FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does Hickory Driving School offer the vision and written exams at their office?
    • Yes, Hickory Driving School has been issued the vision and written exam endorsements by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
  2. Can a parent purchase a learner’s permit?
    • A parent CANNOT purchase a learner’s permit for a 16-year-old without a Driving School present. A parent CAN purchase a learner’s permit for a 17-year-old with proper identification.
  3. How long is the student required to have their learner’s permit in order to take their road test on their 17th birthday?
    • The student must have their learner’s permit validated for six months prior to their 17th birthday.
  4. Where can I meet Hickory Driving School to acquire a learner’s permit?
    • Hickory Driving School Locations:

      - 1110 Harrison Street Frenchtown, NJ 08825
      Hunterdon and Warren Counties

      - 856 Route 206, Bldg B, Suite 13A, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
      Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties
    • What credentials do I need to bring to acquire a learner’s permit?
      • - Original birth certificate with a raised seal or a valid passport (Hickory must present/hold on to one of these documents to the DMV in order to obtain the permit.)
        - Social Security card / Social Security number
        - Print out with barcode showing the student has passed the knowledge test. If completed.
        - Corrective lenses if needed
        - Parent’s drivers license
    • What is the passing score for the knowledge exam?
      • The knowledge exam consists of 50 questions which a student has to score an 80 percent (40 questions) or higher on.
    • What happens if the student fails the knowledge exam?
      • If the student fails the knowledge exam, they will have to wait seven days to retake the exam.
    • What are the parameters for the vision exam?
      • The minimum visual acuity requirement is 20/50. If the student does not meet these requirements they will need to have a licensed New Jersey eye doctor complete a vision evaluation form.
    • What happens after my child acquires their learner’s permit?
      • Hickory Driving School will assign an instructor to your child after they acquire their learner’s permit. The instructor will then contact the student directly to schedule driving lessons.
    • Are your cars dual controlled?
      • Yes, Hickory Driving School cars have a brake on the driver’s and passenger’s side.
    • Do you have insurance to cover my student during their 6 hours of lessons?
      • A Parent’s Personal Auto Policy or Personal Injury Protection covers any injuries from an auto accident. In the event that the student’s parents do not have a Personal Auto Policy, the Hickory Driving School’s Commercial Auto Policy, Basic Personal Injury Protection, would respond for the students’ injuries. Hickory Driving School’s Commercial Auto policy is secondary coverage to the parent’s Personal Auto Policy.
    • How are the 6 hours of driving lessons broken up?
      • Depending on the student’s ability, the normal driving lessons consist of two, 3 hour lessons or three, 2 hour lessons.
    • Do you validate my child's learner’s permit after the six hours?
      • Hickory is able to validate the permit but it will take more time to get to and from the DMV. Parents are able to validate the permit themselves which would save time.
    • Do insurance companies offer discounts for a student who completes 6 hours of driving lessons?
      • We cannot answer for all of the insurance companies, but the majority do offer discounts. After the student's learner’s permit is validated, follow the steps from Hickory Driving School to acquire an Insurance Certificate.
    • Do I need to have the red decals on the car my child is driving?
      • Yes, you need a pair of decals for each car the student will be operating.
    • Where can I purchase the red decals?
      • You can purchase the red decals at the Hickory Driving School office or any DMV for $4.
    • What happens if I lose my learner's permit?
      • If you are under 17-years-old, a duplicate learner's permit can be purchased by the parent/guardian if the mandatory six hours behind the wheel training was complete and the original learner's permit was validated.
    • What is the Early Bird Road Program?
      • Get a student learner's permit:
        - Visit a MVC Agency that offers Driver Testing Services with a licensed driving instructor.
        - Pass the written exam. You can study by reading MVC's Driver Manua.l
        - Pass the vision exam.
        - Bring a primary ID (Certified copy US birth certificate with an official seal, Unexpired US Passport, US Department of State birth certificate, US adoption papers, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship).
        - Show proof of enrollment in a driver training course.
        - Present a signed letter with parental or guardian consent.
        - Pay the fee.
        - An approved course is six full hours of behind-the- wheel instruction in a dual-controlled vehicle. These hours are exclusive of time spent at the MVC for permit purchasing or testing. The instructor must purchase the learner's permit, which is valid for two years.
        - Upon successful completion of an approved Driving School six hours behind-the-wheel course, the student learner must return to an MVC Agency, offering Driver Testing Services, to have their permit validated and to schedule their Road Test appointment. The permit must be validated prior to any supervised practice driving.
        - If you are under the age of 21, your learner's permit must be validated for six months prior to taking your road test.
        - Learner's permits are valid for two years and must be carried when operating a vehicle.
        - If your learner's permit is lost or stolen, you must purchase a duplicate permit. A duplicate permit can be purchased by the parent/guardian of a 16-year- old driver if the mandatory six hours behind the wheel training was complete and the original permit was validated.
        - Practice supervised driving for at least six months.

