Bill Text: NJ A2032 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes certain additional examination and special learner's permit requirements.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A2032 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A2032-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman YVONNE LOPEZ
District 19 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman THOMAS P. GIBLIN
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Chaparro and Jasey
SYNOPSIS
Establishes certain additional examination and special learner's permit requirements.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning examination permits and special learner's permits and amending various parts of the statutory law.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:3-13 is amended to read as follows:
39:3-13. The chief administrator may, in the chief administrator's discretion, issue to a person over 17 years of age an examination permit, under the hand and seal of the chief administrator, allowing [such] that person, for the purpose of fitting the person to become a licensed driver, to operate a designated class of motor vehicles other than passenger automobiles and motorcycles for a specified period of not more than 90 days, while in the company and under the supervision of a driver licensed to operate [such] the designated class of motor vehicles.
The chief administrator, in the chief administrator's discretion, may issue for a specified period of not less than one year a passenger automobile or motorcycle-only examination permit to a person over 17 years of age regardless of whether a person has completed a course of behind-the-wheel automobile driving education pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.1). An examination permit applicant who is under 18 years of age shall obtain the signature of a parent or guardian for submission to the commission on a form prescribed by the chief administrator. The chief administrator shall postpone for six months the driving privileges of any person who submits a fraudulent signature for a parent or guardian.
For [six months] one year
immediately following the validation of an examination permit, and until the
holder passes the road test, the holder who is less than 21 years of age shall
operate the passenger automobile only when accompanied by, and under the
supervision of, a New Jersey licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age
and has been licensed to drive a passenger automobile for not less than three
years. The holder of an examination permit who is at least 21 years of age
shall operate the passenger automobile for the first three months under [such] this
supervision and until the holder passes the road test. The supervising driver
of the passenger automobile shall sit in the front seat of the vehicle.
Whenever operating a vehicle while in possession of an examination permit, the
holder of the permit shall operate the passenger automobile with only one
additional passenger in the vehicle excluding dependents of the permit holder,
except that this passenger restriction shall not apply when the permit holder
is at least 21 years of age or when the
permit holder is accompanied by a parent or guardian. Further, the holder of the passenger automobile permit who is less than 21 years of age shall not drive during the hours between 11:01 p.m. and [5] 5:00 a.m.; provided, however, that this condition may be waived for an emergency which, in the judgment of local police, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to substantially endanger the health, safety, welfare, or property of a person, or for any bona fide employment or religion-related activity if the employer or appropriate religious authority provides written verification of [such] the activity in a manner provided for by the chief administrator. The holder of the examination permit shall not use any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device, except in an emergency, while operating a moving passenger automobile on a public road or highway. "Use" shall include, but not be limited to, talking or listening on any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device or operating its keys, buttons, or other controls. The passenger automobile permit holder shall ensure that all occupants of the vehicle are secured in a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child restraint system.
The holder of an examination permit subject to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1977, c.23 (C.39:3-10b) shall not operate a motorcycle at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. A motorcycle operated by the holder of an examination permit shall carry only the operator and shall not be operated on any toll road over which the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or the South Jersey Transportation Authority has jurisdiction or on any limited-access interstate highway.
The holder of any examination permit shall not operate a motorcycle having a motor with a maximum piston displacement that is less than 50 cubic centimeters or a motor that is rated at no more than 1.5 brake horsepower with a maximum speed of no more than 35 miles per hour on a flat surface at anytime from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and shall not operate the motorcycle with any other passenger. The holder of any examination permit shall not operate such a motorcycle upon limited-access interstate highways or public roads or highways with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour.
An applicant for an examination permit subject to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1977, c.23 (C.39:3-10b), who is less than 18 years of age, shall be required to successfully complete a motorcycle safety education course established pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1991, c.452 (C.27:5F-36) as a condition for obtaining a motorcycle license or endorsement.
