New Jersey safe driving practice questions
3 questions below test New Jersey’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The New Jersey permit knowledge test has 50 questions in total and needs 40 correct (80%) to pass.
New Jersey law
3 questions on New Jersey’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. Under New Jersey's seat belt law, who must wear a seatbelt in a passenger vehicle?
- AOnly passengers under 18
- BOnly the driver
- The driver and all passengers
- DOnly front-seat occupants
Answer: The driver and all passengers. The New Jersey Driver Manual states that under state law, the driver and all passengers of a passenger vehicle must wear a seatbelt; failure of a driver, front-seat passenger, and children under 18 to wear a seatbelt is a primary offense.
Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Buckle up – New Jersey’s Seat Belt Law
2. While driving on a New Jersey public road, using a handheld cellular telephone is:
- ALegal for any call under one minute
- BAllowed only on highways
- CAllowed if under 25 mph
- A primary offense that police may stop you for
Answer: A primary offense that police may stop you for. The New Jersey Driver Manual states that using a handheld cellular telephone or texting device is a primary offense; motorists may use a hands-free cellular telephone if it does not interfere with required safety equipment or safe operation.
Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Cell Phones
3. While driving under a New Jersey special learner or examination permit, using cell phones or other electronic devices is:
- AAllowed hands-free only
- Not allowed for hand-held or hands-free devices
- CAllowed after 5 a.m.
- DAllowed with a supervising driver's permission
Answer: Not allowed for hand-held or hands-free devices. The New Jersey Driver Manual lists permit restrictions including no using hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other electronic devices.
Source: New Jersey Driver Manual — Graduated Driver License (GDL) — Permit Restrictions
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the New Jersey items above for 13 questions in total.
1. How far ahead should you normally be looking while driving?
- AOnly at the vehicle directly in front
- BAs far as your headlights reach, at all speeds
- CJust past the hood of your car
- About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead
Answer: About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead. Looking well ahead gives time to spot hazards and react smoothly instead of braking or swerving at the last moment.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
2. When must low-beam headlights be turned on in most jurisdictions?
- AWhenever driving above 45 mph
- BOnly during heavy snowfall
- From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- DOnly when driving on dark rural roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Lighting requirements — headlights
3. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
More New Jersey topics
Other New Jersey rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current New Jersey rules
Statutes and handbooks change. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is authoritative for New Jersey safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit New Jersey Motor Vehicle CommissionCommon questions
About New Jersey safe driving rules and this practice set.