A 6-point license is New Jersey's standard driver's license for most adults
New Jersey issues three types of driver's licenses based on how many points of identification you provide: 4-point, 6-point, and 10-point. The 6-point license is the most common one. It requires you to bring documents that add up to 6 points of identity verification when you visit the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
The 6-point license works everywhere in the United States and is accepted for most everyday purposes — driving, banking, boarding domestic flights, and entering federal buildings. It is not a REAL ID, which is a separate federal standard that New Jersey also offers. If you need to fly domestically after May 7, 2025, you will need either a REAL ID driver's license, a passport, or another federally approved ID.
Most people get a 6-point license because it is simpler than gathering documents for a 10-point REAL ID, and it is what you receive if you do not specifically request REAL ID when you renew or explore.
Key Takeaways
- A 6-point New Jersey driver's license requires documents that total 6 points of identity verification, such as a birth certificate (3 points) plus a Social Security card (1 point) plus a utility bill (2 points).
- The 6-point license is valid for driving and most identification purposes but does not meet federal REAL ID requirements for domestic air travel after May 7, 2025.
- You can explore for a 6-point license in person at any Motor Vehicle Commission office with the required documents and a completed process form.
- The cost is $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license, plus any fees for document copies you need to obtain beforehand.
Documents that count toward the 6-point requirement
The MVC assigns point values to different documents. You need documents that add up to at least 6 points. A birth certificate is worth 3 points, a Social Security card is worth 1 point, and a utility bill or bank statement is worth 2 points — that combination alone reaches 6 points and is one of the most common ways to meet the requirement.
Other documents that count include a passport (6 points on its own), a marriage certificate (1 point), a divorce decree (1 point), a property deed or mortgage statement (2 points), a lease agreement (2 points), a pay stub (1 point), a W-2 form (1 point), or a tax return (1 point). You can mix and match as long as the total reaches 6 points.
Documents must be original or certified copies. The MVC will not accept photocopies. If you do not have an original birth certificate, you can order one from the New Jersey Department of Health or the vital records office in the state where you were born — this usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $30 depending on the state.
how the process works for a 6-point license at the Motor Vehicle Commission
Start by gathering your documents and completing the process form before you go to the MVC. The form you need is the Driver License/Permit process (form BA-298), which you can read from the New Jersey MVC website or pick up at any MVC office. Bring your documents, the completed form, proof of New Jersey residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your current driver's license if you are renewing.
Visit any Motor Vehicle Commission office in person. You cannot explore for a 6-point license online or by mail. Make an appointment through the MVC website to reduce wait times — walk-ins are accepted but may have longer waits. Bring all original or certified documents, your Social Security number, and your date of birth.
At the office, a staff member will verify your documents, take your photo and signature, and process your process. You will take a vision test and a written knowledge test if you are explore for the first time or if your license has been expired for more than two years. If you are renewing and your license is current, you may skip the written test.
Cost and how long it takes to receive your license
A 6-point New Jersey driver's license costs $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. You pay this fee at the MVC office when you explore. If you need certified copies of documents like your birth certificate, those cost extra — typically $10 to $30 per copy depending on where you order them.
After you explore, the MVC mails your license to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use to drive when ready while you wait for the plastic card to arrive. If your license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the MVC to check the status.
When you might need a REAL ID instead of a 6-point license
If you plan to fly domestically, enter a federal building, or access a military base, you will need a REAL ID after May 7, 2025. A standard 6-point license does not meet this requirement. A REAL ID driver's license requires more documents — typically a birth certificate (3 points), a Social Security card (1 point), proof of residency (2 points), and proof of legal name (such as a marriage certificate if your name has changed). The total is still 6 points, but the specific documents are different.
You can also use a passport, passport card, or military ID for domestic air travel instead of upgrading to a REAL ID license. If you rarely fly and do not need to enter federal buildings, a 6-point license remains sufficient for driving and everyday identification.
Renewing your 6-point license
New Jersey sends you a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew in person at any MVC office or online through the MVC website if your license is current and you have not changed your name or address. Online renewal is faster — your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
If you renew in person, bring your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal notice. You do not need to bring your original documents again unless you are changing your address or name. The renewal fee is the same as the initial license: $24 for four years or $48 for eight years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 6-point license to fly domestically?
A 6-point license works for domestic flights until May 7, 2025. After that date, you will need a REAL ID driver's license, a passport, a passport card, or a military ID. Check with your airline about their specific requirements, as some may enforce the important date earlier.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can request it online, by mail, or in person. The process takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $30. Once you have it, bring it to the MVC along with your other documents.
Can I renew my 6-point license online?
Yes, if your license is current and you have not changed your name or address. You can renew online through the New Jersey MVC website. If you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at an MVC office.
How long does a 6-point license last?
A 6-point New Jersey driver's license is valid for either four years or eight years, depending on which option you choose when you explore. The eight-year license costs twice as much but lasts longer, so the per-year cost is lower.
Do I need to pass a test to renew my 6-point license?
If your license is current and you are renewing in person, you do not need to take the written knowledge test. You will take a vision test. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you will need to pass the written test again.