The chief administrator shall provide the holder of an examination permit with two removable, transferable, highly visible, reflective decals indicating that the driver of the vehicle may be the holder of an examination permit. The decals shall be designed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The chief administrator may charge a fee for the decals not to exceed the actual cost of producing and distributing the decals. The decals shall be displayed in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, and shall be clearly visible to law enforcement officers. The holder of an examination permit shall not operate a vehicle unless the decals are displayed. The decal shall be removed once the driver's examination permit period has ended.
When notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that an examination permit holder has been convicted of a violation which causes the permit holder to accumulate more than two motor vehicle points or has been convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-50; section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a); section 1 of P.L.1992, c.189 (C.39:4-50.14); R.S.39:4-129; N.J.S.2C:11-5; section 1 of P.L.2017, c.165 (C.2C:11-5.3); subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; or any other motor vehicle-related law the chief administrator deems significant and applicable pursuant to regulation, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the examination permit holder's examination permit for 90 days. The chief administrator shall restore the permit following the term of the permit suspension if the permit holder satisfactorily completes a remedial training course of not less than four hours which may be given by the commission, a driving school licensed by the chief administrator pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-2), or any Statewide safety organization approved by the chief administrator. The course shall be subject to oversight by the commission according to its guidelines. The permit holder shall also remit a course fee prior to the commencement of the course. The chief administrator also shall postpone without the exercise of discretion or a hearing the issuance of a basic license for 90 days if the chief administrator is notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that the examination permit holder, after completion of the remedial training course, has been convicted of any motor vehicle violation which results in the imposition of any motor vehicle points or has been convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-50; section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a); section 1 of P.L.1992, c.189 (C.39:4-50.14); R.S.39:4-129; N.J.S.2C:11-5; subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; or any other motor vehicle-related law the chief administrator deems significant and applicable pursuant to regulation. When the chief administrator is notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that an examination permit holder has been convicted of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to the operation of a motor vehicle and is not otherwise subject to any other suspension penalty therefor, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the examination permit for six months.
An examination permit for a motorcycle or a commercial motor vehicle issued to a person with a disability, as determined by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission after consultation with the Department of Education, shall be valid for nine months or until the completion of the road test portion of the license examination, whichever period is shorter.
Each permit shall be sufficient license for the person to operate [such] the designated class of motor vehicles in this State during the period specified, while in the company of and under the control of a driver licensed by this State to operate [such] the designated class of motor vehicles, or, in the case of a commercial driver license permit, while in the company of and under the control of a holder of a valid commercial driver license for the appropriate license class and with the appropriate endorsements issued by this or any other state. [Such] The person, as well as the licensed driver, except for a motor vehicle examiner administering a driving skills test, shall be held accountable for all violations of this subtitle committed by [such] the person while in the presence of the licensed driver.
In addition to requiring an applicant for an examination permit to submit satisfactory proof of identity and age in accordance with the type of license for which the applicant has applied, the chief administrator also shall require the applicant to provide the requisite number of documents providing satisfactory proof that the applicant is a resident of the State in accordance with the provisions of R.S.39:3-10.
Any documents and personal information, including an applicant's photograph, obtained by the commission from an applicant for a standard permit shall be confidential, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission for any purposes related to Title 8 of the United States Code without the informed consent of the applicant, a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, or a lawful court order or subpoena; except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action where such prohibition or restriction would be contrary to federal law. When responding to a warrant, court order, or subpoena, the commission may disclose only those records or information specifically requested in the warrant, court order, or subpoena.
Possession of a standard permit issued pursuant to this section shall not be considered evidence of an individual's citizenship or immigration status and shall not be used as a basis for an investigation, arrest, citation, prosecution, or detention.
Information regarding an applicant's Individual [Tax] Taxpayer Identification Number, social security number, or ineligibility to receive a social security number obtained by the commission for the issuance of a standard permit pursuant to this section, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission except where: (1) required by section 11 of P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.60); (2) the applicant provides written informed consent to the disclosure; (3) the requesting entity presents a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, a lawful court order, or a subpoena; (4) required by State or federal law, and to the extent that the disclosure may be necessary to permit the State to participate in the National Driver Register program, as set forth in 49 U.S.C. s.30301 et seq.; or (5) the disclosure is in connection with an audit or investigation of identity fraud, driver's license fraud, or non-driver identification card fraud.
