Driving Tests

Moving to New Jersey: Transfer Your Driver's License Within 60 Days

informational·how to guide·Published May 11, 2026

How long do you have to transfer your driver's license after moving to New Jersey?

You have 60 days after you move to New Jersey to transfer your out-of-state license, or less if the license expires first. Book an out-of-state transfer with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and buy a $10 transfer permit. At 18 or older, a valid, non-provisional U.S. license lets you skip the knowledge test and the road test. Your vehicle title and registration have the same 60-day limit.

Where these New Jersey transfer rules come from

The rules come from the MVC page Moving To New Jersey, the MVC 6 Points of ID page and the New Jersey Driver Manual (2026). Details on expired licenses, fees and REAL ID come from the MVC FAQ for first-time New Jersey drivers and the MVC REAL ID FAQ. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (nj.gov/mvc) before you drive.

How the 60-day limit works

The 60 days start on the day you move. If your out-of-state license or your vehicle registration expires before day 60, transfer it before it expires. That earlier date is your deadline. A commercial driver license (CDL) has a shorter limit of 30 days.

Check that you have the rule right with our free question on the new-resident car deadline.

Do you take tests when you transfer to New Jersey?

You are 18 or older and have a current, valid, non-provisional license in good standing from a U.S. state, D.C. or a U.S. territory

You do not take the knowledge test or the road test. You take a vision screening only.

You are 17 (not yet 18) and have a valid out-of-state license

You get a New Jersey probationary license with the limits in the section below. The Driver Manual gives the test waiver to applicants 18 or older, so ask the MVC when you book whether you must take a test.

You are under 17

Out-of-state drivers under 18 must follow the New Jersey Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program. Start with the New Jersey permit steps for new drivers.

Your license is from another country

You must pass the knowledge test and a vision screening, and you may need to pass a road test.

Steps to transfer your out-of-state license

1
Collect your documents
Gather each document in the list below before you book.
2
Complete form BA-208
Fill in the BA-208 application form and bring it with you. You need it to apply for a permit or a driver license.
3
Book a transfer from out-of-state
Make an appointment at an MVC Licensing Center for a transfer from out-of-state. The same appointment can cover your license and your vehicle registration.
4
Buy the transfer permit
Pay $10 for the transfer permit for an auto license. The Driver Manual calls this step an examination permit.
5
Take the vision screening and the photo
The photo must show your full face, from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin.
6
Give up your old license
The MVC keeps your out-of-state license. At 18 or older, you get a four-year basic New Jersey license.

What to bring to the MVC

Your current out-of-state license.
Proof of age and identity: the 6 Points of ID, on paper only. Bring originals or certified copies, not laminated.
Proof of your New Jersey home address, on paper or in electronic form. A standard license needs one proof. A REAL ID needs two.
Your Social Security number, an ITIN or an affidavit.
A certified translation for each document that is not in English.
Legal proof of a name change, if your name is not the same as on your birth certificate.
If you are under 18: form MR-24, a statement from a parent or guardian that certifies your address, counts as proof of residency.

What are the 6 Points of ID?

You need at least one primary document and at least one secondary document, with at least six points of ID in total. The MVC online document selector shows which documents you can use before you go. Our guide to the New Jersey 6 Points of ID goes into more detail.

Moving to New Jersey at 17: probationary license rules

At 17, a valid out-of-state license becomes a New Jersey probationary license for one year, and the New Jersey GDL rules apply to you. The limits below apply to every probationary driver under 21. GDL decals cost $4 a pair at a motor vehicle agency. A broken GDL limit can bring a $100 fine. Try our free question on GDL driving hours to check the night limit.

GDL limits on a New Jersey probationary license

No driving between 11:01 pm and 5:00 am.
No hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other electronic devices.
Passengers are limited to your dependents and one other person, unless a parent or guardian is in the car.
You and all passengers must wear seat belts.
Display a reflective GDL decal on the front and the rear license plate of each car you drive.

Transferring your car title and registration

For the vehicle, bring your proof of identity (usually your driver's license), the original title and your insurance information. Complete the Universal Title Application (form OS/SS-UTA) and the Vehicle Registration Application (form BA-49). The title transfer fee is $60 for a standard vehicle, and you also pay a registration fee.

What if your license is from another country?

Visitors to the U.S. may drive for up to one year with a foreign license, if they also carry an International Driving Permit from their country of residence. If you are not a U.S. citizen and have moved to New Jersey, you can transfer a foreign license for a standard New Jersey license with the required documents. Read our guide to a New Jersey foreign driver's license before you book.

Key takeaways

Transfer your license, title and registration within 60 days of your move, or before your license or registration expires if that comes first.
At 18 or older, a valid, non-provisional U.S. license means no knowledge test and no road test. You take a vision screening and give up your old license.
Bring your license, your 6 Points of ID on paper, proof of address, your Social Security number, ITIN or an affidavit, and form BA-208.
At 17, you get a one-year probationary license with the New Jersey GDL limits.
Next step: practice the New Jersey rules of the road on the free New Jersey basic auto learner permit practice test.

Moving to New Jersey: common questions

Can I transfer an expired out-of-state license to New Jersey?

The MVC FAQ for first-time drivers says that a license that is still valid, or that expired less than one year ago, qualifies for an out-of-state transfer appointment. If it expired more than one year ago, you start over with a first-time license. The moving page asks for a current, valid license, so ask the MVC about your case before you book.

How much does it cost to transfer a driver's license to New Jersey?

For an auto license, the transfer permit costs $10. At 18 or older, the four-year license then costs $24 for a standard license or $35 for a REAL ID. If you also bring a car, the title transfer is $60 for a standard vehicle, plus the registration fee. All amounts are in U.S. dollars, as of 2026.

Do I need a REAL ID when I transfer my license to New Jersey?

No. A standard New Jersey license is valid for driving, and you do not need a REAL ID to drive. Federal rules ask for a REAL ID, or another accepted ID such as a passport, to fly within the U.S. and to enter some federal facilities. If you want a REAL ID, bring two proofs of address.

Can I transfer a Puerto Rico driver's license to New Jersey?

Yes. At 18 or older, a current, valid, non-provisional Puerto Rico license qualifies for the transfer without a knowledge test or a road test. You must also bring a certified driver's abstract with the license. The other rules are the same: 60 days, the 6 Points of ID and a $10 transfer permit.

What if I have no driver's license when I move to New Jersey?

You can get a New Jersey non-driver identification (ID) card. To drive, you must complete the New Jersey Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program. It gives driving privileges in stages, with a period of supervised driving before you get a basic license.