Driving Tests

NJ GDL Violations: Fines, Probationary Driver Program and Phone Rules

informational·how to guide·Published May 22, 2026

What happens if a GDL driver breaks the rules in New Jersey?

A New Jersey GDL driver who breaks any GDL restriction faces a $100 fine, and the Driver Manual (2026) also names a possible suspension. The restrictions include no driving from 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., no phone use, a passenger limit, seat belts and GDL decals. Two or more moving violation convictions totaling 4 or more points in the first two years lead to the Probationary Driver Program.

Where the New Jersey GDL rules come from

This guide uses the MVC GDL safety page, the New Jersey Driver Manual (2026) and the MVC Probationary Driver Program page, as of 2026. It also uses the MVC Probationary Driver Program FAQ, the MVC points schedule and the MVC Share the Keys guide (2025). All amounts are in U.S. dollars. Confirm the rules with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (nj.gov/mvc) before you drive.

GDL restrictions in New Jersey that carry the $100 fine

GDL restrictions in New Jersey that carry the $100 fine
Restriction	What a GDL driver must do
Driving hours (under 21)	Do not drive from 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Phones	Do not use a hand-held or hands-free phone or any other electronic device
Passengers (under 21)	Carry only your own dependents plus one more person, unless a parent or guardian is in the car
Seat belts	Wear a seat belt, and make sure all passengers wear one
Decals (under 21)	Show a GDL decal on the upper left corner of the front and rear plates

How much is the fine for a GDL violation?

The fine is $100 for each failure to follow a GDL restriction, whether you hold a special learner permit, an examination permit or a probationary license. A suspension of driving privilege is also a possible penalty. A driver with no decals on the plates faces the same $100 fine. The GDL decal rules explain where to buy decals and how to place them. A probationary license holder aged 16 to 20 also cannot plea bargain a point-carrying offense down to an offense without points.

Phone rules for New Jersey GDL drivers

A GDL driver may not use a hand-held phone, a hands-free phone or any other electronic device while driving. The Driver Manual (2026) calls this a violation of GDL restrictions, so the $100 GDL fine applies. Practice the rule with the question on GDL drivers and electronic devices. Drivers with a basic license follow the general law: hands-free calling is legal, but a hand-held phone is banned, and police can stop you for it alone. The fine is $200 to $400 for a first offense.

Point values for common New Jersey violations

Point values for common New Jersey violations
Violation	Points
Speeding 1 to 14 mph over the limit	2
Speeding 15 to 29 mph over the limit	4
Reckless driving	5
Improper passing of a school bus	5
Hand-held phone: third conviction within 10 years of the second, and each later one	3

How points add up on a New Jersey record

The MVC adds points to your record when you are convicted of a moving violation, and more serious violations carry more points. A traffic violation in another state adds 2 points to your New Jersey record. For a new driver in the two-year probationary period, 4 points from two or more moving violations are enough for the Probationary Driver Program. A driver with 12 to 14 points in a 24-month period gets a Notice of Scheduled Suspension by mail.

What is the Probationary Driver Program?

A driver who gets a first New Jersey permit starts a two-year probationary period. The period starts with the special learner permit or the examination permit, not with the probationary license. If you are convicted of two or more moving violations with a total of four or more points in this period (for example, two speeding tickets of 2 points each), the MVC sends a Fee Due notice. You must then pay for and finish the Probationary Driver Program (PDP), a four-hour classroom program from an approved New Jersey provider. The class removes up to three points from your record.

What the Probationary Driver Program costs

The MVC charges a $75 administrative fee. Pay it before you schedule a class: without it, the class gives you no credit.
The class provider charges its own fee of up to $75.
The total does not exceed $150.
A provider may charge a cancellation or rescheduling fee, so read its rules before you book.

What happens after a Probationary Driver Program notice

You finish the whole class

You get a warning: any violation within one year after the class leads to a suspension.

You miss the class, arrive late or leave early

The provider reports you to the MVC as failing to complete, and the MVC suspends your license.

Your license is suspended because you missed the class

Pay the $100 restoration fee to the MVC and finish a PDP class with the same or a different provider.

Alcohol limit for drivers under 21 in New Jersey

A driver younger than 21 may not drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 percent or higher. The legal age to buy, have or drink alcohol is 21. A first offense with a BAC of 0.01 percent or more but less than 0.08 percent brings a 30- to 90-day suspension of driving privilege. It starts on the day you become eligible for a license or the day of conviction, whichever is later. You also do 15 to 30 days of community service and attend an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center or an alcohol education program. Test yourself on the under-21 BAC rule.

Key takeaways

Breaking any GDL restriction carries a $100 fine, and the manual also names a possible suspension.
A GDL driver may not use a hand-held or hands-free phone or any other electronic device, and phone use counts as a GDL violation.
Two or more moving violation convictions with 4 or more points in the two-year probationary period lead to the four-hour Probationary Driver Program, which costs $150 at most.
A driver under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher.
Next step: practice on the free New Jersey basic auto learner permit practice test. It is in English only.

New Jersey GDL violations: common questions

Do GDL restrictions end at age 21 in New Jersey?

Partly. For an examination permit or probationary license holder who is 21 or older, the hour, passenger and decal restrictions no longer apply. The ban on hand-held and hands-free phones and the seat belt rule for all passengers stay in force for these drivers.

Can a GDL driver drive at night for work in New Jersey?

Yes, with proof. A permit or probationary driver under 21 who must drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for work or religion must carry a legible certification of that need. It comes from the employer or religious official, on official letterhead, and the official signs it.

Can a defensive driving course replace the Probationary Driver Program?

No. The MVC requires a PDP class from an approved provider, and a defensive driving course does not count. A Fee Due notice still needs the four-hour PDP class and both fees. A state-approved defensive driving course can take 2 points off a record that has points, once every five years.

How long do you have to finish the Probationary Driver Program?

You have 120 days to pay the fees, schedule the class and finish the program. The MVC does not give more time for a scheduling conflict, so choose a provider with a class schedule that fits you. If you do not finish the program, the MVC suspends your driving privilege.

Do points ever come off a New Jersey driving record?

Yes. Up to three points come off your point total for each year that you go without a violation or suspension, as long as your driving privilege stays in good standing. The total never goes below zero.

Who is responsible if a student driver breaks a traffic law in New Jersey?

Both the student and the instructor or adult supervising driver are responsible for a traffic offense that the student commits. The supervising driver sits in the front seat, is at least 21, holds a valid New Jersey license and has at least three years of driving experience.