New Jersey Driver Licensing & Road Safety Rules

GDL (Graduated Driver License)

A program designed to extend practice driving time and reduce the number of fatalities amongst teens and first-time drivers.

Special learner's permit age requirement

You must be 16 years old to obtain your GDL special learner's permit.

Prohibited items while operating a vehicle

You must not utilize cell phones, electronic devices, or handheld video games/devices.

Identification verification points at MVC

You need 6 points to complete an identification verification at MVC.

Unsupervised driving duration with probationary license

You must drive unsupervised for 1 year with a probationary license.

Fault in moving violation with special learner's permit

The student and instructor are both at fault if a student with a special learner's permit commits a moving violation.

Waiting period to re-take road test after failing

You must wait 2 weeks before re-taking your road test if you fail.

Change of address reporting timeframe to MVC

You have 1 week to report a change of address to the MVC.

Basic driver license age requirement

You must be 18 years old to obtain your basic driver license.

Timeframe to apply for N.J. driver license after moving

You have 60 days to apply for a N.J. driver license if you move into New Jersey from another state; 30 days for CDL.

Fines for altering a driver license

Fines include loss of driving privilege, up to $1,000 fine, and up to 6 months in jail.

Driving hours with special learner's permit

You can drive from 5:01 AM to 11 PM with a special learner's permit.

Examination permit age requirement

You must be 17 years or older to obtain your examination permit.

Road test vehicle requirements

The vehicle may not have any obstructions or consoles that prevent the examiner access to the parking brake.

Passenger restrictions with probationary driver license

Only 1 passenger is allowed unless a parent or guardian is present.

Probationary driver license age requirement

You must be 17 years old to obtain your probationary driver license.

Legal name change reporting timeframe

You have 2 weeks to report a legal name change.

Practice duration with adult supervising driver for special learner's permit

You must practice for 6 months with an adult supervising driver.

Practice duration with adult supervising driver for examination permit (over 21)

You must practice for 3 months with an adult supervising driver if you are over 21 years of age.

Practice duration with adult supervising driver for examination permit (under 21)

You must practice for 6 months with an adult supervising driver if you are under 21 years of age.

Waiting period to re-take New Jersey state written exam after failing

You must wait 1 week before re-taking the New Jersey state written exam if you fail.

Restrictions for examination permit or probationary holder 21 years or older

Restrictions do not apply for holders who are 21 years of age or older.

Fines for getting a driver license illegally

Fines range from $200 to $500 and may include 30 to 90 days in jail.

Fines for violation of the GDL

Fines include a $100 fine and possible suspension or delay of receiving your license.

Allowed individuals in car with special learner's permit

An adult supervising driver with 3 years driving experience, 21 years of age, and a valid NJ driver's license can be in your car, along with 1 additional person.

Waiver of hour restrictions for permit or probationary license holder

Hour restrictions could be waived for employment or religious obligation.

16 yr. old Special Driver Examination Permit issuance

The applicant must be enrolled in a behind-the-wheel driver testing course approved by the department of education.

Nikhil's Law

This law reinforces the dangers of failing to completely come to a full stop, staying alert, talking safely, and planning ahead.

Hydroplaning

When your tires ride up on a film of water causing you to lose traction from the roadway.

New Jersey seat belt law

All passengers must wear a seat belt - motorists are responsible for passengers under 18 years of age.

Angle parking

Most commonly used in shopping centers.

Parallel parking

Most commonly used on city streets.

Highway hypnosis

A trance-like state that a motorist can go into.

Space cushion

Space between your car and all others on each side.

Three-second rule

Refers to safe following distance; should be increased to 4 or more seconds on wet roads.

Collision avoidance

If a collision looks probable, turn away from oncoming traffic or hit something that will give way.

Brakes failure response

1. Shift to a lower gear, 2. Pump brake pedal, 3. Hand brake/emergency brake.

Communication with other drivers

The two best ways are horn, lights, and hand signals.

Turn signal usage

Should be used 100 feet in advance.

Stopping distance factor

The #1 factor when it comes to stopping distance is speed.

New Jersey Child Restraint Law

Children 8 years or younger who are less than 57 inches.

Hand signal for right turn

Arm out at a right angle, palm up.

Hand signal for left turn

Arm straight out.

Hand signal for stopping

Arm out at 45-degree angle, palm down.

Steering in reverse

Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear/back end to go.

Deep puddle response

Pump the brake pedal to dry them out.

Seat belts prevention

1. Sliding around in the car, 2. Hitting dashboard & windshield, 3. Being thrown/ejected from the vehicle.

Studded snow tires legality

Legal to use from November 15th - April 1st in New Jersey.

Car runs off pavement response

1. Slow down, 2. Regain control, 3. Turn slowly onto the road.

Standard collision-prevention formula

Be alert, be prepared, act in time.

Uphill parking wheel direction

Turn your wheels away from the curb.

Downhill parking wheel direction

Turn your wheels toward the curb.

