Quick Answer
Yes — any New Jersey resident can get a standard driver license regardless of immigration status, under P.L.2019, c.271. To get one:
- Book an MVC appointment online and buy a $10 permit with 6 points of ID, 1 proof of New Jersey address, and an SSN, ITIN, or signed affidavit.
- Pass the knowledge and vision tests, then practice with a supervising driver for 3 months (6 if you're under 21).
- Pass the road test, drive 1 year on a probationary license, then upgrade to a basic license ($24).
The standard license is not REAL ID, so it can't be used to board domestic flights.
Can You Get a Driver's License in New Jersey Without an SSN?
Yes. Since May 1, 2021, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) has issued standard driver licenses to residents regardless of immigration status. The law, P.L.2019, c.271 (Assembly bill A4743), was signed on December 19, 2019. Applicants prove identity with 6 points of ID, show 1 New Jersey address, and give an SSN, ITIN, or affidavit.
The law created two kinds of New Jersey licenses: a REAL ID license for people who can prove lawful status, and a standard license for everyone else who proves identity, age, and New Jersey residency. The driving tests and the graduated licensing steps are the same for both. See the MVC's announcement of the May 2021 rollout and the text of bill A4743.
Can You Use an ITIN for a New Jersey License?
Yes. New Jersey asks every applicant for an SSN, an ITIN, or an affidavit. An ITIN works: bring an IRS or New Jersey Division of Taxation document showing your name and ITIN, or a New Jersey tax refund that displays it. If you can't get an SSN and have no ITIN, you can sign the MVC's affidavit instead.
- The affidavit must be notarized or signed in front of an MVC agency employee, and false statements are punishable by law.
- Don't have an ITIN yet? See how to apply for an ITIN — but you don't need one to get a New Jersey license.
Which Documents Count Toward New Jersey's 6 Points of ID?
New Jersey requires at least 1 primary and 1 secondary document that add up to 6 points, plus 1 proof of New Jersey address. Documents the MVC lists for the standard license include a passport from your country of citizenship, a birth certificate from any country, and an ID card issued by a consulate or national government.
- 1Identity — examples from the MVC's standard-license list: a foreign passport from your country of citizenship, an original birth certificate from any country, a consular or national ID card, a foreign photo driver license (presented with another government document), or a school photo ID with a transcript from any country.
- 2New Jersey address (1 document with your name and home address) — a lease, a bank statement from the last 60 days, a utility or credit card bill from the last 90 days, government mail from the last 6 months, or a deed.
- 3SSN, ITIN, or affidavit — see the ITIN section above.
Documents not in English need a certified English translation, and identity documents must be paper originals. Check point values on the MVC's 6 Points of ID page before your appointment.
How Much Does a New Jersey License Cost?
New Jersey charges $10 for an auto examination permit and $24 for an initial basic auto license, the same fees every applicant pays. Renewing a basic license costs $24 and a duplicate costs $11. Driving lessons and the supervising driver's time are extra, and the MVC does not list a separate fee for the knowledge test.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Auto examination permit | $10 |
| Initial basic auto license | $24 |
| Renewal | $24 |
| Duplicate license | $11 |
Fees come from the MVC license and permit fee page; confirm current amounts before you go.
How Do You Get a New Jersey License Step by Step?
New Jersey's graduated license process has 5 steps for adults: book an appointment online, buy the $10 permit with your documents, pass the knowledge and vision tests, practice supervised for 3 months if you're 21 or older, and pass the road test. You then drive 1 year on a probationary license before the basic license.
- Step 1: Schedule an appointment for an initial permit online at NJMVC.gov — the MVC asks applicants not to walk in.
- Step 2: Bring your 6 points of ID, 1 address proof, and SSN, ITIN, or affidavit, and buy the permit ($10).
- Step 3: Pass the knowledge and vision tests.
- Step 4: Practice with a supervising driver who is 21 or older with at least 3 years of driving experience — 3 months if you're over 21, 6 months if younger. You have 2 years from the permit to finish.
- Step 5: Pass the road test, drive unsupervised for 1 year on a probationary license, then upgrade to a basic license online.
Details are on the MVC's first-license page.
Does New Jersey Share Standard-License Data With Immigration Agents?
Not without a legal order. Under P.L.2019, c.271, documents and personal information from standard-license applicants are confidential and are not a government record. The MVC may not disclose them for an immigration investigation, arrest, or detention without the applicant's consent, a court order, or a subpoena. Knowingly disclosing them is a fourth-degree crime.
The same law lets the MVC exchange citizenship or immigration information with federal authorities where certain federal laws require it. For the current federal picture, see our update on the 2026 executive order on immigration and finances.
What Can You Do With a New Jersey Standard License?
A New Jersey standard license lets you drive legally and buy auto insurance, just like a basic license. It is not REAL ID, so TSA airport checkpoints and secure federal facilities won't accept it. It also does not prove immigration status or work authorization, and it is not a document for crossing the U.S. border.
- Drive legally anywhere in New Jersey and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- For air travel, carry your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID; see flying with an ITIN
Out of state, Wyoming treats any license or privilege card issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, Florida and Tennessee restrict some of them, and Georgia bars drivers without lawful status. See which states restrict these licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment for my first New Jersey permit?
Yes. The MVC asks applicants to schedule the initial permit appointment online at NJMVC.gov rather than calling or walking in to a location.
How long do I have to finish after I get my permit?
Two years. Once you have your permit, you have 2 years to complete the supervised practice and road test and get your probationary license, or you must buy a new permit.
What if my documents aren't in English?
Bring a certified English translation with each document that isn't in English. Identity documents must be paper originals, not copies or photos.
Who can sign the affidavit instead of an SSN or ITIN?
Applicants who are ineligible for a Social Security number and don't have an ITIN. The affidavit must be notarized or signed in front of an MVC employee.
Can I fly with a New Jersey standard license?
No. The standard license is not REAL ID compliant, so TSA does not accept it at airport checkpoints. Use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
New Jersey is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Nearby, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland do too, while Pennsylvania does not. Rules differ: Delaware issues a driving privilege card that isn't valid as ID, and Maryland requires recent state tax filings.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →