Understanding New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License Program - Teen Safe Driving Orientation - GDL Overview

Sep 29, 2026

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Teen Safe Driving Orientation material explains why teens face high crash risk during their first two years of driving and highlights key contributing factors such as distraction, passengers, nighttime driving, and speeding. It introduces New Jersey’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) as a three-stage, step-by-step licensing process designed to increase instruction and driving experience. The guide summarizes major law facts, curfew and passenger limits, electronic device prohibitions, seat belt requirements, decals, and fines, then details Stage 1 permit, Stage 2 probationary, and Stage 3 basic requirements and restrictions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

The Graduated Driver License Program

GDL purpose and impact

The facts about the law

Stage 1 - Permit requirements

Stage 2 - Probationary license requirements

Stage 3 - Basic license requirements

Permit and probationary license restrictions

TEENS CRASH FOUR TIMES MORE OFTEN THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) Teens are at the highest risk of being involved in a car crash during their first two years of driving. Leading causes of teen crashes include distraction, passengers in the car, nighttime driving, and speeding. (NHTSA) A teen driver’s fatality risk increases by 44 percent with one passenger, doubles with two passengers, and quadruples when there are three or more passengers in the car. American Automobile Association (AAA) The more guided experience a young driver has, the safer that driver will be on the road. FOUR OF EVERY TEN TEEN CRASH DEATHS OCCUR AT NIGHT (NHTSA) [www.njteendriving.com](www.njteendriving.com) NEW JERSEY PARENT/TEEN SAFE DRIVING ORIENTATION Kean University in partnership with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety and New Jersey State Police developed Share the Keys, a research based, data-driven orientation designed to reduce teen driver crash risks by increasing parental involvement. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws are recognized asthe single most effective tool for reducing teen driver crashes, injuries and deaths. New Jersey’s GDL is considered oneof the most progressive and stringent in the United States. However, to be effective, it must be supported by parents, and they and their teens need to understand the risks and responsibilities associated with driving. Parental involvement has a significant impact on teen driver safety. A research report, Driving through the Eyes of Teens: A Closer Look, commissioned by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Institute, examined the impact parenting styles had on teen driver safety. It found that teens whose parents set rules and pay attention to their driving activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to be involved ina crash. The report presents the many safety gains realized through this balanced parenting approach (authoritative) and provides a series of best practices. For more information about Share the Keys visit: [www.SharetheKeys.com](www.SharetheKeys.com) Division of Highway Traffic Safety 140 East Front Street, 7th Floor P.O. Box 048 • Trenton, NJ 08625-0048 Tel: 609.633.9300 • Fax: 609.633.9020 800.422.3750• [www.njsaferoads.com](www.njsaferoads.com) FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! STK-30 (3/20) UNDERSTANDING NEW JERSEY’S GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE PROGRAM SAFE PASSAGE moving toward zero fataliti􀀓 WWW.NJSAFEROADS.COM The Graduated Driver License Program for First Time Drivers THE GDL IS A THREE STAGE LICENSING PROCESS THAT IS DESIGNED TO GIVE NEW DRIVERS INCREASED, STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION AND DRIVING EXPERIENCE ON THE ROAD TO OBTAINING A BASIC DRIVER LICENSE. THE GDL HAS REDUCED TEEN DRIVING FATALITIES BY 50% SINCE IT WAS IMPLEMENTED. New Jersey residents who have never had a driver license must follow New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program to get their first unrestricted basic driver license. THE FACTS ABOUT THE LAW • May not drive between 11:01 p. m. and 5:00 a. m. • May only transport one passenger, unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian or the passengers are the driver’s dependents (children) • Use of a cell phone (hand-held or hands-free), hand-held video games or any other hand-held wireless electronic devices (i.e., iPods, GPS) is prohibited • Must ensure that they and all of their passengers wear seat belts • Must display the GDL decals on any vehicle they drive • Face a fine of $100 for a violation under the GDL STAGE 1-PERMIT REQUIREMENTS Special Learner’s Permit • Be at least 16 years old • Obtain consent of a parent or guardian • Enroll in an approved behind-the-wheel driver training course • Pass the knowledge and vision tests Examination Permit • Be at least 17 years old • Obtain consent of a parent or guardian • Pass the knowledge and vision tests • Practice supervised driving

FAQs

What are the main conditions teens must follow under New Jersey’s GDL law?

Teens may not drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., are limited to transporting one passenger (with specific exceptions), and cell phone use and other hand-held wireless devices are prohibited. They must ensure seat belt use, display GDL decals, and may face a $100 fine for violations.

What does Stage 1 require for a special learner’s permit and an examination permit?

For the special learner’s permit, applicants must be at least 16, obtain a parent/guardian consent, enroll in an approved behind-the-wheel training course, and pass knowledge and vision tests. For the examination permit, applicants must be at least 17, obtain consent, pass knowledge and vision tests, and practice supervised driving for at least six months.

What are the requirements for moving to Stage 2 and Stage 3?

Stage 2 requires being at least 17, passing the MVC road test, and practicing unsupervised driving for at least one year. Stage 3 requires being at least 18, completing one year of unsupervised driving under probationary restrictions, and paying the required fee.

Sep 29, 2026

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