If the chief administrator has reasonable cause to suspect that any document presented by an applicant pursuant to this section is altered, false, or otherwise invalid, the chief administrator shall refuse to grant the permit until [such time as] the document [may be] is verified by the issuing agency to the chief administrator's satisfaction.
A person violating this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, but if that person has never been licensed to drive in this State or any other jurisdiction, the applicant shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 and, in addition, the court shall issue an order to the commission requiring the commission to refuse to issue a license to operate a motor vehicle to the person for a period of not less than 180 days.
A probationary driver's license shall not be issued to the holder of an examination permit under the age of 21 unless the permit holder completes a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which shall be completed during hours of darkness. The permit holder's parent or guardian, or the person who accompanied and supervised the permit holder during the practice driving shall certify that the permit holder has completed the required number of hours of practice driving, including the required number of hours during hours of darkness. The chief administrator shall suspend for six months the driving privileges of any examination permit holder who submits a fraudulent certification of a parent, guardian, or supervising driver.
The holder of an examination permit shall be required to take a road test in order to obtain a probationary license. No road test for any person who has been issued an examination permit to operate a passenger vehicle shall be given unless the person has met the requirements of this section. No road test for a probationary license shall be given unless the applicant has first secured an examination permit and no [such] road test shall be scheduled for an applicant who has secured an examination permit for a passenger vehicle or a motorcycle for which an endorsement is not required until at least [six months] one year, for an applicant under 21 years of age, or three months, for an applicant 21 years of age or older [shall] , have elapsed following the validation of the examination permit for practice driving, or, in the case of an examination permit for other vehicles, until 20 days have elapsed. In the case of an omnibus endorsement or school bus, no road test shall be scheduled until at least 10 days shall have elapsed. Every applicant for an examination permit to qualify for an omnibus endorsement or an articulated vehicle endorsement shall be a holder of a valid basic driver's license.
The required fees for special learner's permits and examination permits shall be as follows:
Basic driver's license................................up to $10
Motorcycle license or endorsement..................................$ 5
Omnibus or school bus endorsement................................$25
The chief administrator shall waive the payment of fees for issuance of examination permits for omnibus endorsements whenever the applicant establishes to the chief administrator's satisfaction that [said] the applicant will use the omnibus endorsement exclusively for operating omnibuses owned by a nonprofit organization duly incorporated under Title 15 or 16 of the Revised Statutes or Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes.
The specified period for which a permit is issued may be extended for not more than an additional 60 days, without payment of an added fee, upon application made by the holder thereof, where the holder has applied to take the examination for a driver's license prior to the expiration of the original period for which the permit was issued and the chief administrator was unable to schedule an examination during [said] the period.
As a condition for the issuance of an examination permit under this section, the chief administrator shall secure a digitized photograph of the applicant. The photograph shall be stored in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator and may be displayed on the examination permit.
The chief administrator may require that whenever a person to whom an examination permit has been issued has reconstructive or cosmetic surgery which significantly alters the person's facial features, the person shall notify the chief administrator who may require the photograph of the person to be updated.
Specific use of the examination permit and any information stored or encoded, electronically or otherwise, in relation thereto shall be in accordance with P.L.1997, c.188 (C.39:2-3.3 et seq.) and the federal "Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994," Pub.L.103-322. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, the digitized photograph or any access thereto or any use thereof shall not be sold, leased, or exchanged for value.
(cf: P.L.2019, c.271, s.12)
2. Section 1 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may issue to a person over 16 years of age a special learner's permit, under the hand and seal of the chief administrator, allowing [such] the person, for the purpose of preparing to qualify for a probationary license for a passenger automobile by operating a dual pedal controlled motor vehicle while taking a required course of one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving education approved by the State Department of Education and conducted in a public, parochial, or private school of this State or a course of one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving instruction conducted by a drivers' school duly licensed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.). The special learner's permit shall be issued in lieu of the examination permit provided for in R.S.39:3-13.
