What's the Passing Score on the New Jersey Permit Test?
The New Jersey MVC's written knowledge test requires answering at least 40 of 50 questions correctly, an 80% passing threshold, scored as a single combined result rather than separate sections.
How the score is calculated
An 80% threshold on 50 questions means you can miss up to 10 and still pass, but missing more typically means a retest is required.
The MVC sets and can adjust this threshold, so confirm the current passing score on the official NJ MVC website before your appointment.
Setting a practice target
Since 80% is the minimum, a reasonable practice goal is to consistently score 90% or higher across all 35 New Jersey permit topic areas before your appointment, giving yourself a safety margin.
Our practice tests show your score as a percentage immediately after each set, along with a topic-by-topic breakdown so you know exactly which rules to review again.
Where New Jersey applicants commonly lose points
The graduated licensing program's rules — the red reflective decal requirement, the 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew, and the one-passenger limit — trip up applicants who assume New Jersey's GDL only applies to 16- and 17-year-olds, when it actually applies to any first-time driver under 21.
The state's zero-tolerance underage DWI threshold (0.01% BAC, essentially any detectable trace of alcohol) is stricter than the 0.02% figure used in many other states and a common source of missed questions.
Reviewing the explanation after every practice question, not just whether you got it right, is the fastest way to close these gaps before test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions can I miss on the New Jersey permit test?
With a passing score of 80% on 50 questions, you can miss up to 10 and still pass. Confirm the current format and threshold with the New Jersey MVC.
Is the passing score different for a special learner's permit versus an examination permit?
No — both permit types require passing the same 50-question, 80% knowledge test; they differ in the driver-education requirement leading up to it, not the test itself.
Does completing driver's education change the passing score I need?
Driver's education affects the path to the permit for 16-year-old applicants, but the knowledge test's passing score itself is set by the MVC and doesn't change based on driver education.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free New Jersey permit practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-20