A motorist who legally changes his/her name (marriage, divorce, order of court) must report this change to the MVC within
2 weeks
-If your legal name is different from the name on your civil birth certificate (e.g., your maiden name), then you must show legal proof of the name change. Legal proof= certified marriage or civil union certificate, divorce decree or court order l
A motorist who changes addresses must report this change to the MVC within
1 week after moving. This includes individuals who are moving out of New Jersey.
A motorist with a valid out-of-state license who moves to NJ must apply for a NJ license within
60 days (commercial driver license-CDL- within 30 days) or before the current license expires, whichever is sooner.
Individuals who have never had a driver license must complete the MVC's Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program, which...
introduces driving privileges in phases with a period fo supervised driving before getting a basic driver license
GDL, special learner and examination permits are valid until all qualifications for a probationary license are met, or for...
2 years, whichever occurs first. All others are valid for 90 days.
All applicants for a NJ driver license must provide a...
full name, current address, Social Security number, 6 Points of ID verification and other documentation that verifies that their legal presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
Drivers under age 21, who possess an examination permit or probationary license, shall not operate a motor vehicle without....
displaying two visible, reflective GDL decals, which are provided by the MVC, on the license plates of the vehicle
Security-enhanced digital driver license (DDL) includes...
facial recognition technology. Helps to prevent identity theft and ensures that only those individuals who are legally entitled to have a driver license may get one. The DDL has more than 20 covert and overt features and is issued to all customers at MVC
Altering a driver license or presenting an altered driver license may result in...
the loss of a motorist's driving privilege, a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment. Obtaining a driver license illegally may result in a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment.
Types of NJ licenses:
1) Basic automobile license: all types of Class D motor vehicles registered by the MVC, except motorcycles; expiration 4 years; minimum age 18 (permit 16)
2) Probationary automobile license: for all types of Class D motor vehicles registered by the MVC, e
6 Point ID Verification
-at least 1 primary document
-at least 1 secondary document
-at least 6 points of ID (including 4 pts--- a valid civil birth certificate/ photocopies not accepted, birth certificate, US passport, current NJ digital non-driver ID card, current NJ digital d
Graduated Driver License (GDL)
-A multi-stage driver licensing system that gradually introduces driving privileges to first-time drivers
-GDL restrictions placed upon first-time drivers must be strictly adhered to... failure to do so may result in a fine of $100 or a possible suspensio
GDL decals
All GDL drivers under age 21, who possess a permit or probationary license, are required to display two visible, red reflective decals on any vehicle they operate.
-One decal= top left corner of rear license plat and the other on the top left corner of th
Exam permits for out-of-state drivers
All OOS drivers are required to purchase an exam permit within:
60 days of becoming a permanent NJ resident or when his/her OOS license expires, whichever comes first.
Sara's Law
Allows individuals at least 14 years to voluntarily submit and maintain emergency contact information (e.g. in the case of a motor vehicle crash that renders him or her unable to communicate)
-Next-of-kin registry used to submit emergency contacts may als
Nikhil's Law
Reinforces the dangers of failing to comply with NJ's motor vehicle traffic laws
Road test
Under 21 y/o= practice 6 months supervised
Over 21 y/o= practice 3 months supervised
NJ seat belt law
driver + front-seat passenger + children under age 18 must wear a seatbelt
-Otherwise a primary offense
-The driver--> responsible for all passengers under age 18 (front-seat passengers 18 years and older are responsible for themselves)
-Seat belts can sa
Brakes
-Should be able to brake smoothly and quickly
-Should be able to stop within 25 feet at 20 mph
Blind spots
Areas where a motorist cannot see behind his/her car on both sides through the mirror
After starting the engine, a motorist should make sure her path is clear by turning and looking back. Should not depend on rearview mirrors.
