Yes, if you’re under 21.

No it is not illegal.

>Exemptions to the hours of rule for permit and probationary drivers underage 21: Proof of a need to drive during the prohibited hours for employment and/or religion. For an exemption, the motorist must carry a legible certification to indicate this need from his/her employer or religious official on the official letterhead of the business, organization or religious institution, with the signature of the certifying official and his/ her name, title, address, and phone number. (N.J.A.C. 13:21-8.18)

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/license/drivermanual.pdf

I believe if you have a note from your employer stating what your work hours are and you’re heading home after work that gets you out of a ticket. It did when I was a kid but that was almost 20 years ago.

IiRC driving outside curfew hours is allowed under certain circumstances: religious, school, or work. Documentation of some kind regarding that event must be present with you if you will be driving outside the normally sanctioned hours. I worked nights after school so I was often getting done around 11pm. I would bring my clock out slip as Documentation.

You should also call the DMV and ask them for a definite answer(don't trust me, I'm a random guy on the internet) as well as what sort of "documentation" is satisfactory.

No

Yes.......dumb law.

Don't quote me on this, but i think that was the point of a provisional, assuming you have no passengers.

When I got my learners permit at 16, in the way back days, we weren't allowed to drive after dark. I get my license, and suddenly i was allowed to drive at dark, with no experience, with whomever in the car.

The graduated license was supposed to solve some of this stuff.

Yes, that part of the law is pretty clear, though all the other parts aren’t