Laws and Legislation
Laws and regulations play a key role in helping to keep teens safe on the roads in New Jersey. Carefully crafted laws and regulations are the framework that we use to begin setting guidelines for teen drivers.
As educators, you are vital in keeping your students informed of the new laws that will affect them when driving.
After an increase in teen crashes and deaths, the New Jersey legislature established the Teen Driving Study
Commission to make recommendations to help reduce crashes and save lives. The following bills were written as
a result of this report. A synopsis of each bill is available by clicking on the bill number:
- A212: This bill requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or waiting to enter crosswalks. Under previous law, motorists must yielded to pedestrians in crosswalks, but motorists did not have to yield to pedestrians waiting on the curb to cross a roadway. This law is now in effect (April 1, 2010)
- S18/A870: UPDATED - The Back Seat Loophole Seat Belt Bill was signed into law on January 18, 2010.
This law requires all occupants to buckle up, regardless of their seating position in a vehicle.
A secondary offense, the new law allows police to issue summonses to unbuckled back seat occupants,
18 years of age and older, when the vehicle they are riding in is stopped for another violation.
The law is effective immediately.
- S2314: "Kyleigh's law." Requires holders of special learner's permits, examination permits,
and provisional driver's licenses to display certain decals. Status: Signed into law on April 15, 2009
and will go into effect on May 1st, 2010.
- S16: Revises certain restrictions on permit holders and provisional driver's licensees; renames
provisional license "probationary." Status: Signed into law on April 15, 2009 and will go into effect on May 1st, 2010.
- A3067: Prohibits plea agreements for motor vehicle violations by drivers subject to the Graduated
Driver Licensing law. Effective September 2008, the New Jersey Attorney General placed a ban on
plea agreements for GDL holders. Status: Passed the General Assembly pending consideration by the
Senate Transportation Committee.
- A3068: Expands requirements for special learner's and examination permits. Requires parent/teen
orientation, 12-month permit, practice driving, 6 hours behind the wheel (BTW). Status: Passed
the General Assembly. Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Click to hide.
The following proposed teen driving bills are currently under consideration in the New Jersey Legislature. A synopsis of each bill is available by clicking on the bill number:
Seatbelts
- A870: Requires all automobile passengers to wear seat belts. here.
- S18: Requires all automobile passengers to wear seat belts. here.
Penalties/Violations
- A3067: Prohibits plea agreements for motor vehicle violations by drivers subject to the Graduated Driver Licensing law. Status: Passed the General Assembly. Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
- A1241: Increases penalties for violations committed by provisional driver's license holder. Status: Pending consideration by the General Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.
- A3504: Requires graduated driver licensees who plead guilty to non-point violations to complete driver safety course. Status: Pending consideration by the General Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee.
- S932: Enhances penalties for provisional driver's license holders. Status: Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Driving Instruction
- A1515: Requires 12-hour behind-the-wheel course for special learner's permit. Status: Pending consideration by the General Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee.
- S334: Requires 12-hour behind-the-wheel course for special learner's permit. Status: Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
- A3068 Aca (1R): Expands requirements for special learner's and examination permits. Status: Passed the General Assembly. Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
General GDL
- S16 Sca (1R): Revises certain restrictions on permit holders and provisional driver's licensees; renames provisional license "probationary." Status: Signed into law on April 15, 2009.
- S144: Modifies graduated drivers' license law. Status: Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Vehicle Identifier (Kyleigh's Law)
- S2314 Scs (SCS): "Kyleigh's law." Requires holders of special learner's permits, examination permits, and provisional driver's licenses to display certain decals. Status: Signed into law on April 15, 2009.
- S16: Revises certain restrictions on permit holders and provisional driver's licensees; renames provisional license "probationary." Status: Signed into law on April 15, 2009.
- S1251: Requires decal for holder of a provisional license; upgrades penalties for provisional license offenses. Status: Pending consideration by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Driving While Intoxicated
- A3073 Aca (1R): "Ricci's Law;" clarifies that use of ignition interlock device is mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and requires installation during license suspension. Status: Pending consideration by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
- S1926: "Ricci's Law;" clarifies that use of ignition interlock device is mandatory for all drunk driving offenses and requires installation during license suspension. Status: Pending consideration by State Senate.
- SJR31:Designates December of each year as "Drunk Driving Awareness Month." Status: Signed into law on December 19, 2008.
- S1634: Increases penalties for drunk driving with minor as passenger. Status: Pending consideration by the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee
How to Contact Government Officials
As educators, you have the power to shape some of the laws that are being considered. Your Representatives do take your
feedback as they make decisions in law making.
To learn how to contact the Governor of New Jersey, click here.
Federal Representatives are by typing in your zip code. The site will provide information pertaining to
the President of the United States, the two United States senators that represent you plus the one member
who represents you in the United States House of Representatives.
Stay Informed
- Join the Legislative Network
This will update you on issues related to teen driving safety and other brain injury prevention legislation.
- Action Alerts
YOU can make a difference. By registering for the Legislative Network, you will receive directions as to how you can impact policy related to brain injury.
