Driving Tests

NJ 6 Points of ID: What to Bring to the MVC for a Permit or License

informational·how to guide·Published June 6, 2026

What documents do I need for 6 Points of ID in New Jersey?

You need at least one primary document, at least one secondary document and at least six points in all. Bring them with one proof of New Jersey address (two for a REAL ID), a Social Security number, ITIN or affidavit, and form BA-208. Identity documents must be paper originals or certified copies. Proofs of address can be electronic.

Where the New Jersey 6 Points of ID rules come from

The rules come from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) 6 Points of ID page and the New Jersey Driver Manual (2026). The REAL ID rules come from the MVC REAL ID FAQ. The MVC first-time license FAQ, standard license sheet, young adult page and form BA-412D add details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (nj.gov/mvc) before you drive.

What to bring to the MVC

6 Points of ID. At least one primary document, at least one secondary document and at least six points in all.
Proof of New Jersey address. One for a standard license, two for a REAL ID.
Social Security number, ITIN or affidavit. Use the affidavit only if you cannot get an SSN and you have no ITIN. A REAL ID needs proof of your full Social Security number.
Form BA-208. You complete it to apply for or renew a permit, driver license or non-driver ID. A special learner permit through a school uses form BA-412D.

How do the 6 Points of ID work?

Each document on the MVC list is worth a set number of points, and the values for a standard license and a REAL ID are different. Your set must include at least one primary and one secondary document. Count your points with the charts in the Driver Manual or the online Standard Document selector (for a REAL ID, the REAL ID Document selector).
A US passport or passport card and a certified copy of a US birth certificate are primary documents. A Social Security card with SSA verification is a secondary document. Each group has more documents, so check the selector.

What condition must each document meet?

Bring unlaminated originals or certified copies in English, with the required state or municipal seal.
Bring paper or hard copies only. The MVC does not accept electronic copies of identity documents.
A document in another language needs a certified translation.
For a standard license, no primary or secondary document can be expired more than three years.
If you are under 18, bring a consent form signed by a parent or guardian.

How many proofs of address do I need, and can they be electronic?

A standard license needs one proof of New Jersey address. A REAL ID needs two. Bank or credit union statements, utility or credit card bills and unexpired leases or rental agreements count. A statement or bill must be from the past year, and each proof must show your name and your home address. Electronic and paper versions are both accepted.
If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can certify your address on the MR-24 Parent-Guardian Consent Form. A school report card or transcript from the past two years also counts.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You have an SSN

Give it on your application. The MVC sends it to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify it. If the check fails, a Social Security card (no copies) is one document that you can bring.

You have no SSN but you have an ITIN

Bring an official document from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the New Jersey Division of Taxation that shows your name and ITIN, or a New Jersey income tax refund that shows it.

You cannot get an SSN and you have no ITIN

Give a signed affidavit. Notarize it, or sign it in front of an MVC agency employee. The form is on the initial license page of the MVC website. An ITIN is the other choice: it can take around 7 weeks, and you can get it free directly from the IRS.

Do I need a REAL ID?

No. Getting a REAL ID is not mandatory, and you do not need one to drive. A standard license is no longer accepted as identification to fly within the U.S., so a REAL ID matters if you want to fly with your license.
The MVC sums up the REAL ID rule as 2 + 1 + 6: two proofs of address, one proof of your full Social Security number and six points of ID. You also prove that your presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law. As of 2026, a REAL ID costs $35 and a standard license $24 (U.S. dollars). Get it in person at an appointment.

When do you show these documents?

At 16, you can get a special learner permit through a high school or licensed driving school, with a parent's or guardian's signed consent. You complete form BA-412D and present your documents at the school, and your instructor buys the permit at an MVC Licensing Center. At 17 or older, you can get an examination permit at any Licensing Center. This guide to both learner's permits compares them.
At the road test, only original documents are accepted. After you pass, take your permit, the authorization and your 6 Points of ID to a Licensing Center for your license. The road test guide covers the rest.

How to get ready before your MVC visit

1
Pick your documents
Use the MVC document selector to reach at least six points with one primary and one secondary document.
2
Check each document
Check for lamination, a missing seal, a plain photocopy or, for a standard license, an expiry more than three years ago. Order a replacement early if one fails.
3
Collect your proof of address
Get one proof, or two for a REAL ID, with your name and home address on it.
4
Settle your SSN, ITIN or affidavit
Bring your SSN, your ITIN proof, or a signed affidavit.
5
Complete your form
Fill out form BA-208, or form BA-412D for a special learner permit through a school.
6
Book your appointment
Book online at NJMVC.gov. Only the MVC schedules appointments, so do not pay anyone to get you one.

What if a document is lost, or my name changed?

Some requests for replacement documents take six to eight weeks or longer, so start early.
If your legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate, bring legal proof of the change: a certified marriage or civil union certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order that links the new name to the old one. Once you are licensed, you must report a legal name change within two weeks.

Key takeaways

Bring 6 Points of ID, proof of address, an SSN, ITIN or affidavit, and form BA-208.
Identity documents must be paper: unlaminated originals or certified copies, in English. Proofs of address can be electronic.
A standard license needs one proof of address. A REAL ID needs two, and you do not need it to drive.
Next step: practice on the free New Jersey basic auto learner permit practice test.

New Jersey 6 Points of ID: common questions

Can I bring a photocopy of my birth certificate to the MVC?

No. A plain photocopy does not count. Bring the original or a certified copy with the required state or municipal seal. A certified copy of a US birth certificate must be filed with a state office of vital statistics or the equivalent agency in your state of birth. Certified copies of New Jersey records come from the issuing municipality or the State Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Can I show my bank statement on my phone?

Yes. The MVC accepts proofs of address in electronic or paper form. The statement must come from a bank or credit union, show your name and home address, and be issued within the past year. Your identity documents for the 6 Points of ID must still be on paper.

What if my document is not in English?

Bring a certified translation in English with it. A translation counts when a government entity issues it, such as the consulate or ministry that issued the document, or when a qualified translator signs it with a seal. A competent translator over 18 can also sign a certification with set details.

What does my parent need to sign if I am under 18?

You must present a consent form signed by a parent or guardian with your application. For a special learner permit through a high school or driving school, form BA-412D has a parent or guardian consent section with a signature line.

Can I use my foreign passport or foreign driver license as ID?

Yes, for a standard license. A passport from your country of citizenship is a primary document on the MVC standard list. A photo driver license from another country also counts as primary, but only with another government-issued document. The basic license is open to all eligible New Jerseyans regardless of immigration status.

Can I use an expired passport?

For a standard license, yes, if it expired no more than three years ago. The MVC standard list accepts no primary or secondary document that is expired more than three years. For a REAL ID, check it in the REAL ID Document selector.