N.J. now mandates new drivers get more practice: Here’s what parents must do

Getting the probationary license

Drivers have to complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice and pass the road test and must be at least 17 years old before they qualify for a probationary license.

“When you have that you can practice what we call unsupervised driving, you are allowed to drive no later than 11 p.m. at night and no earlier than 5 a.m.,” he said. “No distractions, meaning no cell phones, no hand-held devices.”

Drivers under the age of 21 with a probationary license must place a red decal on the upper left-hand corner of the vehicle’s license plate.

Parents, guardians or dependents are allowed as passengers. A dependent can be the driver’s child, not a brother or sister. Only one additional passenger is allowed in the vehicle unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Getting a regular license

The NJ MVC requires those with a probationary driver’s license to continue unsupervised driving for one year. After that period, it can be upgraded to a basic license online.

If a driver doesn’t upgrade within three and a half years of receiving the probationary license, they have to make an appointment at a Licensing Center to renew their probationary license.

Making the roads safer

Connolly said in a densely populated state like New Jersey, the new requirement makes sense.

“This law is underscoring the importance of practice, getting behind the wheel, putting the time in behind the wheel, for new and young drivers and teen drivers this is especially important,” he said. “We want them to get the experience of driving on New Jersey’s roads, in different contexts, in different environments, at night, during the day.”

Noble said it’s important to teach new drivers that their focus should solely be on the road. Drivers should not be talking, texting or fooling around when they’re behind the wheel, and parents need to practice what they preach.

“Over the past several years we’ve just seen an epidemic of unsafe behavior behind the wheel, so we need people to be engaged, especially when they’re teaching teens to drive,” she said.

Once the 50 hours of practice driving are completed, the parent, guardian or supervising driver must sign a form certifying the new driver has spent the required amount of practice time behind the wheel.

“We’ve heard numerous times over the years, ‘Oh I can’t drive with my kid, it makes me too nervous.’ Well, you need to get beyond the nervousness and actually teach them how to drive,” Noble said.

More information about getting a driver’s license is available at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle website.