New Jersey: Cheat Sheet

The most frequently tested facts and numbers, condensed onto one page — free to print or save.

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Road signs

At a stop sign you must come to a complete stop within five feet of the nearest crosswalk or stop line.
At a yield sign you must slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic on the intersecting road, stopping if necessary.
A YIELD sign is a white inverted triangle with red wording and border, with a white border band.
DO NOT ENTER is a white square with a red circle that has a white horizontal band across its center, with the words in white letters above and below.
When the maximum safe speed around a curve or turn is lower than the posted speed limit, an advisory speed sign is used with the proper warning sign.
These signs alert New Jersey motorists that they must share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists and yield to them.
The manual tells you to watch for signs warning of hills, dips, narrow bridges, bumps and railroad tracks, and to drive slowly in these areas.

Sign shapes and colors

The manual's sign chart lists the red octagon (8 sides) as used for STOP signs only.
Warning signs are yellow and diamond-shaped with a black symbol or word message.
The manual's sign chart lists the yellow pentagon (5 sides) as the shape used for school signs.
The manual's sign chart lists the yellow pennant (3 sides) as the shape used for no-passing warning signs.

Traffic signals

At a steady red light, a motorist going straight must stop before the intersection or crosswalk and remain stopped until the light changes to green.
On a yellow light a motorist should stop before entering the intersection or crosswalk, unless the vehicle is so close that it cannot be stopped safely.
A flashing amber/yellow light means slow down and proceed with care.
A flashing red light means stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and go only when it is safe.
Unless a No Turn on Red sign is posted, New Jersey allows a right turn on red after a full stop and a check for traffic.
If none of a signal's bulbs are working and no one is directing traffic, stop: it is considered a four-way stop sign. Yield to traffic from the left or right and go only when safe.
A police officer can overrule traffic signals, and law enforcement orders or directions must always be obeyed.

Right of way & turning

You must yield to other vehicles that are already in the intersection.
At a multi-way stop, a driver must yield to the motorist on the right if both arrive at the same time.
At a multi-way stop, you must yield to any vehicle already stopped at the intersection.
When making a left turn, you must yield to oncoming traffic and stop for pedestrians within a crosswalk.
A motorist coming from a private road or driveway must yield to all traffic on the main road.
In most cases, the circle's historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right-of-way.

Alcohol & drugs

New Jersey law makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.
For individuals younger than 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher, and violators face severe penalties on top of other DUI/DWI penalties.
Only time can make a person sober, because the body removes alcohol slowly; this is why sober-up-quick methods do not work.
One drink equals 1.5 ounces of liquor, which has about the same alcohol as a 12-ounce beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine.
Under implied consent, motorists have agreed, by using New Jersey roadways, to submit to a breath test given by law enforcement or hospital staff after an arrest for an intoxicated driving offense.
For a first alcohol DUI offense on or after 12/1/19 with a BAC below 0.15%, the chart lists loss of license indefinitely until an interlock device is installed.
It is illegal to drive on New Jersey roadways while under the influence of any drugs or while in possession of any drug without a valid prescription.

Speed & following distance

New Jersey sets a 25 mph limit in school zones and in business or residential districts unless a different limit is posted.
Non-posted rural roadways in New Jersey have a 50 mph speed limit.
New Jersey lists 55 mph for certain state highways (as posted) and interstates.
The rule of thumb most often used is to keep one car length back (about 20 feet) for each 10 miles per hour of speed.
If it takes at least three seconds before your vehicle passes the object, you should have enough distance for a sudden stop.

Sharing the road

State law requires a motorist to stop at least 25 feet away from a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road.
On a dual-lane highway, a motorist on the other side of a safety island or raised median should slow to 10 mph.
A motorist must stop and then drive past the frozen dessert truck at no more than 15 mph.
On a single-lane road, drivers must allow at least four feet of space when passing a vulnerable road user.
No-zones are blind spots in which the truck, tractor-trailer or bus driver cannot see other vehicles.
The manual tells motorists to watch for motorcycles at intersections and when making a left turn.