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to prohibit a public, parochial, or private school or a driver's school licensed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.) from permitting additional students in the one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving instruction course, or the parents of the students, from being present in the rear seat of the vehicle being used to provide behind-the-wheel instruction, provided that the time a student spends in the rear seat of the vehicle shall not be considered behind-the-wheel automobile instruction for the purposes of the course.
Within 12 months of the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the commission shall adopt standard, up-to-date guidelines to be implemented by public, parochial, or private schools and licensed drivers' schools offering the course of behind-the-wheel automobile driving education required by this section. These guidelines shall be developed by the commission in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, the State Department of Education, and licensed drivers' schools in this State.
In addition to requiring an applicant for a permit to submit satisfactory proof of identity and age in accordance with the type of license for which the applicant has applied, the chief administrator also shall require the applicant to provide the requisite number of documents providing satisfactory proof that the applicant is a resident of the State.
Any documents and personal information, including an applicant's photograph, obtained by the commission from an applicant for a standard permit shall be confidential, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission for any purpose related to Title 8 of the United States Code without the informed consent of the applicant, a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, or a lawful court order or subpoena; except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action where such prohibition or restriction would be contrary to federal law. When responding to a warrant, court order, or subpoena, the commission may disclose only those records or information specifically requested in the warrant, court order, or subpoena.
Possession of a standard permit issued pursuant to this section shall not be considered evidence of an individual's citizenship or immigration status and shall not be used as a basis for an investigation, arrest, citation, prosecution, or detention.
Information regarding an applicant's Individual [Tax] Taxpayer Identification Number, social security number, or ineligibility to receive a social security number obtained by the commission for the issuance of a standard permit pursuant to this section, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission except where: (1) required by section 11 of P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.60); (2) the applicant provides written informed consent to the disclosure; (3) the requesting entity presents a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, a lawful court order, or a subpoena; (4) required by State or federal law, and to the extent that the disclosure may be necessary to permit the State to participate in the National Driver Register program, as set forth in 49 U.S.C. s.30301 et seq.; or (5) the disclosure is in connection with an audit or investigation of identity fraud, driver's license fraud, or non-driver identification card fraud.
If the chief administrator has reasonable cause to suspect that any document presented by an applicant pursuant to this section is altered, false or otherwise invalid, the chief administrator shall refuse to grant the permit until such time as the document may be verified by the issuing agency to the chief administrator's satisfaction.
A person violating this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, but if that person has never been licensed to drive in this State or any other jurisdiction, the applicant shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 and, in addition, the court shall issue an order to the commission requiring the commission to refuse to issue a license to operate a motor vehicle to the person for a period of not less than 180 days.
The special learner's permit described above, when issued to a person taking a course of one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving education conducted in a public, parochial, or private school, shall be retained in the office of the school principal at all times except [during such time as] when the person to whom the permit is issued is undergoing one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving instruction. The chief administrator may make [such] rules and regulations as [he] the chief administrator may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(cf: P.L.2019, c.271, s.13)
3. Section 6 of P.L.1977, c.25 (C.39:3-13.2a) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. Any person to whom a special learner's permit has been issued pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.1), upon successful completion of a State approved written examination, eye examination, and an approved minimum six-hour one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving course, shall be entitled to retain the special learner's permit in [his] the person's own possession. The special learner's permit shall be validated by the commission for the purpose of driving a motor vehicle on a public highway in this State after the holder has successfully met the necessary examination requirements, and upon the successful completion of a one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving course. [Such] The person may operate a motor vehicle of the class for which a basic driver's license is required except during the hours between 11:01 [p.m.] p.m. and 5:00 [a.m.] a.m. while in the company and under the supervision, from the front passenger seat, of a licensed motor vehicle driver of this State who is over 21 years of age and has been licensed to drive a passenger automobile for at least three years. [Such] The special learner's permit shall be valid until [such] the person's [seventeenth] 17th birthday or until [he] the person qualifies for a probationary license. Except during an instructional period of a behind-the-wheel driving course, the holder of a special learner's permit shall operate a passenger automobile with only the following passengers: (1) the supervising passenger; (2) any parent, guardian, or dependent of the special learner's permit holder; and (3) one additional passenger. The holder of the special learner's permit shall not use any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device, except in an emergency, while operating a moving passenger automobile on a public road or highway. "Use" shall include, but not be limited to, talking or listening on any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device or operating its keys, buttons, or other controls. All occupants of the automobile shall be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child restraint system.
