Teen driving lessons
for NJ's GDL
The state-required 6-hour behind-the-wheel course for 16-year-olds, plus practice lessons and road test prep that build safe habits for life.
The 6-hour behind-the-wheel course
New Jersey lets teens get a special learner permit at 16 when they enroll in an approved behind-the-wheel course with a licensed driving school, have parent or guardian consent, and pass the MVC knowledge test and vision screening.
The approved course is six full hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in a dual-controlled vehicle. The instructor purchases the permit, and the MVC validates it for practice driving once the course is complete.
- One-on-one instruction with a licensed instructor
- Dual-control vehicle for safety
- Starts on quiet streets, then builds up
- Clear notes for parents on what to practice next
After the course: practice and the probationary license
For permits issued on or after February 1, 2025, drivers under 21 need at least 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 at night, certified on form BA-CSD. After at least six months on the permit and passing the road test, teens 17 and older can get a probationary license, which comes with GDL restrictions for at least a year.
Extra professional lessons help teens tackle the hard parts, like highway merges, night driving and parallel parking, so supervised hours with parents go further.
Built for Bergen County roads
We train teens on the roads they'll actually drive: downtown Hackensack, Route 4 and Route 17 jughandles, school zones, and the streets around the Lodi road test site.
You may also need
For Parents
Understand GDL, the 50-hour rule and BA-CSD, and how to make practice driving count.
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Road Test Prep
Mock tests, K-turns, parallel parking, and car rental for your road test.
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Highway & Defensive
Route 17, Route 4, the Parkway and I-80, plus defensive driving habits for life.
Learn more →Questions we hear
At what age can my teen start?
At 16, with parent or guardian consent, enrollment in an approved behind-the-wheel course, and passing the knowledge and vision tests.
Does the 6-hour course include time at the MVC?
No. NJ's Driver Manual says the six hours are exclusive of time spent at the MVC for permit purchasing or testing.
When can my teen take the road test?
Drivers under 21 must hold the permit at least six months, complete 50 supervised hours (10 at night) for permits issued on or after Feb. 1, 2025, and be at least 17.
Can you help after the 6-hour course?
Yes. Many families book extra lessons for highway driving and road test prep.
Ready to get behind the wheel?
Call us or request a lesson online and we'll help you choose the right plan.