What You Need to Know About New Jersey Licenses for Immigrants
New Jersey issues driver licenses to immigrants regardless of immigration status. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency. What you do need is proof of identity, proof of New Jersey residency, and a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The state does not check immigration status during the licensing process.
The license you receive is a standard New Jersey driver license — the same one any resident gets. It works for driving within the state and across state lines. However, it cannot be used as federal identification for air travel or entry to federal buildings. If you need federal ID, you would need a passport or other document from your country of origin.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey issues driver licenses to immigrants with an ITIN if you do not have a Social Security number, and does not verify immigration status.
- You must show proof of identity (passport, consular ID, or other government-issued document), proof of New Jersey residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or ITIN.
- The written test and road test are the same for all drivers; you can request the written test in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, or several other languages.
- A standard New Jersey driver license cannot be used for federal purposes like air travel, but a Real ID-compliant license can be — though Real ID requires additional documentation that may be harder to obtain as an immigrant.
Documents You Will Need to Bring
Bring your original documents or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. For proof of identity, bring a valid passport, a consular ID card (matrícula consular) issued by your country's embassy or consulate, or another government-issued photo ID from your home country. The document must not be expired.
For proof of New Jersey residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and a New Jersey address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can bring a letter from your landlord or a property manager on letterhead, signed and dated, confirming you live at that address.
You will also need either a Social Security number or an ITIN. If you have a Social Security number, bring your Social Security card or a document showing the number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can obtain an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS issues ITINs to people who need to file taxes but are not may be able to access for a Social Security number. You can explore for an ITIN by mail using IRS Form W-7, or in person at certain IRS offices and tax preparation agencies.
how the process works at the Motor Vehicle Commission
Visit your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office in person. You cannot complete the full process online. Bring all your documents listed above, plus a completed process for Driver License or Identification Card (form BA-298). You can read this form from the MVC website or fill it out at the office.
At the office, you will have your photo taken, provide your fingerprints, and pay the license fee. The current fee for a four-year driver license is $24.50 for residents age 21 and older. You will then take the written test on a computer. If English is not your first language, you can request the test in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Arabic. You have up to three attempts to pass the written test; if you do not pass on your first visit, you can return to take it again.
After you pass the written test, you will schedule a road test appointment. The road test is conducted in English, but you can bring a translator at your own cost if you need one. The examiner will assess your ability to operate the vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. If you pass, you will receive your license on the spot or by mail within a few days.
Real ID Compliance and Federal Use
A standard New Jersey driver license cannot be used for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic airplane, entering a federal building, or accessing a military base. If you need to use your license for these purposes, you can request a Real ID-compliant license instead.
A Real ID license requires additional documents beyond the standard process. You must show proof of your Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of your legal name and date of birth. You also need to show proof of your lawful status in the United States. This is where the process becomes more difficult for immigrants: lawful status can be shown with a passport, a visa, an employment authorization document (EAD), a green card, or certain other immigration documents. If you do not have one of these documents, you cannot obtain a Real ID license in New Jersey.
If you have a standard license and later obtain a document proving lawful status, you can return to the MVC and upgrade to a Real ID license. The upgrade fee is $6.50.
Taking the Written Test in Your Language
The written test covers New Jersey traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. It has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You have up to one hour to complete the test.
The test is available in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic. When you arrive at the MVC office, tell the staff which language you need. The test is administered on a computer, and the questions are presented in your chosen language. You do not need to request the language in advance; you can ask for it when you arrive.
If you are not sure about the meaning of a question, you can ask the test administrator to read it aloud again. You cannot use a dictionary, translator, or phone during the test. Study materials are available on the MVC website in multiple languages.
The Road Test and Getting Your License
The road test is conducted in English by an MVC examiner. It lasts about 20 minutes and takes place on public roads near the MVC office. The examiner will ask you to perform basic driving tasks such as starting the vehicle, turning, parking, and stopping. They will also assess whether you follow traffic laws and drive safely.
You must bring your own vehicle for the road test, and it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle's registration and insurance documents must be current. If you do not own a vehicle, some driving schools in New Jersey offer vehicles for road test appointments, though this costs extra.
If you do not pass the road test, you can schedule another appointment and try again. There is no limit to the number of attempts, but each attempt requires a new fee. After you pass, your license is typically mailed to you within a few days, though you may receive a temporary paper license to use when ready.
Working With a Driving School
You are not required to attend a driving school to get a license, but many immigrants find it helpful. A driving school can teach you New Jersey traffic laws, help you prepare for the written test, and provide instruction and a vehicle for the road test. Some driving schools specialize in working with non-English speakers and offer instruction in Spanish or other languages.
The cost of driving school varies widely depending on the school and the package you choose. A basic package with a few hours of instruction and one road test appointment might cost $300 to $500. More comprehensive packages with more instruction hours cost more. Some driving schools also offer translation services during the road test, though the examiner will still conduct the test in English.
If you choose to use a driving school, make sure it is licensed by the New Jersey MVC. You can check the MVC website for a list of licensed schools in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a New Jersey driver license if I am undocumented?
Yes. New Jersey does not check immigration status when issuing a driver license. You need proof of identity, proof of residency, and a Social Security number or ITIN. The state will not ask about your immigration status or report you to immigration authorities.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. explore using Form W-7, which you can submit by mail or in person at certain IRS offices and tax preparation agencies. The process takes several weeks. Once you have an ITIN, you can use it in place of a Social Security number when explore for a driver license.
Can I take the written test in Spanish?
Yes. The written test is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Tell the MVC staff which language you need when you arrive at the office. You do not need to request it in advance.
Do I need a Real ID license to drive in New Jersey?
No. A standard driver license is sufficient for driving. You only need a Real ID license if you want to use your license for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic airplane or entering a federal building. A Real ID license requires proof of lawful status in the United States, which may be difficult to obtain if you are undocumented.
What happens if I fail the road test?
You can schedule another road test appointment and try again. There is no limit to the number of attempts. Each attempt requires a new fee. Many people pass on their second or third try, especially if they practice with a driving school or an experienced driver between attempts.