New Jersey GDL rules: passengers, hours, decals and devices

New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) rules depend on your permit or license stage and your age. Learn each restriction with its conditions, rather than memorizing a single rule for everyone.

Decals and night driving under 21

GDL permit and probationary drivers under 21 must display two visible red reflective decals: one on the upper-left corner of each license plate, front and rear.

They may not drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. An employment or religious exemption requires carrying a legible certification from the employer or religious official on official letterhead. It must include the certifying official’s signature, name, title, address and telephone number.

For examination-permit and probationary-license holders 21 or older, the hour, passenger and decal restrictions do not apply. Other GDL requirements still apply.

Passenger limits depend on the stage

• Special learner permit: passengers are limited to the permit holder’s parent, guardian or dependents, plus one additional passenger.
• Examination permit or probationary license, under 21: passengers are limited to the holder’s dependents plus one additional passenger, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“Family” is too broad a substitute for these categories. A permit holder must also have a qualified supervising driver in the front seat: at least 21, with a valid New Jersey license and at least three years of driving experience. All occupants must wear seat belts.

The device ban also applies at 21 and older

Permit and probationary drivers may not use a handheld or hands-free cell phone or other electronic devices while driving. Turning 21 does not remove this GDL restriction. Keep device use separate from the age-based exemptions for hours, passengers and decals.

Supervised practice and certification

If you were under 21 when issued a special learner or examination permit on or after February 1, 2025, complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 during darkness, before obtaining a probationary license. The requirement still applies if you turn 21 before licensure.

A parent, guardian or supervising driver must sign Form BA-CSD. Bring it to the road-test appointment when required and present it when obtaining the probationary license. A practice log can help track hours, but does not replace that certification. The 50 hours also do not replace the required supervised-practice period.

Use the official first-license steps to plan each stage and the road-test checklist to prepare for test day.

Official sources

NJ Driver Manual, “Graduated Driver License” and “Driver Distractions”; MVC supervised-practice requirements; Form BA-CSD; first-license guide.