Pedestrian rights

You must yield to motorized or mobility-assistance devices when they are in a crosswalk or seeking to cross a road.
You must remain stopped until the pedestrian has safely cleared your lane and the adjacent lane in the same direction.
Never pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
Motorists must stop for a blind pedestrian using a white or metallic walking cane or a trained guide dog.

Railroad crossings

A motorist must stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing when there are flashing red lights, ringing bells, descending or lowered gates, or flag signals.
School buses, buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials must always stop at railroad crossings, so a motorist behind them must be prepared to stop even if no train is signaled.
Run at a 45-degree angle away from the vehicle and tracks but in the direction of the train, to avoid being hit by flying debris.

Signals & vehicle controls

A motorist should put on the turn signal at least 100 feet before turning (N.J.S.A. 39:4-126).
New Jersey law requires headlights between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
New Jersey law requires headlights whenever you are using your windshield wipers, such as during rain, snow, and ice.

Pavement markings

When both center lines are solid, no passing is allowed.
When one center line is broken, passing is allowed only on the side with the broken line.
Yellow center lines separate traffic flow going in opposite directions.

Emergencies and special situations

A vehicle may spin if the wheel is turned quickly away from the skid; instead, turn in the direction the rear is skidding, without oversteering.
Remove your foot from the gas pedal but do not brake; let the vehicle coast to a stop as you pull to a safe area off the road.
You must send a written report to the MVC within 10 days if no police report is filed.

Emergency vehicles & work zones

A motorist should steer to the extreme right of the roadway, stop, and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass.
The Move Over law requires motorists, when safety and traffic permit, to change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary emergency or disabled vehicle.
New Jersey doubles traffic fines for motor vehicle violations committed in roadway construction zones (N.J.S.A. 39:4-203.5).

Driving record & points

Accumulating between 12 and 14 points in a 24-month period brings a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the MVC.
A probationary driver convicted of two or more moving violations totaling four or more points must enroll in the Probationary Driver Program.
Speeding 1-14 mph over the limit carries 2 points; 15-29 mph over carries 4 and 30 mph or more carries 5.

Licensing basics

A permit holder under Options A and B must complete a minimum of 50 practice driving hours, 10 of them during darkness.
New Jersey's special learner permit, examination permit and probationary license restrictions all prohibit driving between 11:01 pm and 5:00 am (the hour rule does not apply to examination permit or probationary holders who are 21 or older).
A probationary license holder's passengers are limited to their dependents and one additional person, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
GDL drivers under 21 with a permit or probationary license must display two visible, red reflective decals, distributed through the MVC, on any vehicle they operate.

Financial responsibility & insurance

Motor vehicle liability insurance is mandatory in New Jersey, and every registered vehicle must have it.
The penalty chart lists a 1-year loss of license for a first offense of driving with no insurance.

Seat belts & child safety

New Jersey law requires the driver and all passengers of a passenger vehicle to wear a seat belt.
Children under 8 who are under 57 inches tall must ride in a federally approved forward-facing restraint with a five-point harness, or a federally approved booster seat, in a rear seat.

Distracted driving

Using a handheld cell phone or texting device is a primary offense; police may stop and cite a motorist specifically for it.
A GDL holder may not use a handheld or hands-free cell phone, or any other handheld electronic device, when behind the wheel; doing so violates GDL restrictions.

Freeway driving

You must yield to traffic already traveling on the main road before moving into the proper lane.
If you miss an exit ramp, go on to the next exit.

Parking rules

New Jersey law prohibits stopping or parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
You may not stop or park within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, except at alleys.

Seniors and driving

The manual advises motorists over age 40 to have their eyes checked every year.
Defensive driving courses are available to mature drivers 55 years and older at driving schools or through specific organizations.