The chief administrator shall provide the holder of a special learner's permit with two removable, transferable, highly visible, reflective decals indicating that the driver of the vehicle may be the holder of a special learner's permit. The decals shall be designed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The chief administrator may charge a fee for the decals not to exceed the actual cost of producing and distributing the decals. The decals shall be displayed in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, and shall be clearly visible to law enforcement officers. The holder of a special learner's permit shall not operate a vehicle unless the decals are displayed. The decal shall be removed once the driver's special learner's permit period has ended.
b. When notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a special learner's permit holder has been convicted of a violation which causes the permit holder to accumulate more than two motor vehicle points or has been convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-50; section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a); section 1 of P.L.1992, c.189 (C.39:4-50.14); R.S.39:4-129; N.J.S.2C:11-5; section 1 of P.L.2017, c.165 (C.2C:11-5.3) [,] ; subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; or any other motor vehicle-related law the chief administrator determines to be significant and applicable pursuant to regulation, and in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the holder's special learner's permit for 90 days. The chief administrator shall restore the permit following the term of the permit suspension if the permit holder, regardless of age, satisfactorily completes a remedial training course of not less than four hours which may be given by the commission, a driving school licensed by the chief administrator pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-2), or any Statewide safety organization approved by the chief administrator. The course shall be administered pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the chief administrator and subject to oversight by the commission. The authority of the chief administrator to suspend, revoke, or deny issuance of an initial or renewal license to operate a driving school or an instructor's license, and to assess fines, pursuant to P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.) shall apply to any violations related to the administration of a remedial training course. The permit holder shall also remit a course fee prior to the commencement of the course. If, after completion of the remedial training course, the chief administrator is notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that the special learner's permit holder has been convicted of any motor vehicle violation which results in the imposition of any motor vehicle points or has been convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-50; section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a); section 1 of P.L.1992, c.189 (C.39:4-50.14); R.S.39:4-129; N.J.S.2C:11-5; subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; or any other motor vehicle-related law the chief administrator deems significant and applicable pursuant to regulation, the chief administrator, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, shall also postpone the issuance of a basic license for 90 days. When the chief administrator is notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a special learner's permit holder has been convicted of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to the operation of a motor vehicle and [he] the special learner's permit holder is not otherwise subject to any other suspension penalty therefor, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the special learner's permit for six months.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.165, s.12)
4. Section 3 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.3) is amended to read as follows:
3. No special learner's permit shall be issued unless the person applying therefor shall present a written application for the same, bearing a certification by the principal of the school indicating that the person is enrolled in an approved one-on-one behind-the-wheel driving education course in the principal's school [of which he is principal] or by the person operating a duly licensed drivers' school indicating that the person has contracted to take a course of one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving instruction offered by the school and shall pay a sum of up to $10 as determined by the [director] chief administrator to an agent of the [Division of Motor Vehicles] commission, which sum shall be turned over by the agent to the [director] chief administrator, and by [him] the chief administrator remitted with the other funds collected [in his division] by the commission to the State Treasurer, in accordance with law. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to prohibit a public, parochial, or private school or a driver's school licensed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.) from permitting additional students in the one-on-one behind-the-wheel automobile driving instruction course, or the parents of the students, from being present in the rear seat of the vehicle being used to provide behind-the-wheel instruction, provided that the time a student spends in the rear seat of the vehicle shall not be considered behind-the-wheel automobile instruction for the purposes of the course. A special learner's permit to operate a passenger automobile shall not be issued to any person younger than 18 years of age without the signature of a parent or guardian. The signature shall be submitted to the [division] commission on a form prescribed by the [director] chief administrator. The [director] chief administrator shall postpone for six months the driving privileges of any [person] special learner's permit applicant who submits a fraudulent signature for a parent or guardian.
