New Jersey DMV Road Test Requirements

• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission issues licenses to new drivers of automobiles after the driver has completed a written test of road rules, an eye exam and a practice period under the supervision of a licensed driver. The final step is a road test that is evaluated by a state safety specialist. The road tests usually are conducted on off-road courses at the commission's service centers. The tests are conducted in the driver's vehicle and are by appointment.

Required Documentation

• Bring the same identification you used to secure your learner's permit, as well as the "6-point identification" required for any New Jersey driver's license. For details, go to the second link in the Resources section of this article

  You also must have a valid examination permit, and registration and proof of insurance for the car you will use. For drivers younger than 21, the license plates must include the red decal denoting that the driver is younger than 21.

Requirements For the Car

• If the car has a center console, the safety specialist must be able to reach the emergency brake from the passenger seat. To use a rental car other than one from a driving school, you must be able to show a rental contract that lists you as a legal driver of the car.

Basic Driving Skills

• The safety specialist will tell you where to turn and what to do. You will be evaluated on how you sit in the driver's seat, steer, approach corners or intersections, yield the right of way, stop at appropriate signs and back up the vehicle. Use signals when appropriate and demonstrate how you would look for oncoming traffic even though you are on a closed course with no other vehicles.

Two Specialized Skills

• You will be asked to turn the vehicle around by using a three-point turn: Turn left across the road, back up to where you started and turn left again to proceed in the opposite direction in the other lane.

  You also will be asked to park the car as you would along a curb on an urban street. The goal is to demonstrate proficiency at parallel parking, which shows you can control a vehicle in tight situations.