New Jersey driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from New Jersey Driver Manual and, where the manual is silent, the New Jersey Statutes: N.J.S.A. 39:1: Definitions, N.J.S.A. 39:3: Registration and Licensing, N.J.S.A. 39:3A: Television Sets in Vehicles, N.J.S.A. 39:3B: Warning Lamps and School Bus Equipment, N.J.S.A. 39:4: Traffic Regulation, N.J.S.A. 39:5: Violations and Procedure, N.J.S.A. 39:5A: Private Roads Made Subject to Traffic Laws, N.J.S.A. 39:5C: Racing, N.J.S.A. 39:5D: Driver License Compact, N.J.S.A. 39:5F: Nonresident Violator Compact, N.J.S.A. 39:6: Motor Vehicle Security-Responsibility, N.J.S.A. 39:6A: Automobile Reparation Reform (No-Fault), N.J.S.A. 39:6B: Compulsory Motor Vehicle Insurance, N.J.S.A. 39:8: Motor Vehicle Inspection, N.J.S.A. 39:10: Certificates of Ownership, N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5: Death by Auto, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15: Underage Possession or Consumption of Alcohol, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
A driver may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. A fire crew needs the hose to reach the hydrant, not to reach around your car.
Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
A driver may not park within 50 feet of a stop sign. A car parked at the sign hides it, and hides the cross traffic the sign is there for.
Within 50 feet of a stop sign.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
A driver may not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. A driver approaching the rails has to see down the track, and a parked car takes that view away.
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
k. Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance, when properly signposted;
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-138(k)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
A parked vehicle's tires should be no more than six inches from the curb. Further out and the car sticks into the lane, where a passing mirror finds it.
The vehicle’s tires should be no more than six inches from the curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
A driver must stop at least 25 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road or a multi-lane road divided by lines. Children cross in front of the bus where the driver cannot see them and you cannot either.
State law requires a motorist to stop at least 25 feet away if they are 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.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
A driver keeps at least 300 feet behind a signaling emergency vehicle. It can stop dead in the road, and crews step out of the back of it without looking.
the motorist should keep at least 300 feet behind a signaling emergency vehicle
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. The half hour either side is the part of dusk where a car turns the same color as the road.
Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Every person driving a motor vehicle equipped with multiple-beam road lighting equipment, during the times when lighted lamps are required, shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations: whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver, and in no case shall the high-intensity portion which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp from which it comes at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead, and in no case higher than a level of forty-two inches above the level upon which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five feet ahead.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:3-60
As of 8 Oct 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
New Jersey law requires the driver and every passenger of a passenger vehicle to wear a seat belt. A belted body stops with the car. An unbelted one keeps going at the speed the car was doing.
Under state law, the driver, and all passengers of a passenger vehicle
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
A child under eight who is shorter than 57 inches must ride in a child restraint or booster seat. A grown-up belt crosses a small child at the neck and the belly. A booster raises them to where it fits.
Children under age eight who are less than 57 inches (4 feet, 9 inches) tall must ride in either:
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
In New Jersey it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. It is the line the law draws, and impairment starts well below it.
In New Jersey, it is illegal for an individual to drive while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drugs, or with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
For a driver under 21 it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or higher. Under 21 the drinking itself is already illegal, so the driving limit is set at almost nothing.
For individuals younger than 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
Refusing a breath test in New Jersey carries a violation surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years. Three thousand dollars is the price of refusing, on top of whatever the court adds.
Motorists who refuse to take a breath test in New Jersey are subject to a violation surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
New Jersey law prohibits the use of a handheld electronic device while driving on a public road. A hand on a phone is a hand off the wheel, and eyes on a screen are eyes off the road.
State law prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices (such as cellular telephone) while driving a motor vehicle on any public road or highway.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
New Jersey law prohibits the use of a handheld electronic device while driving on a public road. A hand on a phone is a hand off the wheel, and eyes on a screen are eyes off the road.
State law prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices (such as cellular telephone) while driving a motor vehicle on any public road or highway.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
A driver signals at least 100 feet before turning and cancels the signal after the turn. A signal left blinking tells the next driver you are turning when you are not, which is worse than none.
A motorist should put on the turn signal at least 100 feet before turning and be sure to cancel the signal after making a turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
Unless a sign prohibits it, New Jersey allows a right turn on red after a full stop and a check for traffic. The stop is the whole permission. A rolling turn on red is a turn made without looking.
Unless a No Turn on Red sign is posted, New Jersey law authorizes a right turn on a red light after a motorist comes to a full stop and checks for traffic.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
Turning on curve, grade or place where view obstructed or State highway marked with "no U turn" sign. The driver of a vehicle shall not turn such vehicle around so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade or at any place upon a highway as defined in R.S. 39:1-1 where the view of such vehicle is obstructed within a distance of five hundred feet along the highway in either direction; and no such vehicle shall be turned around so as to proceed in the opposite direction on a highway which shall be conspicuously marked with signs stating "no U turn".
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-125
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
The New Jersey speed limit is 25 mph in school zones and in business or residential districts unless a sign says otherwise. These are the streets where somebody steps out from between parked cars. Slow is what makes a stop possible.
25 mph School zones, business, or residential districts
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
The New Jersey speed limit is 50 mph on rural roadways that carry no posted limit. A country road with no sign is not a road with no limit. Fifty is what the law sets there.
50 mph Non-posted rural roadways
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
The New Jersey speed limit is 25 mph in school zones and in business or residential districts unless a sign says otherwise. These are the streets where somebody steps out from between parked cars. Slow is what makes a stop possible.