(cf: P.L.1998, c.108, s.6)
5. Section 4 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.4) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. The holder of a special learner's permit shall be entitled to a probationary driver's license [(1)] upon: (1) attaining the age of 17 years [,] ; (2) [upon] the satisfactory completion of an approved one-on-one behind-the-wheel driver training course as indicated upon the face of the special learner's permit over the signature of the principal of the school or the person operating the driving school in which the course was conducted [,] ; (3) [upon] the completion of [six months'] one year of driving experience with a validated special learner's permit in compliance with the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1977, c.25 (C.39:3-13.2a) [, and] ; (4) [upon] passing the road test pursuant to R.S.39:3-10; and (5) completing a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which shall be completed during hours of darkness. The permit holder's parent or guardian, or the person who accompanied and supervised the permit holder during the practice driving shall certify that the permit holder has completed the required number of hours of practice driving, including the required number of hours during hours of darkness. The chief administrator shall suspend for six months the driving privileges of any special learner's permit holder who submits a fraudulent certification of a parent, guardian, or supervising driver.
b. The holder of a probationary license shall be permitted to operate the passenger automobile with only one additional passenger in the vehicle besides any dependent of the probationary license holder, except that this passenger restriction shall not apply when the holder of the probationary license is at least 21 years of age or the probationary license holder is accompanied by a parent or guardian. Further, the holder of the probationary license who is under 21 years of age shall not drive during the hours between 11:01 p.m. and [5] 5:00 a.m.; provided however, that this condition may be waived for an emergency which, in the judgment of local police, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to substantially endanger the health, safety, welfare, or property of a person or for any bona fide employment or religion-related activity if the employer or appropriate religious authority provides written verification of such activity in a manner provided for by the chief administrator.
c. The holder of the probationary license shall not use any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device, except in an emergency, while operating a moving passenger automobile on a public road or highway. "Use" shall include, but not be limited to, talking or listening on any hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device or operating its keys, buttons, or other controls. In addition, the holder of the probationary license shall ensure that all occupants of the vehicle are secured in a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child restraint system.
d. In addition to any other penalties provided under law, the holder of a probationary license who accumulates more than two motor vehicle points or is convicted of a violation of R.S.39:4-50; section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a); section 1 of P.L.1992, c.189 (C.39:4-50.14); R.S.39:4-129; N.J.S.2C:11-5; section 1 of P.L.2017, c.165 (C.2C:11-5.3); subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:12-1; or any other motor vehicle law the chief administrator deems to be significant and applicable pursuant to regulation shall, for the first violation, be required to satisfactorily complete a remedial training course of not less than four hours which may be given by the commission, a driving school licensed by the chief administrator pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-2), or any Statewide safety organization approved by the chief administrator. The course shall be administered pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the chief administrator and subject to oversight by the commission. The authority of the chief administrator to suspend, revoke, or deny issuance of an initial or renewal license to operate a driving school or an instructor's license, and to assess fines, pursuant to P.L.1951, c.216 (C.39:12-1 et seq.) shall apply to any violations related to the administration of a remedial training course. The license holder shall also remit a course fee prior to the commencement of the course.
e. When notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a probationary license holder has been convicted of a second or subsequent violation, in addition to any other penalties provided under law, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the probationary license for three months, and shall postpone eligibility for a basic license for an equivalent period. In addition, when the chief administrator is notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a probationary license holder has been convicted of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to the operation of a motor vehicle, and [he] the probationary license holder is not otherwise subject to any other suspension penalty therefor, the chief administrator shall, without the exercise of discretion or a hearing, suspend the probationary license for six months.