No curb parking wheel direction

Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road.

Reasons to slow down

1. At night, 2. Intersections, 3. Hills, 4. Construction zones, 5. Wet roads, 6. Sharp curves, 7. Dips, 8. Railroad crossing, 9. Pedestrians, 10. Speed humps/bumps, 11. Narrow bridges or roads.

Following distance on snow-covered roads

Maintain a following distance of 6 or more seconds.

Skid response

Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the way the back of the car is skidding - no brake, no gas.

Most common cause of collisions

DRIVER OR MOTORIST ERROR DISTRACTIONS

Three things to avoid a collision

1. STOP 2. TURN 3. SPEED UP

Actions to take during a tire blowout

1. HOLD STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY 2. KEEP VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT 3. SLOW DOWN 4. NO GAS 5. DO NOT APPLY THE BRAKES 6. LET CAR COAST TO A STOP IN A SAFE AREA

Tailgating

When a vehicle is following too closely behind a vehicle in front of them.

Car lengths to allow when following a car at 30 mph on wet pavement

6

What to do when another motorist is trying to pass you

SLOW DOWN to make their pass easier.

When are road surfaces most slippery?

DURING THE 1ST FEW MINUTES OF RAINFALL

Placement of child car safety seats

IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE

Safe distance for emergencies

It is good practice to keep a safe distance to give you more time to react to EMERGENCIES.

Braking distance at 60 mph on dry surface

300 FEET

How to drive in reverse

The motorist's head and body should be TURNED TO THE RIGHT UNTIL HE/SHE CAN SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW WITHOUT THE USE OF MIRRORS.

Stopping distance at night

Be sure that you can stop within THE DISTANCE YOU CAN SEE AHEAD.

Idling a vehicle for more than 3 minutes

It is against the law.

Fine for failing to remove snow or ice from a vehicle

$25- $75 fine.

Actions that could lead to distracted driving

1. Use of cell phone 2. Applying make-up 3. Eating or drinking 4. Adjusting the radio 5. Reaching into the glove compartment

Dashed line on your side of the road

YOU CAN PASS

Controlled intersection

WHEN 2 OR MORE ROADS JOIN OR CROSS & IS CONTROLLED BY LIGHTS, SIGNS, SIGNALS & REGULATORY DEVICES

When to use headlights

1. ½ HOUR AFTER SUNSET UP UNTIL ½ HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE 2. WHEN VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 500 FEET 3. RAIN, FOG, SMOKE, MIST - REDUCED VISIBILITY 4. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON

What to do if you miss your exit

GO TO THE NEXT ONE

When to use high beams

OPEN COUNTRY DRIVING

Legal uses of cell phone while driving

1. FIRE 2. TRAFFIC ACCIDENT 3. SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD 4. MEDICAL EMERGENCY 5. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EMERGENCY

Right Turn On Red law

UNLESS A "NO TURN ON RED" IS POSTED, YOU MAY TURN RIGHT ON RED AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP & CHECK FOR TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIANS

Best way to approach a left turn from a two-way road onto a four-lane highway

AS CLOSEST TO THE "CENTER LINE" AS POSSIBLE

Fine for throwing dangerous objects from a vehicle

$1,000.

Can you get a ticket for driving too slow?

YES. IMPEDING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC

Most common factor for fatal accidents

SPEEDING

Yielding the right-of-way

GIVING UP YOUR RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THE ROAD, TO LET SOMEONE ELSE PASS

Parking distance from stop sign

50 FEET

Parking distance from fire hydrant

10 FEET

Parking distance from railroad crossing

50 FEET

Parking distance from fire station opposite side of the road

75 FEET

Parking distance from fire station same side of the road

20 FEET

Parking distance from crosswalk at an intersection

25 FEET

Unposted speed limit in school zones and residential areas

25 MPH

Maximum speed limit in New Jersey

65 MPH

New Jersey laws on keeping to the right

Motorists are required to keep to the right except when PASSING.

Acceleration Lane

LANE USED TO SPEED UP TO JOIN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC - USUALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIGHWAY. (ENTRANCE RAMP)

Deceleration Lane

EXIT RAMP. LANE USED TO SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY

School Bus with Flashing Red Lights

A motorist should stop 25 FEET away.

Railroad Crossing with Flashing Lights

A motorist must STOP 15 FEET away.

Cell Phone Use Fines

1st offense $200, 2nd offense $400, 3rd offense $600.

Reasons Not to Pass

1. HILL/CURVE 2. INTERSECTION 3. RAILROAD CROSSING 4. NARROW BRIDGES/TUNNELS 5. CENTER LINE RESTRICTIONS 6. BEHIND A VEHICLE THAT HAS STOPPED TO LET PEDESTRIANS CROSS

Uncontrolled Intersection

INTERSECTIONS THAT HAS NO LIGHTS, SIGNS OR SIGNALS

Approaching a Curve

SLOW DOWN & CAR WILL TEND TO GO STRAIGHT.