New Jersey Driving Test Study Guide
Chapter 1 Manual
What 3 items must a motorist always carry with them in a vehicle?
(1) A valid driver's license
(2) A vehicle registration
(3) Proof of insurance
All legal name changes must be reported to the MVC within how many weeks?
Within 2 weeks
All address changes must be reported to the MVC within how many weeks?
Within 1 week after moving
All drivers license applicants who are under the age of 18, must present a completed signed consent form from parent/guardian.
What can happen if you alter your driver’s license?
Loss of a motorist’s driving privilege, a fine up to $1000, and/or imprisonment
What can happen if you get a license illegally?
A fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment
How do the licenses of motorists 21 years and older differ from those younger than 21?
Motorists younger than 21 have vertical-formatted driver licenses while motorists older than 21 have a horizontal-formatted drivers license.
What is the 6 point identification system? Give an example of each “point.”
A system to verify identity.
(1) Primary - Passport
(2) Secondary - School ID
(3) Proof of Address - Utility Bill
(4) SSN
(5) Legal Status - Birth Certificate
(6) ID - Bank Statement
Unrestricted NJ drivers license is available for residents 18 years old and completion of unsupervised driving with probationary restrictions.
What is the fine and/or penalties for violating any component of the GDL program?
A fine of $100 or suspension of a motorist’s driving privilege
Excluding dependents, how many passengers may accompany the holder of a validated Special Learner’s permit driver in the car? Probationary driver?
(1) Special Learner’s Permit - Parents, guardian or dependent and one additional
(2) Probationary - Dependent and one additional
What are the hour restrictions for a Special Learner’s permit driver? Probationary Driver?
No driving between 11:01 PM and 5:00 AM
If a student driver commits a traffic offense, responsibility will be with whom?
Both on the student and instructor/adult supervising driver
Upon completion of the GDL requirements, the holder of a probationary license must do what? If you fail to go to the MVC, what restrictions will you be held to?
Must visit and MVC licensing center to upgrade to a basic driver license after the end of 12 months. Held to the probationary driver license restrictions
Before practicing driving, the driver must have passed the knowledge test, vision test, obtained a validated permit and have what on their license plates?
Two visible, red reflective decals on any vehicle that they operate
What is the organ donor program?
A program that if a motorist agrees to, states that they agree to donate their organs, tissue, and eyes upon their death. The words “Organ Donor” will appear on their license.
Chapters 2 & 3 Manual
Basic driver’s license applicants with or without corrective lenses in both eyes must be?
Must have 20/50 vision with or without corrective lenses
In 2015 “Nikhil’s Law” was signed into law. This pledge reinforces the dangers of failing to comply with NJ motor vehicle traffic laws. By signing this you are agreeing to what 4 things?
(1) Stop Completely
(2) Obey Traffic Laws
(3) Talk Safe
(4) Plan Ahead
When you are taking your behind the wheel road test, what is not allowed to be between you and the driving instructor? Why is this not allowed to be there?
There must be no obstructions that might prevent the instructor from accessing the foot break or parking break. This allows them to act quickly in case of emergencies.
List three driving skills that you will be tested on when you take your behind the wheel road test.
(1) Driving in reverse
(2) Parking (Parallel)
(3) Stopping smoothly
At the time of the road test, you must present what documentation?
(1) Valid vehicle registration
(2) Valid permit card
(3) Valid Insurance Card
Others include 6 points of ID, 2 red decals, and a valid inspection sticker
NJ drivers are responsible for enforcing the seat belt law for passengers under 18 years old. Front seat passengers older than 18 are responsible for themselves. (The driver is responsible for all passengers under 18 yrs old)
A child under the age of 8 and who are less than 57 inches must be seated in the rear seat.
New Jersey child safety passenger safety law requires that a child 8 and under 80 pounds or less, must ride in a safety or booster seat in the rear seat.
A motorist is required to make all reasonable efforts to remove snow/ice from all surfaces of the vehicle (hood, trunk, roof and windshield) before driving. Failure to do so will result in fines between:
$25 to $75
Blind spots are areas hidden from a driver’s view. Correctly adjusted mirrors help reduce blind spots.
NJ law restricts vehicle idling to 3 minutes or less.
For normal driving, hold the wheel as steady as possible. A good grip on the wheel means that your hands are at 9 and 3 o’clock.
Always give a proper signal when turning, stopping, or changing lanes. Always signal 100 feet before the turn. Be sure to cancel the signal after making a turn.
The following hand signals mean what?
Hand/Arm straight out - Left Turn
Arm bent downward/Hand down - Stop or slowing down
Arm bent upward/Hand up - Right turn
If you do not turn the wheel while in reverse, which way will the car move?
The vehicle will move straight backward
How is your body position while driving in reverse?
Your body should be turned to the right until you can see clearly through the back window.
Which way do the tires of your vehicle face if you are:
Parked uphill- Turned away from the curb
Parked downhill - Turned toward the curb
Chapter 4 Manual
NJ law sets top speed limits for any given road, street, highway or freeway.
