To the best of our knowledge New Jersey has not changed the age for obtaining a provisional driver's license. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) the minimum age to obtain a provisional license is 17. There is no mention of a change in this since it appears this higher age has been helping to lower fatalities in teenagers.
New Jersey has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program in place for teen and first-time drivers. This class of driver must complete the GDL process to get their unrestricted basic driver’s license. The NJ Graduated Driver License Law came into effect January 1, 2001.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently told the Governors Highway Safety Association that raising the driving age saves lives. The IIHS pointed out that New Jersey has a traffic fatality rate of 18 per 100,000 for 16 and 17 year olds, while Connecticut, where they license teens earlier at 16 years of age, has a rate of 26 per 100,000.
Since the age at which New Jersey licenses teens appears to be working to lower fatalities it does not appear the state is going to be changing the age at which you receive your learner's permit, provisional license or basic license.
In New Jersey the provisional license restrictions include:
- No driving between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
- Passengers must be from your household. Only one additional person from outside your household is allowed in the vehicle.
- If you are at least 21 years old, there are no passenger or hour restrictions.
- You cannot use cell phones, hand held video games or any other hand held electronic device.
The age for obtaining a provisional license in NJ has not changed recently and we are not aware of any laws that have passed that would change the graduated licensing system currently in place in New Jersey however you can check with the NJ MVC to make certain. A representative for the MVC should be able to tell you if there will any changes to the GDL process in the near future.
If you are going to receive a provisional license soon than your parents will need to inform their insurance company to make sure you are properly covered on their insurance policy. If you plan on buying your own car than you can click here for young drivers car insurance needs.
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