f. The chief administrator shall provide the holder of a probationary license with two removable, transferable, highly visible, reflective decals indicating that the driver of the vehicle may be the holder of a probationary license. The decals shall be designed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The chief administrator may charge a fee for the decals not to exceed the actual cost of producing and distributing the decals. The decals shall be displayed in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, and shall be clearly visible to law enforcement officers. The holder of a probationary license shall not operate a vehicle unless the decals are displayed. The decal shall be removed once the driver's probationary license period has ended.
g. A probationary license may be sent by mail and shall be clearly identifiable and distinguishable in appearance from a basic license by any name, mark, color, or device deemed appropriate by the chief administrator.
h. A person issued a probationary license pursuant to this section may be issued a standard probationary license or a REAL ID probationary license. The chief administrator shall require an applicant for a standard probationary license to provide as proof of the applicant's identity, age, and residence primary and secondary documents, with which the chief administrator shall attribute point values in accordance with the point based identification verification program established pursuant to section 28 of P.L.2003, c.13 (C.39:2A-28). The point total required to prove the identity of an applicant for the standard probationary license shall be the same for every applicant, regardless of immigration status. In the event that the commission changes the point total threshold, the requirement that every applicant reach the same point total threshold shall remain in effect.
In addition to requiring an applicant for a probationary license to submit satisfactory proof of identity and age, the chief administrator shall require the applicant to provide:
(1) as a condition for obtaining a standard probationary license, proof of the applicant's social security number and one document providing satisfactory proof that the applicant is a New Jersey resident. If the applicant does not have a social security number, the applicant shall either:
(a) provide satisfactory proof of an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; or
(b) indicate, in a manner prescribed by the commission and consistent with all other provisions of P.L.2019, c.271 (C.39:3-10o et al.), that the person is not eligible to receive a social security number; or
(2) as a condition for obtaining a REAL ID probationary license: two documents providing satisfactory proof that the applicant is a New Jersey resident; proof of the applicant's social security number or verification of ineligibility for a social security number in accordance with the "REAL ID Act of 2005," Pub.L.109-13, any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted thereunder; and proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
A standard probationary license shall indicate that the license shall not be accepted as identification for an official purpose, as that term is defined under the "REAL ID Act of 2005," Pub.L.109-13, any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted thereunder.
If the chief administrator has reasonable cause to suspect that any document presented by an applicant pursuant to this section is altered, false, or otherwise invalid, the chief administrator shall refuse to grant the probationary license until such time as the document may be verified by the issuing agency to the chief administrator's satisfaction.
A person violating this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, but if that person has never been licensed to drive in this State or any other jurisdiction, the applicant shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 and, in addition, the court shall issue an order to the commission requiring the commission to refuse to issue a license to operate a motor vehicle to the person for a period of not less than 180 days.
i. Any documents and personal information, including an applicant's photograph, obtained by the commission from an applicant for a standard probationary license shall be confidential, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission for any purpose related to Title 8 of the United States Code without the informed consent of the applicant, a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, or a lawful court order or subpoena; except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action where such prohibition or restriction would be contrary to federal law. When responding to a warrant, court order, or subpoena, the commission may disclose only those records or information specifically requested in the warrant, court order, or subpoena.
Possession of a standard probationary license issued pursuant to this section shall not be considered evidence of an individual's citizenship or immigration status and shall not be used as a basis for an investigation, arrest, citation, prosecution, or detention.
Information regarding an applicant's Individual [Tax] Taxpayer Identification Number, social security number, or ineligibility to receive a social security number obtained by the commission for the issuance of a standard probationary license pursuant to this section, shall not be considered a government record pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), P.L.2001, c.404 (C.47:1A-5 et al.), or the common law concerning access to government records, and shall not be disclosed by the commission except where: (1) required by section 11 of P.L.1998, c.1 (C.2A:17-56.60); (2) the applicant provides written informed consent to the disclosure; (3) the requesting entity presents a warrant signed by a State or federal judge, a lawful court order, or a subpoena; (4) required by State or federal law, and to the extent that the disclosure may be necessary to permit the State to participate in the National Driver Register program, as set forth in 49 U.S.C. s.30301 et seq.; or (5) the disclosure is in connection with an audit or investigation of identity fraud, driver's license fraud, or non-driver identification card fraud.