25 mph School zones, business, or residential districts
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. If vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, the provisions of this paragraph and section 39:4-87 of this Title shall not be considered as prohibiting the vehicles in one line overtaking and passing the vehicles in another line either upon the right or left, nor shall those provisions be construed to prohibit drivers overtaking and passing upon the right another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-85
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
A driver keeps the radio turned down and does not wear earphones. A horn or a siren is often the first warning, and it arrives through the ears.
A motorist should always keep the radio turned down and never, wear earphones.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
Carrying an open alcoholic beverage container or an unsealed cannabis item in the passenger area brings a $200 fine for a first offense. The rule is about what is within reach of the driver, open, while the car is moving.
Motorists who carry open or unsealed alcoholic beverage containers or unsealed cannabis items in passenger areas of motor vehicles are subject to a fine of $200 for a first offense and $250 or 10 days of community service for all subsequent offenses.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
A New Jersey resident of at least 16 may obtain a special learner permit by enrolling in a behind-the-wheel driver training course. The course is why the age is lower. A student in one practices beside an instructor rather than on their own.
Any New Jersey resident who is at least 16 years old and is not in suspension status may enroll in a behind-the-wheel driver training course to obtain a special learner permit at any MVC Licensing Center.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
A GDL permit holder under 21 must have at least six months of supervised practice before a road test appointment. Six months puts a learner through rain, dark and traffic before anybody grades them.
GDL permit holders under 21 years of age must have a minimum of six months supervised practice driving which must include a minimum of 50 practice driving hours, including 10 during darkness prior to a road test appointment.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
A New Jersey permit holder must be accompanied in the front seat by a supervising driver who is at least 21. The supervising driver is there to catch what a beginner misses, and they cannot do that from the back seat.
Permit holder must be accompanied in the front seat by an adult supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a valid New Jersey driver license and has a minimum of three years’ driving experience.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A GDL permit or probationary driver under 21 may not drive between 11:01 pm and 5:00 am. Late night is when crashes among young drivers cluster. The curfew takes the worst hours off the table.
No driving between 11:01 pm and 5:00 am
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
a. No person shall throw or drop any bundle, object, article or debris of any nature from a vehicle whether in motion or not when such vehicle is on a highway. The words "object, article or debris of any nature" as used in this section shall be deemed to include a cigarette, cigar, match, or ashes, or any substance or thing in and of itself likely to cause or fuel a fire, but such inclusion shall not be deemed to in any way limit the generality of the words "object, article or debris of any nature." Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 or more than $1,000 for each offense.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-64(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
(b) In sentencing a first offender under subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of R.S.39:4-50 whose blood alcohol concentration was 0.10% or higher, but less than 0.15%, the court shall order, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the installation of an ignition interlock device in one motor vehicle owned, leased, or principally operated by the offender, whichever the offender most often operates, which shall remain installed for not less than seven months or more than one year.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-50.17(a)(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
A person who has been convicted of a previous violation of this section need not be charged as a second or subsequent offender in the complaint made against the person in order to render the person liable to the punishment imposed by this section on a second or subsequent offender, but if the second offense occurs more than 10 years after the first offense, the court shall treat the second conviction as a first offense for sentencing purposes and if a third offense occurs more than 10 years after the second offense, the court shall treat the third conviction as a second offense for sentencing purposes.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-50(a)(3)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
A driver reaching 12 to 14 points in 24 months is mailed a Notice of Scheduled Suspension by the MVC. The notice is a warning with choices attached, and ignoring it is one of them.
Motorists who accumulate between 12 and 14 points in a 24-month period or more will receive a Notice of Scheduled Suspension by mail from the MVC.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
a. A person shall not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is wearing a securely fitted protective helmet of a size proper for that person and of a type approved by the chief administrator. A helmet shall be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides thereof. The chief administrator is authorized and empowered to adopt rules and regulations covering the types of helmets and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved helmets which meet the specifications as established hereunder. For the purposes of this section, a motorcycle shall not include an autocycle that is completely enclosed or any three-wheeled motor vehicle equipped with a single cab with glazing enclosing the occupant, seats similar to those of a passenger vehicle or truck, seat belts and automotive steering.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:3-76.7(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
On a single-lane road a driver allows at least four feet of space when passing a vulnerable road user. Four feet is the room a cyclist needs to wobble, swerve or hit a pothole without being hit.
Allow at least four feet of space when passing on a single-lane road
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
New Jersey law requires drivers to keep to the right, except when passing. A driver sitting left with nobody to pass forces everyone else to go around on the wrong side.
New Jersey law requires motorists to keep to the right, except when passing.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
a. Every owner or registered owner of a motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in this State shall maintain motor vehicle liability insurance coverage, under provisions approved by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death and property damage sustained by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, operation or use of a motor vehicle wherein such coverage shall be at least in: (1) an amount or limit of $15,000 for plans issued or renewed prior to January 1, 2023, $25,000 for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 but prior to January 1, 2026, and $35,000 for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to, or death of, one person, in any one accident; and (2) an amount or limit, subject to such limit for any one person so injured or killed, of $30,000 for plans issued or renewed prior to January 1, 2023, $50,000 for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 but prior to January 1, 2026, and $70,000 for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, more than one person, in any one accident; and (3) an amount or limit of $25,000 for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, exclusive of interest and costs, for damage to property in any one accident; and (4) for a commercial motor vehicle, an amount or limit of $1,500,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, one or more persons in any one accident or for damage to property in any one accident; and (5) for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds but less than 26,001 pounds, an amount or limit of $300,000, exclusive of interest and costs, on account of injury to or death of, one or more persons in any one accident or for damage to property in any one accident. The provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection may be satisfied by a commercial automobile insurance policy, fleet insurance policy, commercial umbrella insurance policy, commercial excess insurance policy, similar insurance policy, or any combination thereof.
New Jersey law, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:6B-1(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
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