh’s Law, eff. May 1, 2010).

Drivers under 21 subject to New Jersey's Graduated Driver License (GDL) requirements:

Special learner's permit
Examination permit
Probationary (formerly Provisional) license

Note: Decals must be displayed for road test of drivers under age 21

Details of these mandatory decals are as follows:

• Each 1 ½ inch by 1 inch, reflectorized decal is red in color and made with removable, 3M Dual Lock® material
• One decal must be displayed on the upper left corner of the front license plate and one on the upper left             corner of the rear license plate
• Failure to display the decals during operation of a vehicle by a learner’s permit, an examination permit or           probationary license holder, who is subject to the GDL requirements, is a violation subject to a $100 fine. See N.J.S.A. 39:3-13.8.
• Decals are available at local motor vehicle agencies, $4 per pair (initial or replacement); decals, sold as             pairs only, can be purchased by anyone - permit holder, probationary driver or parents
• Drivers who are not subject to Kyleigh's Law should remove decals prior to operating the vehicle
• Refer to instructions for attaching decals to apply to license plates

Graduated Driver License Restrictions

In addition to the decal requirement, effective May 1, 2010, New Jersey GDL drivers will also be subject to the following restrictions:

• May not operate a motor vehicle after 11:01 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.
• May not use a hand-held or hands-free interactive, wireless communication device
• Unless over age 21, GDL drivers may only drive with the following passengers:
• Special Permit Holders:
  -Supervising driver who is over 21 and licensed to drive for at least three (3) years
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Examination Permit Holders
  -Supervising driver who is over 21 and licensed to drive for at least three (3) years
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Probationary (formerly Provisional) License Holder
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Failure to abide by any GDL restriction during operation of a vehicle by a learner’s permit, an examination permit or probationary license holder, who is subject to the GDL requirements, is a violation subject to a $100 fine. See N.J.S.A. 39:3-13.8