NJ DMV CHAPTER 1NJ DMV CHAPTER 1

Laws Governing Driver LicensesLaws Governing Driver Licenses

WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOLDRIVER EDUCATION

A motorist who operates a motor A motorist who operates a motor vehicle invehicle in

the State of New Jersey must carry thethe State of New Jersey must carry thefollowing:following: valid driver license valid driver license valid provisional license or a validated valid provisional license or a validated

New Jersey permit. New Jersey permit. valid insurance valid insurance vehicle registration cards. vehicle registration cards.

A motorist with a validated New Jersey A motorist with a validated New Jersey driver permit must be accompanied by an driver permit must be accompanied by an appropriately licensed driver. appropriately licensed driver.

A motorist who is a legal resident of New A motorist who is a legal resident of New Jersey must be licensed in this state. Jersey must be licensed in this state.

Change of address must be reported to the Change of address must be reported to the MVC within MVC within 1 week1 week after moving. after moving.

Name Change (marriage, divorce, adoption)Name Change (marriage, divorce, adoption)

must be reported to the MVC within must be reported to the MVC within 22

weeks. weeks.

A motorist with a valid out-of-state license A motorist with a valid out-of-state license who moves to New Jersey must apply for who moves to New Jersey must apply for a New Jersey license within 60 days or a New Jersey license within 60 days or before the current license expires, before the current license expires, whichever is sooner. whichever is sooner.

The out-of state license must be The out-of state license must be surrendered prior to receiving a New surrendered prior to receiving a New Jersey license. Jersey license.

Operators of commercial vehicles, such as Operators of commercial vehicles, such as large trucks, buses and vehicles that large trucks, buses and vehicles that transport hazardous materials, must transport hazardous materials, must satisfy more stringent testing standards satisfy more stringent testing standards than the drivers of automobiles or than the drivers of automobiles or motorcycles. motorcycles.

These operators must still possess a valid, These operators must still possess a valid, basic New Jersey driver license prior to basic New Jersey driver license prior to applying for a CDL. applying for a CDL.

Individuals who have Individuals who have nevernever had a driver had a driver license must complete the MVC’s license must complete the MVC’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) ProgramGraduated Driver License (GDL) Program, , which introduces driving privileges in which introduces driving privileges in phases with a period of supervised driving phases with a period of supervised driving before getting a basic driver license. before getting a basic driver license. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10, 39:3-13 through 39:3-(N.J.S.A. 39:3-10, 39:3-13 through 39:3-13.8) 13.8)

All applicants for a New Jersey driver All applicants for a New Jersey driver license license who are under 18 yearswho are under 18 years of age of age must present a completed consent form must present a completed consent form signed by a parent or guardian. (N.J.S.A. signed by a parent or guardian. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-13 and 39:3-13.3) 39:3-13 and 39:3-13.3)

GDL, special learner and examination GDL, special learner and examination permits are valid until all qualifications for permits are valid until all qualifications for a probationary license are met, or for two a probationary license are met, or for two years, whichever occurs first. All others years, whichever occurs first. All others are valid for 90 days. are valid for 90 days.

All applicants for a New Jersey driver license All applicants for a New Jersey driver license must provide:must provide: a full namea full name current address current address Social Security numberSocial Security number 6 Points of ID Verification6 Points of ID Verification and other and other

documentation that verifies that their legal documentation that verifies that their legal presence in the United States is authorized under presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.federal law.

Documents must be in English or have an Documents must be in English or have an approved translation. approved translation.

Digital Driver LicenseDigital Driver License

In 2004, New Jersey ceased the issuance of laminated In 2004, New Jersey ceased the issuance of laminated paper licenses and implemented the use of the digital paper licenses and implemented the use of the digital driver license (DDL). driver license (DDL).

helps to eliminate the prevalence of fraud and abuse. helps to eliminate the prevalence of fraud and abuse.

The DDL includes nearly two dozen security features, The DDL includes nearly two dozen security features, including digital photographs and signature. including digital photographs and signature.

Motorists under 21 years of age are issued a distinctive Motorists under 21 years of age are issued a distinctive vertical-format DDL. vertical-format DDL.

Valid for four years. Valid for four years.

