NEW JERSEY WILL BEGIN SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS FOR DRIVING LICENSES REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS ON MAY 1

TRENTON - Beginning May 1, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) will expand the availability of standard driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards to include all New Jerseyans regardless of immigration status, implementing a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy in December. 2019.

"Increased access to a driver's license will go a long way to improve the lives of many New Jerseyans and improve public safety," said MVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton. "Our roads are safer when drivers are trained, tested, licensed and insured."

All those seeking new licenses will be required to complete the state's Graduated Driver's License program and will receive a standard New Jersey driver's license or ID when requirements are met.

The Graduated Driver License program is described in detail on the MVC First Driver License / ID web page. NJMVC offers resources in English and Spanish that include:

These updated document requirements were recently posted on the MVC website in English and Spanish. Applicants will need to prove their identity (using “6-point identification”) and New Jersey residency, and provide a social security number or ITIN. Starting June 1, applicants will have the option of providing an affidavit in lieu of a Social Security number or ITIN.

After successfully purchasing a permit, applicants will need to complete the remaining requirements of the Graduated Driver's License program, including passing a knowledge test, a period of supervised driving practice, and passing a road test.

Qualified applicants who have the required documents must schedule an appointment online at NJMVC.gov to obtain their initial permit. Customers are not required to call or report to any MVC location to make an appointment. Appointments are added every day, so customers need to check the website frequently and try various licensing centers.

While MVC is adding new permit appointments, there will be an initial rush for appointments and some scheduling delays due to the number of increased requests. This will not affect other types of appointments or transactions that are widely available on the website.

"Another 400-450,000 New Jerseyans may be eligible for a license as of May 1," Chief Fulton said. “This will increase the demand for new permit designations and, later, knowledge tests. Over the next several months, New Jersey clients who obtain their first driver's license or non-driver identification and who are not part of a high school or driving school program will experience long waits for appointments. "

To increase in-person capacity and speed up transactions, MVC has launched several new initiatives: