On January 31st, 2025, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) announced a change in permit driving requirements for obtaining a license. Signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on January 8th, 2024, this legislation aims to make the roads safer by ensuring young drivers gain more experience behind the wheel. Effective February 1st, 2025, all permit drivers under 21 will be required to log a minimum of 50 hours of driving with a supervising adult, including 10 hours at night. To be issued a probationary license, permit drivers must provide a signed certification from a parent, guardian, or supervising driver attesting to the applicant’s completion of 50 total hours. 

Not all students are pleased with the new requirements. Sophomore Ethan Baker argues, “You don’t need that many hours to drive, plus you should be practicing on your own.” Another sophomore, Alexander Noerr, comments, “While I may not have my permit yet, I would like to say that these rules seem quite restrictive. We do not need further government meddling in our private affairs.”

The NJMVC will begin requiring “Certification of Supervised Driving” forms at Licensing Centers starting August 1st, 2025—six months after the law was put into effect. This delay aligns with the six-month permit-holding period required before taking a road test. However, current permit holders do not worry—if you received your permit before February 1st, 2025, the “Certification of Supervised Driving” is not required to get your license.