        You must observe the following restrictions during the supervised driving period:
        - Display a reflector decal on each license plate (front/back); decals available at Hickory Driving School office or a motor vehicle agency for $4 per pair.
        - No driving after 11:01 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m.
        - You must be accompanied in the front seat by an adult supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a valid New Jersey driver license and has a minimum of three years driving experience.
        - Parent(s), guardian(s,) or dependent(s) are allowed as passengers. A dependent is a permit or probationary driver's child, not siblings.
        - Only one additional passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        - Cell phones, hand held video games, or any other hands-free interactive, wireless communication device are prohibited.
        - Seat belts must be worn at all times.
        - See GDL Exemptions for hours-related exemptions for employment or religious reasons.

        Get a probationary license
        - You must be at least 17-years-old.
        - Complete the supervised driving period.
        - Pass the 6 point ID requirements.
        - Pass MVC's road test.
        - You must return after one year from date of issue to get a basic driver license Practice unsupervised driving for at least one year

        You must observe the following requirements and restrictions while driving with a probationary (formerly provisional) driver's license:
        - Display a reflector decal on each license plate (front/back); decals available at Hickory Driving School office or a motor vehicle agency for $4 per pair.
        - No driving after 11:01 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m.
        - Parent(s), guardian(s), or dependent(s) are allowed as passengers. A dependent is a permit or probationary driver's child, not siblings.
        - Only one additional passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        - Cell phones, hand held video games, or any other hands-free interactive, wireless communication device are prohibited.
        - Seat belts must be worn at all times.
        - See GDL Exemptions for hours-related exemptions for employment or religious reasons.

        Get a basic driver license:
        - You must be at least 18-years-old.
        - Complete the unsupervised driving period.
        - Go to any MVC Agency with your probationary license and other documents to pass the 6-point ID requirements.
        - Pay the $24 driver's license fee.
    • What are the GDL laws?
      • The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws are recognized as the single most effective tool for reducing teen driver crashes, injuries, and death. There are 3 stages:

        1. Special learners permit driving restrictions:
        - Display a reflector decal on each license plate (front/back); decals available at Hickory Driving School office or a motor vehicle agency fo $4 per pair.
        - No driving after 11:01 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m.
        - You must be accompanied in the front seat by an adult supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a valid New Jersey driver license and has a minimum of three years driving experience.
        - Parent(s), guardian(s), or dependent(s) are allowed as passengers. A dependent is a permit or probationary driver's child, not siblings.
        - Only one additional passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        - Cell phones, hand held video games, or any other hands-free interactive, wireless communication device are prohibited.
        - Seat belts must be worn at all times.

