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Am I Ready for the New Jersey Permit Test?
12-question diagnostic · 4 easy, 4 medium, 4 hard · Updated July 12, 2026
Twelve questions, deliberately mixed: four easy, four medium, four of the hardest in our verified New Jersey bank. The real test needs 80% — but a diagnostic this short needs a margin, so read your result like this: 11+ of 12, you're ready to book; 9–10, you're close — drill the 25 hardest first; below that, work the full test ladder before test day.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. The only thing that can make a person who has been drinking sober again is:
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Correct answer: Time
The only thing that can make a person sober is time. Alcohol is removed slowly by the body, so "sober-up-quick" methods such as coffee, food, or a cold shower do not work.
2. New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program requires a minimum age of what to receive an unrestricted, basic driver license?
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Correct answer: 18 years old
The GDL program gradually introduces driving privileges to first-time drivers and requires a minimum age of 18 to receive an unrestricted, basic driver license.
3. When parking your vehicle facing downhill next to a curb, you should turn the front wheels:
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Correct answer: Toward the curb
When parking facing downhill, set the hand brake and turn the wheels toward the curb. If the vehicle rolls, the curb will stop it. Place an automatic in park, or a manual in reverse.
4. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission adds points to a driving record when a motorist is:
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Correct answer: Convicted of a moving violation
The MVC tracks a motorist’s record by adding points when the motorist is convicted of a moving violation. The more serious the violation, the more points are assessed.
5. When parking your vehicle facing uphill next to a curb, you should turn the front wheels:
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Correct answer: Away from the curb
When parking facing uphill, set the hand brake and turn the wheels away from the curb so the vehicle rolls back against the curb if it moves. Place an automatic in park, or a manual in low gear.
6. How many points can be subtracted from your record for each full year without a violation or suspension?
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Correct answer: Up to 3 points
Up to three points are subtracted from a motorist’s total for every year the motorist goes without a violation or suspension and keeps driving privileges in good standing. The total is never reduced below zero. (N.J.S.A. 39:5-30.9)
7. Under New Jersey’s child passenger safety law, a child under age 8 and less than 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) tall must ride:
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Correct answer: In a federally approved child restraint or booster seat in a rear seat
Children under age 8 who are less than 57 inches tall must ride in a federally approved forward-facing restraint with a five-point harness or a booster seat, in a rear seat of the vehicle. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2a)
8. At an intersection with no painted lines, a pedestrian crossing the street:
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Correct answer: Is in an "unmarked crosswalk" and generally has the right of way
There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even when it is not painted. This is an "unmarked crosswalk," and in most cases pedestrians have the right of way there. Motorists must yield to pedestrians crossing at unmarked crosswalks.
9. A child under age 2 who weighs less than 30 pounds must ride in:
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Correct answer: A rear-facing child restraint with a five-point harness
Children under age 2 and weighing less than 30 pounds must ride in a federally approved rear-facing child passenger restraint system equipped with a five-point harness. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2a)
10. How many points does a traffic violation committed in another state add to a New Jersey driving record?
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Correct answer: 2 points
Two points are added to a New Jersey driving record for a moving violation committed in another state. Out-of-state violations become part of a motorist’s New Jersey record through the interstate compacts.
11. Under the Safe Passing Law, if a driver cannot give a vulnerable road user at least 4 feet of space, the driver must:
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Correct answer: Slow to 25 mph and be prepared to stop until it is safe to pass
If a 4-foot safety zone is not possible on a section of road, the driver must slow to 25 mph and be prepared to stop until able to pass safely without endangering those sharing the road. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.4)
12. An adult on the GDL Option C road (age 21 or older) must complete at least how long of supervised practice driving before the road test?
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Correct answer: Three months
On the adult road (Option C), a driver 21 or older must practice with an adult supervising driver for at least three months — half the six months required of younger drivers on Options A and B — before taking the road test.
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