The short answer
- Deadline: after you move to New Jersey, transfer your out-of-state license within 60 days or before it expires, whichever comes first (MVC, Moving to New Jersey). The NJ Driver Manual gives CDL holders 30 days.
- U.S. license (other state, DC, territories): book a "transfer from out-of-state" appointment, bring 6 Points of ID, and buy a $10 transfer permit. The knowledge and road tests are waived if your license is current, valid, non-provisional and in good standing.
- Foreign license from Taiwan or South Korea: these are the two places MVC lists with reciprocity. If you are 18 or older and meet the document rules, you are exempt from the knowledge and road tests for a regular (class D) license.
- Any other foreign license, including mainland China: you must pass the knowledge test and a vision screening, and MVC may require a road test. The written test is available in Chinese (Mandarin).
Which situation are you in?
| Your current license | Knowledge test | Road test | Where MVC says so |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid, non-provisional license from another U.S. state, DC, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands | Waived (Hazmat endorsement holders still take the written test) | Waived | Moving to New Jersey page; Driver Manual |
| Taiwan or South Korea license, applicant 18+, class D | Exempt if all criteria are met | Exempt if all criteria are met | Moving to New Jersey page |
| Any other foreign license (for example mainland China, India, Brazil) | Required, plus vision screening | May be required | Driver Manual |
Transferring a license from another U.S. state
MVC's Moving to New Jersey page, checked October 15–16, 2026, lists these steps for drivers 17 and over:
- Make an appointment for a transfer from out-of-state through MVC's appointment system. The same appointment can also cover your vehicle title and registration.
- Bring your current, valid license in good standing and documents that meet the 6 Points of ID requirement. For a REAL ID, check the documents on MVC's REAL ID page.
- Buy a transfer permit: $10 for auto, motorcycle or CDL, plus $5 for a motorcycle endorsement on an auto license.
- Surrender your old license. MVC issues a four-year New Jersey license. MVC's fee table lists an auto license at $24; confirm the exact fees for your transaction at the appointment.
If you are 17 to 18 years old, the Driver Manual says a valid out-of-state license gets you a one-year probationary NJ license, and you must follow New Jersey's GDL rules.
Extra rules on the same page: a Puerto Rico license must come with a certified driver's abstract, CDL transfers need a valid Medical Certificate, and all CDL holders must pass an eye test.
If your old license has expired, MVC's first-time drivers FAQ says you can still book an out-of-state transfer if it expired less than one year ago. After more than a year you start over as a first-time driver, and an out-of-state non-driver ID does not count toward a NJ license.
Transferring a foreign (out-of-country) license
MVC says a non-U.S. citizen who has recently moved to New Jersey can transfer an out-of-country license for a standard NJ license or a REAL ID, using the same "transfer from out-of-state" appointment. What happens next depends on where your license is from.
Taiwan and South Korea: reciprocity
MVC lists Taiwan and South Korea as having reciprocity agreements with New Jersey. According to the Moving to New Jersey page:
- Reciprocity applies only to applicants 18 or older and only to a non-commercial (class D) license.
- You must show a valid foreign license with translation, proof of identity, proof of NJ residency, proof of Social Security Number, and verification of lawful presence in the U.S. (12-month minimum).
- If all criteria are met, you are exempt from the knowledge and road tests.
- Taiwan: bring a valid Verification of Certificate of Driver's License from the Republic of China (Taiwan).
- South Korea: bring the license with a translation, an Apostille or notarial certificate from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea (only if the back of the license was issued before 2019 and is not in English), and a Certificate of Driver's License, an English document from Korea showing your license is in good standing.
MVC introduces the reciprocity list with a sentence that refers to the 30 days before your International Driving Permit expires. If your timing is close to that, ask MVC how it applies to you.
Every other country, including mainland China
The NJ Driver Manual (out-of-state and out-of-country applicants section) says all out-of-country applicants must pass the knowledge test and a vision screening and may be required to pass a road test, and that test results are valid for two years. Taiwan and South Korea are the only places on MVC's reciprocity list, so a mainland China license does not skip testing.
In practice that means:
- Book the transfer appointment and bring your foreign license, 6 Points of ID documents, and a certified English translation of anything not in English. MVC's FAQ explains what counts as a certified translation (for example, one issued by a consulate, or one signed by a qualified translator with a statement of accuracy).
- Take the knowledge test. MVC offers the written test in English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Albanian and Turkish; oral tests are English and Spanish only. See knowledge-test languages.
- Pass the vision screening.
- Be ready for a road test if MVC requires one. See the NJ road test guide.
Driving on a foreign license in the meantime
MVC says visitors to the U.S. may drive for up to one year with their foreign license as long as it is accompanied by an International Driving Permit issued in their country of residence. The Driver Manual adds that the IDP does not replace your license; you carry both. If you have moved to New Jersey for good, the 60-day transfer rule above is the one to plan around.
Your vehicle has a 60-day clock too
The same MVC page says you must transfer your vehicle title and registration within 60 days. You need ID, the original title, insurance information, and forms OS/SS-UTA and BA-49. A financed or leased car needs form OS/SS-54 first. Details and title fees are on the Moving to New Jersey page.
Preparing for the knowledge test
If your situation requires the knowledge test, it is the same test first-time drivers take. You can study from the NJ Driver Manual, which MVC publishes in English, Chinese and seven other languages, and then practice with our NJ permit practice questions, available in English and Chinese. Start with the numbers to memorize, which trip up experienced drivers too. Practice questions here are our own study questions; results on this site are not MVC exam results.
Sources and as-of dates
- NJ MVC, Moving to New Jersey: www.nj.gov/mvc/drivertopics/movetonj.htm, reviewed October 15, 2026.
- NJ Driver Manual (English PDF), "Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants" and "Examination Permits for Out-of-Country Drivers" sections, downloaded October 15, 2026.
- NJ MVC, Frequently Asked Questions: First-Time NJ Drivers (PDF), reviewed October 15, 2026.
- NJ MVC, License and Permit Fees and Knowledge Test pages, reviewed October 15, 2026.
MVC rules and fees can change. Confirm with MVC before your appointment.