25 mph - business or residential district
25 mph - school zone
55 mph - certain highways (as posted) and all interstates
65 mph - certain interstates (as posted)
If both center lines are solid, are you allowed to pass? One center line is broken? Both center lines are broken?
If both enter clines are solid, then you are not allowed to pass. If one center line is broken, you can only pass on the side with the broken line. If both center lines are broken, passing is allowed on both sides.
NJ law requires you to keep to the right except when passing.
A driver must always yield the right of way to:
(1) Emergency Vehicles
(2) Trains
(3) Buses
(4) Postal Vehicles
A motorist must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Failure to do so can result in $500 fine & 25 days in jail.
What is a controlled intersection? Uncontrolled intersection? How should treat an uncontrolled intersection?
A controlled intersections contain traffic signals or signs in any directions, or controlled by a police officer. Uncontrolled intersections are two or more roads that join and there are no traffic signals. You should be careful, and reduce your speed when going through an uncontrolled intersection.
Who must you yield to if you are at a multiway stop or intersection?
All traffic on the main road. Vehicles on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.
To help drivers enter a highway, acceleration lanes are used. These lanes allow motorist to speed up to join the flow of traffic.
What is a deceleration lane?
Extra lanes at a highway exit, located on the right-hand side of the roadway that allow motorists to slow down before exiting.
If a motorists vehicle becomes disabled or you need to make an emergency stop he/she must:
Pull off onto the shoulder, turn on emergency flashers, raise the hood, stay in the vehicle, and call for help
Make sure you adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve because vehicles tend to keep going straight.
NJ law permits a right turn on a red light after a full stop and yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
To make a safe right turn, a driver should approach as far to the right. *Driver’s signaling a right turn must also yield to inline skaters/skateboarders, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
When two vehicles meet at an intersection and have signaled to turn left, each driver should do what?
When safe, each motorist should turn to the left of the center of the intersection.
When making a left turn from a two-way road onto a two-way road, you should?
Approach the turn as close as possible to the center line and keep to the right of the center line of the road
You must stop 15 feet from a railroad crossing when there are flashing lights, bells or signals
A motorist must stop for a school bus 25 feet away when traveling on a dual lane road. You must stop 25 feet if traveling on a two-lane road where lanes are only separated by lines. **When a school bus has stopped in front of a school to pick up or drop off children, you may pass from either direction at a speed of no more than 10 mph.
What is the move over law? What is the fine?
All motorists approaching stationary emergency vehicle that is displaying lights should change lanes into a lane not adjacent. The fine is no less than $100 and no more than $500.
What actions should you take when you hear a siren or see a flashing red/blue light coming from an emergency vehicle?
Yield to the emergency vehicle by steering to the extreme right of the roadway, stop, and wait for the vehicle to pass.
All drivers must have their headlights and windshield wipers on during rain, snow, and ice storms.
Headlights must be used: ½ hour after sunset & ½ hour before sunrise and during bad weather, and whenever visibility is 500 feet or less.
Bright beams should be only used for what type of driving conditions. Dim your lights to low beams when?
Open country driving with no traffic in sight. You should dim your lights while city driving, driving in traffic on roadways, and when behind vehicles or when another vehicle is approaching.
How many feet should you park from:
Fire Hydrants - 10 feet
Crosswalk - 25 feet
Stop Sign - 50 feet
You are not allowed to park in front of a fire hydrant, bus stop zone, or in front of a driveway.
A driver should never stop/park in front of a public driveway unless?
Directed to do so by a police officer or to avoid a crash
A hand-held phone may only be used in emergency situations:
(1) Fire
(2) Traffic Crash
(3) Serious Road Hazard
(4) Medical Emergency
(5) Hazardous Material Emergency
Chapter 5 Manual
What is the accident prevention formula?
Be Alert, Be Prepared, Act in Time
What should you do if you are very angry or excited while driving? In extreme cases, an aggressive driver may do what?
Time take to cool off. An aggressive driver may change speed, have erratic lane changes, disregard traffic control, and/or fail to yield
What is “highway hypnosis?” How do you avoid this?
A trance-like state that can be avoided by not looking at any one thing for more than a few seconds
Which motorist is most at risk for drowsy driving?
Sleep-deprived, long distance without breaks, driving at night, medicine that increases sleepiness, alcohol, driving alone, young people, etc.
A motorist should always keep a safe distance from other cars on the road so he/she has time to react. Following too closely is called tailgating.
List and explain the two types of following distance methods.
A. Keep one car length back (about 20 feet) for each 10 mph
B. Three Second Plus Rule - An object should take 3 seconds or more to reach after the vehicle in front of you has passed it
When someone is passing you, what should you do?
Be careful, stay in lane, and slow down
When are the roads most dangerous during a rainfall?
First few minutes of rainfall
How should a driver test his/her brakes after they have driven through a puddle?
Pump the brakes
When driving at night, how far ahead should you be able to stop?
Within the range of the vehicle’s headlights/distance motorists sees ahead
List 3 precautions you should take when driving in the city?
(10 Be Alert when passing bicyclists
(2) Watch for traffic/people
(3) Don’t make quick lane changes
How many seconds or city blocks should you be looking ahead?
