NJ Permit Test cheat sheet

New Jersey uses a Graduated Driver License (GDL) for new drivers under 21: a student learner's permit, then a probationary license, then an unrestricted basic license.

Student learner's permit eligibility: at least 16 years old, enrolled in or completed an approved behind-the-wheel driver education course, and passing vision, knowledge, and road tests.

Permit holders must display two red reflective decals on the front and rear license plates and may drive only with a supervising adult who is at least 21 and has held a NJ license for at least 3 years.

Probationary license restrictions: no driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., no more than one passenger who is not a household member, and no handheld or hands-free cell phone use except emergencies.

A probationary driver must be at least 17 to obtain the license and must have held the permit for at least 6 months (or 3 months with a completed driver education course) before testing.

Seat belt law: all front-seat occupants and all rear-seat passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt; the driver is responsible for passengers under 18, and children under 8 years and under 57 inches must use an approved child restraint.

Speed limits: 25 mph in school zones and residential areas unless posted otherwise, 35 mph on state highways in business/residential districts, 50 mph on other state highways, and 65 mph on interstates unless posted.

Right-of-way and passing: yield to vehicles already in an intersection, to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and to traffic on the right at an uncontrolled intersection; pass on the left and never cross a solid yellow line to pass.

Traffic signals and signs: a flashing red light means stop and proceed when safe; a flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution; a steady yellow means stop unless stopping cannot be done safely.

DWI thresholds in New Jersey: 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and older, 0.01% for drivers under 21 (zero tolerance), and 0.04% for commercial driver license holders.

Following distance under normal conditions is at least 3 seconds; increase to 4 or more seconds in rain, at night, or when following large vehicles that block the view ahead.

Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water; to recover, ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and steer straight until traction returns.

If a vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid hard braking; for a rear-wheel skid, steer into the skid.

In fog, use low-beam headlights, reduce speed, and increase following distance; high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility.

New Jersey's Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or highway maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, or slow down if a lane change is not possible.

At a railroad crossing, never stop on the tracks; if gates are down or lights flashing, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail and wait until signals stop.

Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right of way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the driver's lane and the adjacent lane.

Sharing the road with cyclists: leave at least 4 feet of space when passing a bicyclist and check for cyclists before opening a car door into traffic.

If your vehicle has an airbag-equipped steering wheel, hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel to reduce injury risk.

Hand signals: left arm straight out means left turn; left arm bent upward at the elbow means right turn; left arm bent downward means slow or stop.

When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or separates lanes where lane changes are discouraged; a broken white line separates lanes where lane changes are permitted.

A yellow line separates traffic moving in opposite directions; a solid yellow line on your side means no passing, while a broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe.

A left turn on red is permitted from a one-way street onto a one-way street after stopping, unless a sign prohibits it; a right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless posted otherwise.

A roundabout requires yielding to traffic already in the circle; enter to the right, do not stop inside the circle, and use your right turn signal to exit.

A five-sided sign is a school zone warning; an eight-sided sign is a stop sign; a diamond-shaped sign warns of hazards; a pennant-shaped sign marks a no-passing zone.

When a school bus with flashing red lights is stopped on a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop; on a divided highway, only traffic in the same direction as the bus must stop.

If you are involved in a crash in New Jersey, you must stop, render aid, and report the crash to police; report a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage over $500.