Digital Driver License -Digital Driver License -continuedcontinued

Altering a driver license or showing an Altering a driver license or showing an altered driver license may result in loss of altered driver license may result in loss of a motorist’s driving privilege, a fine of up to a motorist’s driving privilege, a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months $1,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment. imprisonment.

Getting a driver license illegally may result Getting a driver license illegally may result in a fine of up to $200 to $500 and/or in a fine of up to $200 to $500 and/or imprisonment of 30 to 90 days imprisonment of 30 to 90 days

RestrictionsRestrictions If a motorist has a restriction on his/her license (such as the If a motorist has a restriction on his/her license (such as the

need to wear corrective lenses while driving), it will appear on need to wear corrective lenses while driving), it will appear on the license in a coded form.the license in a coded form.

Restrictions are as follows:Restrictions are as follows: • • 1- Corrective lenses required1- Corrective lenses required • • 2- Prosthetic device2- Prosthetic device • • 3- Mechanical device3- Mechanical device • • 4- Hearing impaired4- Hearing impaired • • 5- Attached restrictions*5- Attached restrictions*

* * This category applies to special modifications to an applicant’s vehicle or This category applies to special modifications to an applicant’s vehicle or limited driver privileges for a medical condition. The card detailing the limited driver privileges for a medical condition. The card detailing the attached restrictions must remain with the driver license.attached restrictions must remain with the driver license.

Manuals may be obtained by calling Manuals may be obtained by calling

(888) 486-3339 (888) 486-3339 toll-free in New Jersey or toll-free in New Jersey or

(609) 292-6500 (609) 292-6500 from out of state.from out of state.

Basic Automobile LicenseBasic Automobile License

For all types of Class D motor vehicles For all types of Class D motor vehicles registered by the MVC, except registered by the MVC, except motorcycles.motorcycles.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 18 (Permit: 16)18 (Permit: 16) Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $10$10 Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $24$24 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVR 1KVR 1

ProbationaryProbationary Automobile License Automobile License

.. For all types of Class D motor vehicles For all types of Class D motor vehicles

registered by the MVC, except registered by the MVC, except motorcycles.motorcycles.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 1717 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $10 + $4 decal$10 + $4 decal Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $6$6 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVR 1KVR 1

Commercial Driver LicenseCommercial Driver License

For large trucks, buses and vehicles For large trucks, buses and vehicles (Classes A, B and C).(Classes A, B and C).

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 18/21 18/21 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $35 $35 Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $32$32 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: CKVRCKVR

Motorcycle LicenseMotorcycle License

For most vehicles with fewer than four wheels For most vehicles with fewer than four wheels (Class E). Issued as a separate license or as an (Class E). Issued as a separate license or as an endorsement (M) if the individual already holds a endorsement (M) if the individual already holds a basic New Jersey driver license.basic New Jersey driver license.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 1717 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $5$5 Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $24 $24 or or $18$18 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVRKVR

Probationary Motorcycle LicenseProbationary Motorcycle License

For most vehicles with fewer than four wheels For most vehicles with fewer than four wheels (Class E). Issued as a separate license or as an (Class E). Issued as a separate license or as an endorsement (M) if the individual already holds a endorsement (M) if the individual already holds a basic New Jersey driver license.basic New Jersey driver license.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 1717 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $10 + $4 decal$10 + $4 decal Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $6$6 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVRKVR

Moped LicenseMoped License

For unlicensed motorists 15 years of age For unlicensed motorists 15 years of age and older. Not needed if operator has a and older. Not needed if operator has a Class A, B, C, D or E license.Class A, B, C, D or E license.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 1515 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $5$5 Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $6$6 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVRKVR

Agricultural LicenseAgricultural License

For farming purposes only. May be For farming purposes only. May be granted to persons between 16 and 17 granted to persons between 16 and 17 years old.years old.

