3 Stages of Teen Driving in NJ:

Learners, Probationary, and Full Privilege Explained

Your teenager is learning to drive! How time flies. We all remember our children pushing around plastic cars or riding their first bicycle. Can’t we go back to that? While it may feel like it is too soon, if your teen is obtaining a New Jersey Driver’s License, they have a lot of practicing to do before they are driving on their own. These are the 3 stages of teen driving that all New Jersey teens progress through.

Teen Driving Stage 1: Learner

Young drivers can receive their Learners Permit at 16. They must have their Learners Permit for 6 months before they can move onto the next stage. During this six-month period your teen is required to receive at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training. They also must be accompanied by at all times by someone 21 or older who has had their NJ Driver’s License for at least 3 years. Of those 50 total hours, 10 must be at night with a licensed adult driver.

This stage is when your teen should master the fundamentals. Each time they get in the car they should make sure everyone is buckled, mirrors are adjusted, phones are silenced, and that they are alert and calm.

Teen Driving Stage 2: Probationary

Once your child turns 17 and after they have completed their mandatory 50 hours, they enter the Probationary stage. At this point, your teen will be able to drive unsupervised. However, they will still have some restrictions.
Restrictions include:
– Being unable to drive between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
– Limited to 1 passenger, apart from dependents.
-Must display decals signaling that they do not have full privileges until they are 21 and are able to receive their Permanent Drivers License.

At this point, your child should have some confidence behind the wheel.

Teen Driving Stage 3: Full Privilege

Until they are 21 years of age, drivers will have a decal on their vehicle, noting the status of the driver. When they turn 21, they have full privileges. They are able to drive at any time of day or night and they are allowed to have as many passengers as there are seatbelts in their car.

Driving is high risk. It is important that you take the time to coach your teen while they are in their Learners phase. Prepare them well, so that when they are ready to drive on their own, they take the road with confidence and care.