NJ Permit Test key terms

New Jersey's three-stage licensing system for new drivers: a learner permit, then a probationary license, then a basic license. Each stage adds privileges only after the driver meets age, holding-period, and practice requirements.

The first GDL stage, issued after passing the knowledge and vision tests. It lets a supervised beginner drive only with a licensed adult in the front passenger seat and carries strict curfew and passenger limits.

A permit issued to a person 16 years or older who has passed the knowledge and vision tests but has not yet held a learner permit. It allows driving only while supervised by an adult licensed driver.

The second GDL stage, available after holding a permit for the required period and completing supervised practice. It still restricts nighttime driving and the number of young passengers carried.

The unrestricted driver license issued after a driver completes all GDL stages and meets the minimum age for full privileges. It removes the curfew and passenger limits that apply to earlier stages.

The licensed adult who must sit in the front passenger seat whenever a permit holder drives. The supervisor must meet the state's age and licensing requirements and must not be impaired.

The written or computerized exam on New Jersey traffic laws, signs, and safe driving that a candidate must pass to receive a permit. It is usually taken before the vision and road tests.

The eye exam required before a permit or license is issued. A candidate must meet a minimum standard of visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to pass.

The behind-the-wheel skills exam in which an examiner scores a driver on basic maneuvers, observation, and control. Passing it is required to move from a permit to a probationary license.

New Jersey's document standard for proving identity when applying for a permit or license. A candidate must present documents totaling at least six points, such as a birth certificate plus other approved records.

The state's method of tracking traffic convictions by assigning points to violations. Accumulating enough points triggers surcharges, suspension, or required safe-driving courses.

An extra fee the state charges a driver for certain violations or for accumulating too many points. Surcharges are billed separately from fines and are paid over several years.

A temporary loss of driving privileges ordered for violations such as too many points, DUI, or driving uninsured. Driving during a suspension is itself a serious offense.

Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit, or while impaired by alcohol or drugs. New Jersey penalties include fines, license loss, and possible jail.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, used to measure impairment. New Jersey's legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08 percent, with a lower limit for drivers under 21.

The rule that drivers under 21 may not drive with any detectable alcohol in their system. A violation can lead to license suspension even if the level is below the adult limit.

The legal principle that by driving on New Jersey roads a person agrees to submit to a breath or blood test when lawfully arrested for impaired driving. Refusal brings automatic license penalties.

A rule requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching emergency, tow, or highway maintenance vehicles stopped with lights flashing on the roadside. It protects workers and responders.

The legal priority to proceed first at an intersection or crossing. Drivers must yield it to pedestrians in crosswalks, to traffic already in the intersection, and in other situations defined by law.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Drivers stop fully, then proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive together, the driver on the left yields.

A solid white line painted across a lane to mark where a vehicle must stop at a sign or signal. Drivers must stop before the line, not past it into the crosswalk.

A marked or unmarked path where pedestrians cross a roadway. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not block it while waiting at a light.

The space a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead. A common guide is the three-second rule, which should be increased in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large trucks.

A method of judging safe following distance by counting seconds between the moment the car ahead passes a fixed object and the moment your car reaches it. Three seconds is the minimum in good conditions.

Loss of tire contact with the road when water builds up under the tires. The vehicle can slide out of control; the remedy is to ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking.

A loss of traction in which the tires slide instead of rolling. Drivers should steer in the direction they want the front of the car to go and avoid slamming the brakes.

An approved safe-driving class that can reduce points or insurance costs for eligible drivers. Completion is sometimes required after a violation or a high point total.

New Jersey's requirement that drivers and front-seat passengers wear seat belts, and that children ride in approved child restraints. Officers may enforce it as a primary offense.

A federally approved car seat or booster seat required for young children, matched to the child's age, height, and weight. New Jersey requires a rear-facing seat for children under two.

A rule allowing police to stop a vehicle solely for a violation such as an unbelted occupant or phone use, without needing another reason for the stop.

Operating a vehicle while attention is diverted by a phone, food, grooming, or other activity. New Jersey bans handheld phone use and texting while driving.

The red, white, and blue route marker with a number that identifies an Interstate highway. Even-numbered routes generally run east-west and odd-numbered routes generally run north-south.

A sign showing the number and type of a road, such as a U.S. route or county route. Shape and color help drivers identify the road system at a glance.

A small green sign along a highway showing distance from a starting point. It helps drivers report their location in an emergency and estimate travel distance.

The white X-shaped sign marking a railroad crossing. Drivers must slow down, look both ways, and yield to trains; a stop is required when lights flash or a gate lowers.

An area near a school where lower speed limits and special signs apply during posted hours. Drivers must watch for children and obey crossing guards.

The maximum lawful speed on a road under good conditions. Driving faster than the posted limit is unsafe and illegal even if traffic seems to move faster.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers should turn their head to check it before changing lanes and avoid lingering in another vehicle's blind spot.