Expiration:Expiration: 4 Years4 Years Minimum Age:Minimum Age: 1616 Permit Fee:Permit Fee: $10$10 Photo License Fee:Photo License Fee: $6$6 Test's) Required:Test's) Required: KVRKVR

6 Point ID Verification6 Point ID Verification All New Jersey driver license applicants must All New Jersey driver license applicants must

complete 6 Point ID Verification by presenting complete 6 Point ID Verification by presenting documents that prove their age, identity, and documents that prove their age, identity, and legal presence in the U.S. All applicants must legal presence in the U.S. All applicants must prove identity through a prescribed combination prove identity through a prescribed combination of documents that includes:of documents that includes:

At least one primary documentAt least one primary document At least one secondary documentAt least one secondary document At least six points of IDAt least six points of ID Proof of addressProof of address

6 Point ID Verification cont.6 Point ID Verification cont.

A non-citizen must submit proof of A non-citizen must submit proof of continued legal presence in the United continued legal presence in the United States. The MVC may accept other States. The MVC may accept other documents proving identity, date of birth documents proving identity, date of birth and continued legal presence. and continued legal presence.

Documents must be provided in English.Documents must be provided in English.

Requirements:Requirements: At Least One Primary DocumentAt Least One Primary Document At Least One Secondary DocumentAt Least One Secondary Document documents must be worth 6 points or moredocuments must be worth 6 points or more Proof of AddressProof of Address Social Security NumberSocial Security Number

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONIMPORTANT INFORMATION If your current legal name is different from the name on your If your current legal name is different from the name on your

civil birth certificate (e.g., your maiden name), then you must civil birth certificate (e.g., your maiden name), then you must show legal proof of the name change.show legal proof of the name change.

Legal proof = Legal proof = Certified marriage or civil union certificateCertified marriage or civil union certificate Divorce decree or court order linking the new name with a previous nameDivorce decree or court order linking the new name with a previous name U.S. passport is not proof of legal name changeU.S. passport is not proof of legal name change A divorce decree may be used as authority to resume using a previous A divorce decree may be used as authority to resume using a previous

name only if it contains the new name and the previous name and name only if it contains the new name and the previous name and permits a return to use of the previous name.permits a return to use of the previous name.

All documents must be original All documents must be original or or certified copies in English and have the certified copies in English and have the required state and/or municipal seals. required state and/or municipal seals.

Certified copies of New Jersey records are Certified copies of New Jersey records are available from the municipality that available from the municipality that originally issued them and from the State originally issued them and from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics.Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Choosing Your ID Documents

Use the chart on pages 13 – 15 in yourUse the chart on pages 13 – 15 in your

driver’s manual to select your documents,driver’s manual to select your documents,

or use the online Document Selector at :or use the online Document Selector at :

www.njmvc.gov/6point.www.njmvc.gov/6point.

Graduated Driver License (GDL)

A multi-stage driver licensing system

Purpose of the GDL Gradually introduces driving privileges to first-time

drivers Extends practice driving time Requires a minimum age of 18 in order to receive

an unrestricted, basic driver license.

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 suspension of a motorist’s driving privilege.

Driver License SystemDriver License System

Option AOption A – – The Early Bird The Early Bird RoadRoad

Option BOption B - - The Young Adult The Young Adult RoadRoad

Option COption C - The Adult Road - The Adult Road

Early Bird Young Adult AdultAge for Permit 16 17 18 - 20 21

Guardian consent needed Yes Yes No NoCommercial Driving school needed Yes No No NoPass Knowledge-Vision test Yes Yes Yes YesFee required Yes Yes Yes YesMin. Age for Road Test (RT) 17 17 NA NAMin. driving practice time for RT 6 months 6 months 6 months 3 months1st License issued Probationary Probationary Probationary ProbationaryUnsupervised practice time for basic license 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 yearHour and passenger restrictions Yes Yes Yes NoExemptions for hour/passenger restrictions Employ/Religious Employ/Religious Employ/Religious NA

Special Learner Permit Restrictions(The Early Bird Road)

No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. No using cell phones, hand-held video games or any other

hand-held electronic devices. 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 3 years’ driving experience.

Passengers are limited to any parent, guardian or dependant of the special permit holder and one additional passenger.

Permit holder and all passengers must all wear a seat belt. Must display decals on license plates.

Examination Permit Restrictions(Young Adult and Adult)

No driving between 11:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. (20 yrs or younger)

No using cell phones, hand-held video games or any other hand-held electronic devices.

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 3 years’ driving experience.

Passengers are limited to dependants of the permit holder and one additional person, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian. (20 yrs or younger)

Permit holder and all passengers must wear seat belts. Must display decals on license plates.

