New Jersey DMV Practice Test 2026

Practice Questions

12 free New Jersey DMV practice questions

Real New Jersey-specific questions sourced from the official New Jersey Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

1. Question 1 · DUI Laws

   What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and older in New Jersey?

   • A0.10%
   • B0.08%✓ Correct
   • C0.05%

   Why: A BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal for drivers 21 and older and constitutes driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New Jersey. For drivers under 21, the limit is effectively zero (0.01%) under the state's zero-tolerance law.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 115 · Drinking, Drugs and Health

2. Question 2 · Speed Limits

   What is the speed limit in a residential or business district when no other limit is posted?

   • A35 mph
   • B25 mph✓ Correct
   • C50 mph

   Why: The default speed limit in residential and business districts is 25 mph unless another limit is posted. Lower limits apply in school zones.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 62 · Speed Control

3. Question 3 · Weather & Visibility

   When must you use your headlights in New Jersey?

   • AFrom one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise, and whenever visibility is under 500 feet✓ Correct
   • BOnly when it is completely dark outside
   • COnly when driving on a highway

   Why: Headlights are required from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise, and any time you use your wipers or visibility drops below 500 feet. New Jersey's 'wipers on, lights on' rule ties headlight use to windshield wiper use.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 82 · Using Headlights

4. Question 4 · Right of Way

   At an uncontrolled intersection, who has the right-of-way?

   • AThe vehicle on the left
   • BThe vehicle that arrives first, or the vehicle on the right if both arrive together✓ Correct
   • CThe larger or heavier vehicle

   Why: At an intersection with no signs or signals, yield to the vehicle that arrives first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 50 · Rules of the Road

5. Question 5 · Highway Driving

   What is the recommended minimum following distance in good conditions?

   • AThe 2-second rule
   • BThe 3-second rule✓ Correct
   • CThe 4-second rule

   Why: Use the 3-second rule to keep a safe following distance: pick a fixed point ahead, and you should pass it no sooner than three seconds after the vehicle in front of you. Increase the gap in poor weather.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 99 · Defensive Driving

6. Question 6 · Lane Changes & Passing

   It is illegal to pass another vehicle within how many feet of an intersection?

   • A50 feet
   • B100 feet✓ Correct
   • C200 feet

   Why: You may not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, tunnel, or viaduct. Passing in these areas is dangerous because of limited sight distance and cross traffic.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 65 · Keeping to the Right

7. Question 7 · Sharing the Road

   When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

   • AOnly if children are visible near the bus
   • BWhen the bus is ahead of you or oncoming on an undivided road✓ Correct
   • COnly when the bus is on your side of the road

   Why: You must stop at least 25 feet away when a school bus shows flashing red lights, whether it is ahead of you or approaching on an undivided roadway. You do not have to stop only if a raised barrier or median physically divides the road.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 76 · Sharing the Road

8. Question 8 · General Rules

   Where must children under age 8 and under 57 inches tall ride?

   • AIn the back seat, in an appropriate child restraint✓ Correct
   • BIn the front seat with an adult
   • CIn any seat as long as they use a booster

   Why: Children under 8 years old and under 57 inches tall must be secured in the rear seat in an appropriate, federally approved child restraint or booster seat.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 43 · Occupant Restraint System

9. Question 9 · Driver Readiness

   Using a handheld cell phone while driving in New Jersey can result in a fine of:

   • A$50 to $150
   • B$200 to $800✓ Correct
   • C$100 to $300

   Why: A first handheld-phone offense carries a fine of $200 to $400; repeat offenses range up to $800 and can add motor-vehicle points and a 90-day license suspension. GDL drivers may not use any device at all.

   Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 85 · Safe Driving Rules and Regulations

10. Question 10 · Accidents & Emergencies

    When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, you should:

    • ASpeed up to get out of its way
    • BPull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes✓ Correct
    • CContinue driving at the same speed

    Why: Yield to an approaching emergency vehicle by pulling to the right side of the road and stopping until it has passed. If you are in an intersection, clear it first, then pull over.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 78 · Pull Over and Stop for Emergency Vehicles

11. Question 11 · Pedestrian Laws

    When must you yield to pedestrians?

    • AOnly at marked crosswalks
    • BAt all crosswalks — marked and unmarked — and whenever a pedestrian is in your path✓ Correct
    • COnly when a traffic light directs you to

    Why: Drivers must yield (and New Jersey law requires you to stop) for pedestrians at all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, and any time a pedestrian is in the roadway in front of you.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 144 · Sharing the Road With Pedestrians

12. Question 12 · Parking Rules

    When parallel parking, your wheels must be within how many inches of the curb?

    • A6 inches✓ Correct
    • B12 inches
    • C18 inches

    Why: When you finish parallel parking, your tires must be no more than 6 inches from the curb. Parking farther out is a violation and is also tested on the road exam.

    Source: New Jersey Driver Handbook, page 58 · Parking

How to get your New Jersey driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in New Jersey's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

1. 1

   Check the age and eligibility requirements

   Eligibility in New Jersey: 16 with an approved behind-the-wheel driver-training course (special learner permit); 17 for a standard examination permit. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

2. 2

   Study the official handbook

   Read the Official New Jersey Driver Manual (nj.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.

3. 3

   Pass the knowledge test

   The New Jersey written test has 50 questions, and you need 40 correct (80%) to pass. You have 60 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $10 for the examination permit, plus $4 for the required red GDL decals.

4. 4

   Build supervised driving experience

   Hold your permit for the period New Jersey requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

5. 5

   Pass the road test and get licensed

   After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, New Jersey issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local New Jersey DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the New Jersey test

• 1,000+ New Jersey-specific questions

  Every question is sourced from the official New Jersey Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

• Explanations on every answer

  Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

• Hard Questions module

  A curated bank of the trickiest New Jersey questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

• Smart progress tracking

  See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the New Jersey DMV.