        2. Examination permit restrictions:
        - You must be at least 17 years old and not in suspension status.
        - Display a reflectorized decal on each license plate (front/back); decals available at Hickory Driving School office or a motor vehicle agency for $4 per pair.
        - No driving after 11:01 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m.
        - You must be accompanied in the front seat by an adult supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a valid New Jersey driver license and has a minimum of three years driving experience.
        - Parent(s), guardian(s), or dependent(s) are allowed as passengers. A dependent is a permit or probationary driver's child, not siblings.
        - Only one additional passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        - If you are at least 21 years old, there are no passenger or hour restrictions
        - Cell phones, hand held video games or any other hands-free interactive, wireless communication device are prohibited.
        - Seat belts must be worn at all times.

        3. Probationary driver license restrictions
        - Display a reflectorized decal on each license plate (front/back); decals available at Hickory Driving School office or a motor vehicle agency for $4 per pair.
        - No driving after 11:01 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m. See GDL Exemptions for exceptions due to employment or religious reasons.
        - Parent(s), guardian(s), or dependent(s) are allowed as passengers. A dependent is a permit or probationary driver's child, not siblings.
        - Only one additional passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        - Cell phones, hand held video games or any other hands-free interactive, wireless communication device are prohibited.
        - Seat belts must be worn at all times.

        GDL Exemptions:
        - Permit and probationary drivers under 21 are eligible for hours-related exemptions for employment or religious reasons.
        - Drivers must carry legible documentation on letterhead signed by the employer, organization or religious institution stating the reasons for this request.
        - Include signature, title, address and telephone number of designated official.
    • When and where can I schedule my road test?
    • What credentials do I need for a road test?
      • - Visit the following website: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/license/ident_ver_posterpint.pdf
        - The same identification you used to obtain a permit
        - Valid examination permit
        - An accompanying licensed driver
        - License plate decals. Red, reflective decals must be on both plates for vehicle used for road test of permit drivers under age 21.
        - A registered vehicle with current inspection sticker and insurance card. Vehicle cannot have a center console unless the emergency brake is accessible from the passenger seat.
        - Examiner must be able to reach either the foot brake or parking brake.
        - Rental cars are only acceptable if the driver taking the test is included on the rental contract as an additional driver and is of contract age.
        - Rental of a driving school auto is permitted.
        - 6-point ID and address requirements.
    • Where is the road test conducted and how long does it take?
      • - A safety specialist will accompany you while driving in an off-road testing area or on a public road course.
        - The test will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
        - Hickory Driving School usually schedules road tests at the following DMVs:

        Bakers Basin DMV
        3200 Brunswick Pike Route 1 North
        Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

        Hickory Driving School offers road test services. Call the office to make your appointment sooner rather than later.

    • What skills are tested during a road test?
      • - Driving in reverse
        - Stopping at appropriate signs
        - Nearing corners or intersections
        - Stopping smoothly
        - Sitting properly
        - Turning around
        - Steering properly
        - Parallel parking
        - Yielding to right-of- way
    • Are back up cameras allowed for a road test?
      • As of August 31, 2016, backup cameras and parking sensors that have been installed on a motor vehicle will now be permitted to be used during a road test.
    • What are the reasons my car would possibly cause me to fail a road test?
      • - It is deemed unsafe or unsuitable for a road test
        - It has an improper, expired, or no inspection sticker
        - Equipment in the vehicle prevents the examiner from reaching the foot or parking brakes
        - It is a self-parking vehicle
        - There is a defect or condition that affects the safe operation of the vehicle including poor brakes, a defective parking brake, unsafe tires, unreasonably unclean interior, a fast engine idle or missing seatbelts
    • What happens after I pass my road test?
      • The examiner will give you an authorization slip in addition to your learner’s permit to get your driver’s license at an MVC Agency.
    • What happens if I fail my road test?
      • - You must wait at least two weeks before taking the test again.
        - If you fail more than twice, MVC may require you to wait six months before taking the road test again.
    • What other services does Hickory Driving School offer?
      • - Road Test Service
        Call the Hickory Driving School office to make your appointment.
        - Hourly Brush Up Lessons
        Call the Hickory Driving School office to make your appointment.