Probationary Driver License Probationary Driver License RestrictionsRestrictions

No driving between 11:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. No driving between 11:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. (20 yrs or younger)

No using hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other No using hand-held or hands-free cell phones or any other electronic devices.electronic devices.

Passengers are limited to dependants of the probationary Passengers are limited to dependants of the probationary license holder license holder and one additional person, unless accompanied by and one additional person, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian. a parent/guardian. (20 yrs or younger)

Probationary license holder and all passengers must wear seat Probationary license holder and all passengers must wear seat belts.belts.

Must display decals on license plates.Must display decals on license plates.

NOTENOTE

If the Examination Permit or Provisional License holder is 21 years of age or older, hour and passenger restrictions do not apply.

GDL DecalGDL DecalAll GDL drivers under age 21, who possess a permit or probationaryAll GDL drivers under age 21, who possess a permit or probationary

license, are required to display two visible, red reflective decals,license, are required to display two visible, red reflective decals,

distributed through the MVC on any vehicle that they operate. distributed through the MVC on any vehicle that they operate.

One decal is to be displayed on the top left corner of the rear licenseOne decal is to be displayed on the top left corner of the rear license

plate and the other on the top left corner of the front license plate. plate and the other on the top left corner of the front license plate.

The two, removable, decals are provided to a driver at the time a The two, removable, decals are provided to a driver at the time a permitpermit

is issued for a fee of $4. Additional decals are available for $4 per pairis issued for a fee of $4. Additional decals are available for $4 per pair

at any MVC agency. (39:3-13 and 39:3-13.4f)at any MVC agency. (39:3-13 and 39:3-13.4f)

GDL Driver Exemptions

Exemptions to the hours rule for permit andprovisional drivers under 21 years:

Proof of a need to drive during the prohibited hours for

employment and/or religion. must carry a legible certification to indicate this need

from his/her employer or religious official on the official letterhead of the business, organization or religious institution, with the signature of the certifying official and his/her name, title, address and phone number. (N.J.A.C. 39:21-8.18)

NOTENOTE If the student driver commits a traffic offense,

responsibility will be with both the student and

instructor or adult supervising driver.

NOTENOTE

All motorists who possess a provisional driver license, must visit an MVC agency to upgrade to a basic driver license after the end of those 12 months.

Motorists who fail to do so will remain subject to the provisional driver license restrictions and could be cited by law enforcement for violating the restrictions.

A driver examination permit is

required even if the motorist

possesses a valid license from

another state.

Examination Permits forOut-of-State Drivers

All out-of-state drivers are required to purchase an examination permit within 60 days of becoming a permanent New Jersey resident or when his/her out-of-state license expires, whichever comes first.

Out-of-state drivers who are under 18 years of age and move to New Jersey are subject to this state’s GDL Program. If they wish to apply for a New Jersey license, he/she should follow the steps outlined for special and examination permit holders.

Out-of-state driver licenses must be surrendered when the MVC issues a New Jersey driver license.

Examination Permits forOut-of-Country Drivers

A non-citizen must show formal proof that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has authorized his/her presence in this country under federal law.

Students and their families on visas must show INS Form I-20, student identification cards or certification on school letterhead indicating status.

Note: Foreign drivers may use their native driver licenses as proof of driving experience if their countries are members of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and if the applicants have their licenses translated into English by a consulate or an MVC-approved translator.

Note: Licenses from US Possessions and Territories are considered out-of-country.

Non-Driver ID

An individual, 17 years of age or older, who does not possess a valid driver license may apply for a non-driver identification card.

To obtain an identification card, the individual must show proof of age and provide 6 Points of ID Verification and proof that his/her presence in this country is authorized under federal law.

The cost is $24. The non-driver ID must be surrendered if the individual

applies for and receives a New Jersey driver license.

Hearing-Impaired Designation

A special driver license for deaf or hearing-impaired motorists (41 dB loss or more) is provided by the MVC.

To obtain this license, which is designated with the international symbol of the deaf or a numerical code, a motorist must complete an application, available at any MVC agency.

Verification by a physician or audiologist is required.

Commercial Driver License (CDL)

There are three classes of a commercial license; A, B, and C. However, no one can apply for these licenses until he/she is in possession of a valid basic Class D New Jersey driver license or he/she possesses a valid out-of-state CDL.

Refer to your Driver’s Manual for further information.