12 seconds/ 1 block ahead
What is a skid? What should you do first? How should you avoid a spin?
A skid is when a vehicle slides sideways as a result of stopping or turning too quickly. If this happens, you should take your foot off the gas pedal and turn in the direction the rear is skidding.
If your vehicle’s wheels run off the pavement, what should you do?
Slow down and regain control. Then turn slowly back onto the road.
What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?
Shift to a lower gear and pump the brake pedal fast and hard
If a driver has a flat tire, he/she should hold steering wheel firmly and keep the car going straight while slowing down. You should remove your foot from the gas pedal, but not use the brakes. The vehicle should then coast to a stop on its own as you pull off to the side of the road.
Chapters 6 & 7 Manual
What is driving under the influence?
A driver’s senses and judgment are impaired by alcohol.
After 2, 3, or 4 drinks alcohol begins to impair your reaction time, coordination, and balance.
What four factors is your BAC determined by?
(1) Quantity of alcohol consumed
(2) Body weight
(3) How quickly drinks are consumed
(4) Food eaten
You are considered underage in NJ if you are under 21 and purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages found with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 while operating a vehicle.
If a driver has reached a BAC of slightly above .05% after drinking, the risk for causing a motor vehicle accident doubles. Furthermore if you drive after reaching a BAC of .10 the risk is six times as great. The risk is 25 times as great when driving with a BAC of 0.15.
1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor or 12 ounce bottle of beer or 5 oz. of wine equals the same amount of alcohol, ½ ounce of alcohol per drink.
What are five telltale signs of drinking and driving?
(1) Speeding
(2) Weaving
(3) Slow driving
(4) Jerking motion
(5) Quick stops
Hosts may become involved in a lawsuit if a guest is involved in a drinking & driving crash after leaving the party.
What are the penalties for a motorist 21 years of age or older with a BAC between .08 and .10?
(1) $250-$400 fine
(2) 12-48 hours in an IDRC
(3) 30 days imprisonment
(4) A bunch of fees
What is the implied consent law?
By using NJ roadways, motorists have agreed to submit to a breath test given by law enforcement
After completing a driver improvement program, he/she will be on probationary period for one year.
A motorist begins a 2 year probationary period after receiving a special learner or examination permit. During this time, a motorist convicted of accumulating 4+ points and/or 2+ moving violations must enroll in Probationary Driver Program.
Up to 3 points will be subtracted from a driver’s point total for every year that the driver goes w/o a violation or suspension.
The total point will never be reduced below zero.
What is a habitual offender?
A motorist whose driver license has been suspended three times in three years.
The best way to reduce your chances of having an alcohol related accident is to:
Arrange for a designated driver, use public transportation, or call a cab
If you accumulate 6+ points w/in 3 years, you are subject to a surcharge of $150. How much is the surcharge for each additional point after the initial 6 points?
$25
If involved in a motor vehicle accident that causes injury to another person while your driving privileges are suspended, you are subject to what consequences?
(1) Fine
(2) Continued Suspension
(3) Minimum 45-day Jail Sentence
What is the only thing that can sober a person up?
Time
Chapter 8 Manual
What is a “No Zone?”
Blind spots in which trucks, tractor-trailer, or bus drivers cannot see other vehicles
What factors should you take into consideration when sharing the road with a large truck?
Never tailgate, remain sandwiched between trucks, tractor-trailers, or buses, and maintain a sizeable space between yourself and them
If it’s snowing out, what % longer will it take a truck to stop?
25%
What type of insurance is mandatory in NJ?
Liability Insurance
All gasoline-fueled vehicles, except new cars, registered in NJ must pass State inspections and State emission inspections every two years at a state inspection facility or state-licensed private inspection facility.
When moving to NJ from another state, you must have your vehicle inspected w/in 14 days after registering it. (You have 60 days to register your vehicle when moving into NJ)
A lost or stolen driver's license or license plate should be reported to the police.
What are some things a driver must do in order to secure safety for pedestrians? List 3.
(1) Yield the right of way to peestrians
(2) Must not stop with any portion of his/her vehicle in the crosswalk
(3) Follow the Safe Passing Law
What color(s) are used to alert motorists that they must share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists?
Yellow-Green
Inline skaters, skateboarders, and bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.
How much is the penalty for pedestrians under 17 who violate the pedestrian law?
$22
Driving with an uninsured vehicle can result in?
Fines, community service, license & registration suspension, and violation surcharges
If you sell your car (don’t buy another), what should you do with the license plates?
Surrender plates to any MVC agency or mail them to the MVC
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What are the possible symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea/vomiting, chest pain, and confusion
What could potentially cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to accumulate inside a vehicle?
Exhaust leak, poorly tuned engine, trunk/rear tailgate open, holes in the body of the vehicle, idling in a confined space, or blocked tailpipe
If someone is suspected of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, what should you do?
Remove them from the source of carbon monoxide and call 911. Turn the engine off, get out, and get victim to breathe fresh air
Road Sign Shapes
Stop = Octagon
Warning = Rhombus
Yield = Triangle
Railroad = Circle