Idling
3 minutes or less
-fine $250-1000 for this violation
Hand positioning on wheel
-A motorist should grip the steering wheel by the outside rim at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions
-Hand-over-hand steering--> permits a motorist to make steering adjustments ranging from a minor to a half turn of the wheel
-Moving through a turn--> hands may
Driving signals (hands)
-Must signal at least 100 feet before turning
-Hand signals for stopping and turning:
Hand and arm downward--> stop or slowing down
hand and arm upward--> right turn
Hand and arm straight out--> left turn
Stopping distances
-No real way to tell how long it will take a vehicle to stop at a certain speed... stopping distance depends on:
motorist rxn time, weather and visibility conditions, vehicle weight, brake conditions, condition and type of tires, roadway conditions, speed
3-Point turn (K turn)
Parking
-When parking a car downhill-> hand brake should be set and the wheels should be turned TOWARD the curb
-When parking a car uphill--> hand brake should be set and the wheels should be turned AWAY from the curb
Parallel parking
-Parallel parking is the most common type of parking on city streets*
-Must be able to do this to pass the road test
-The vehicles tires should be 6 inches from the curb
Speeds
25 mph= school zones, business or residential districts
35 mph= suburban business and residential districts
50 mph= non-posted rural roadways
55 mph= certain state highways (as posted) and interstates
65= certain interstate highways (as posted)
-Motorists
Passing
-Depends on the type of road
-Both center lines are solid: no passing allowed
-One center line is broken: passing is allowed only on the side with the broken line
-Both center lines are broken: passing is allowed on both sides
-Most passing should be on t
Keeping to the right
-NJ laws require drivers to keep to the right, except when passing
-Drivers must drive a vehicle as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
Pedestrians in a crosswalk
-Must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks (failure= fine up to $500)
-Watch for pedestrians when turning right on red
-Be sure not to block or park in crosswalks
-Never pass another car that has stopped for a pedestrian
3 types of intersections
-Controlled*: traffic signals or signs in any direction or controlled by a police officer
-Motorist must obey the signals and signs
-Must yield to the motorist on the right if both motorists get there at the same time, also to another motorist already sto
Entering highways, parkways, and turnpikes
Motorists enter these roadways by way of acceleration lanes, which are extra lanes at highway entrances used by motorists to speed up to join the flow of traffic
-A motorist must yield to traffic already traveling on the main road before moving onto the p
Construction areas
-When coming across these areas, a driver should adjust speed and adjust position to maintain space around his/her vehicle
Curves
-It is important for a motorist to adjust steering and speed when approaching a curve in the road because vehicles tend to keep going straight**
-The best way to enter a curve: slow down before entering and avoid drifting into another lane
-Check for Curv
Right Turn on Red/right turns
-Unless a "No Turn on Red" sign is posted, NJ law authorizes a right turn on a right light after a car comes to a full stop and checks for traffic
-A driver must yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning right at a red light
-To make a
Left turns
-One-way road onto a one-way road: approaching the turn in the left lane--> the driver should turn into the left lane of the road she/he is entering
-Two-way road onto a two-way road: approach the turn as close as possible to the line nearest to the cente
Stop at RR crossings
-A driver must stop at least 15 feet (to 200 ft) from RR crossings when there are flashing red lights, ringing bells, descending or lowered gates, or flag signals.
Stop for school buses
-A motorist must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights at least 25 feet away if she/he is traveling on a two-lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines or on a privately maintained road.
Stop for ice cream or frozen desert tricks
-yield the right-of-way to any person who is crossing the roadway to or from the truck; watch our for children and be prepared to stop; stop, then drive past the truck at a slow speed of no more than 15 mph
Pull over and stop for emergency vehicles (i.e. police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles)
-A motorist should steer to the extreme right of the roadway, stop and wait for the vehicle to pass. Afterward, the motorist should keep at least 300 feet behind a signaling emergency vehicle
Using headlights
-Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise
-Also be used when visibility is 500 feet or less, when using windshield wipers (during rain, slow and ice) or when encountering fog, mist, smoke, or other factor
Cannot stop
-within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
-within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
-within 50 feet of a RR crossing or stop sign
-within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and within 75 feet on the street opposite a fire station entranc
Cell phones
-The fine for breaking the law: 200-400 for first offense, 400-600 for the second and 600-800 for the third
-Littering: fines up to $1000 may be imposed on drivers found throwing dangerous objects from a vehicle onto a roadway
Tired driver/highway hypnosis
-This trance-like state may be avoided by not looking at any one thing for more than a few seconds.