(cf: P.L.2019, c.271, s.14)
6. Section 8 of P.L.1998, c.108 (C.27:5F-41) is amended to read as follows:
8. a. The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, after consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, shall develop curriculum guidelines for use by teachers of approved classroom driver education courses. The course of instruction for approved courses shall be no less than 30 hours in length and be designed to develop and instill the knowledge and attitudes necessary for the safe operation and driving of motor vehicles. Defensive driving; highway courtesy; dangers of driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner, which shall include, but not be limited to, unexpectedly altering the speed of a vehicle, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, and following another vehicle too closely; accident avoidance; understanding and respect for the State's motor vehicle laws; techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a vehicle, which shall include, but not be limited to, safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles; insurance fraud; operating a motor vehicle in a manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall include, but not be limited to, passing a cyclist on the roadway, recognizing bicycle lanes, navigating intersections with pedestrians and cyclists, and exiting a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists; and State requirements for and benefits of maintaining automobile insurance shall be emphasized. The incorporation of these curriculum guidelines in these classroom courses and the use of related instructional materials shall be a requirement for approval of the course by the chief administrator.
b. The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, in consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, shall produce an informational brochure for parents and guardians of beginning drivers under the age of 18 years. The commission shall ensure that the parents or guardians of a permit holder receive these brochures at the time a permit is issued to a beginning driver. The brochures shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) Setting an example for the beginning driver;
(2) Accident and fatality statistics about beginning drivers;
(3) Causes of accidents among beginning drivers;
(4) The need to supervise vehicle operation by a beginning driver;
(5) Methods to coach a beginning driver on how to reduce accidents;
(6) A description of the graduated driver's license program;
(7) Benefits of classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education under the direction of State certified or licensed driving instructors, as the case may be;
(8) The dangers of driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner, which shall include, but not be limited to, unexpectedly altering the speed of a vehicle, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, and following another vehicle too closely;
(9) The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and techniques for the safe operation and proper maintenance of a vehicle, which shall include, but not be limited to, safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles; [and]
(10) Maintaining an awareness of operating a motor vehicle in a manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall include, but not be limited to, passing a cyclist on the roadway, recognizing bicycle lanes, navigating intersections with pedestrians and cyclists, and exiting a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists; and
(11) a sample practice driving log.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.374, s.2)
7. This act shall take effect on the first day of the 13th month after enactment, but the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission may take anticipatory actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill adds new examination permit and special learner's permit requirements.
Under the bill, holders of examination permits and special learner's permits under the age of 21 are required to complete at least 50 hours of practice driving, at least 10 hours of which are to be completed during hours of darkness. The parent, guardian, or the supervising driver of a permit holder is to certify that these hours of practice driving were completed. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) is to suspend the driving privileges of any permit holder who submits a fraudulent certification.
The bill provides that the six-hour, behind-the-wheel automobile driving education course required pursuant to the State's graduated driver licensing law is to be completed through one-on-one instruction. However, the bill provides that a public, parochial, or private school or a licensed drivers' school may permit additional students in the course or the parents of the students to be present in the rear seat of the vehicle, provided that the time a student spends in the rear seat of the vehicle is not to be considered behind-the-wheel automobile instruction for the purposes of the course.
The bill requires the MVC, in consultation with the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, the State Department of Education, and licensed driving schools in this State, to adopt standard, up-to-date guidelines to be implemented by public, private, and parochial schools and licensed drivers' schools offering behind-the-wheel automobile driving education.
The bill increases, from six months to 12 months, the amount of time that a permit holder is required to hold a permit before becoming eligible for a probationary license.
The bill also requires a sample practice driving log, in addition to other required information, to be included in informational brochures distributed to parents and guardians of beginning drivers under the age of 18.