Prevent a collision by...
-Being alert, prepared and acting in time
Aggressive driving/road rage
-Unexpected altering of speed, making improper and/or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, following another vehicle too closely
-Road rage occurs when drivers lose their tempers or become
Tailgating
Refers to following too closely behind a car directly in front.
Common cause of accidents
Following distance
-Rule of thumb: keep one car length (about 20 feet) for each 10 mph of speed*
-At high speeds or in bad weather, following distances should be increased
-Can also use the 3-seconds-plus rule to determine safe distance
Stopping distance=
perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance*
Hydroplaning
-Caused by wet road surfaces
-Hydroplane means tires ride up on a film of water (starting at 35 mph) which could cause a driver to lose control of her car
-Chances of hydroplaning increase as speeds increase (after 55 mph tires may totally leave the road
Reduced visibility
-Good rule on snow-covered roads= maintain a following distance of 6 seconds or more*
-Poor roadway or weather conditions require drivers to increase following distance b/c rough, wet or snow-covered roads may require more response time
-In fog--> headlig
City driving
-A driver should look at least 12 seconds ahead
Construction zones/work zones
-In NJ, traffic fines are DOUBLED for motor vehicle violations committed in the area of roadway construction zones
-These zones are identified by an advance warning sign or flashing lights on a vehicle up to one-half mile before the work area
-If traffic
Skids
-Skids often happen on wet or icy roads--> caused by sudden turns, lane changes, or hard braking
-If the rear end of the vehicle starts to slide, a motorist should take his/her foot off the gas pedal (a vehicle may spin if the steering wheel is quickly tu
Running off the pavement
-If a car's wheels drift onto the shoulder of the road, a motorist should stay on the shoulder and ease up on the gas pedal. After the vehicle has slowed down to 25 mph or less, the motorist may turn back onto the road by turning the steering wheel one-qu
Stalling on RR tracks
-If a car stalls on RR tracks, the motorist and any passengers should get out and move far away from the vehicle and tracks, even if the train is not approaching
-Once clear of the vehicle and tracks, a motorist should call the number on the Emergency Not
Brake failure
-A motorist should shift to a lower gear and pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times
-With the vehicle in low gear, the motorist should begin looking for a safe place to stop off the roadway and call for help
Effects of alcohol
-Impacts overall driving ability-> senses and judgement are impaired
-overconfident and unable to think clearly
-never drink and drive
-Impairs rxn time, coordination and balance after two, three, or four drinks
-Vision and the ability to judge distance i
BAC
-BAC is determined by 4 factors:
quantity of alcohol consumed, body weight, how quickly drinks were consumed, and food eaten
> 21 y/o= .08 percent or higher is illegal
< 21 y/o= .01 percent or higher
THESE LEVELS WILL BE PENALIZED WITH A DUI (DRIVING UNDE
Penalties
-Refusing a breath test is equal to driving with a BAC of .10 percent for a FIRST OFFENSE
-Current penalty for both= loss of driving privileges for 7 months to 1 year & a violation surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years
One drink equals...
1/2 ounce of alcohol per drink is the same in 1.5 ounces of 80-pf whiskey, 12 ounces of beer and 5 ounces of wine
Mandatory penalties
-If a driver < 21 y/o buys or drinks alcohol in a place with an alcoholic beverage license, she may be fined $500 and lose his/her license for 6 months
-Underage first offense/BAC .01% or more but less than .08%: 1-3 month driving suspension, 15-30 days o