Bill Text: NJ A5250 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes additional penalties for certain violations committed by holders of examination permits, special learner's permits, or probationary driver's licenses.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A5250 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-A5250-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARISA SWEENEY
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes additional penalties for certain violations committed by holders of examination permits, special learner's permits, or probationary driver's licenses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning examination permits, special learner's permits, and probationary driver's licenses and amending P.L.2001, c.420.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 11 of P.L.2001, c.420 (C.39:3-13.8) is amended to read as follows:
11. a. A fine of $100 shall be imposed [for violating the following conditions] on the holder of a special learner's permit, an examination permit, or a probationary driver's license for:
[a.] (1) a violation of the supervision requirements for permit holders;
[b.] (2) the first and second violation of the passenger restrictions;
[c.] (3) a violation of the hours of operation restriction;
[d.] (4) a violation of the seat belt requirements;
[e.] (5) a violation of the hand-held or hands-free interactive wireless communication device use restrictions;
[f.] (6) any other violation of the conditions of a permit or probationary license as the chief administrator may designate; or
[g.] (7) a violation of the decal requirements.
b. In addition to the $100 fine imposed pursuant to subsection a. of this section, for the first and second violation of the passenger restrictions, the holder of a special learner's permit, an examination permit, or a probationary driver's license shall be required to satisfactorily complete a minimum six-hour defensive driving course that has been approved by the chief administrator pursuant to section 55 of P.L.1990, c.8 (C.17:33B-45).
c. (1) When notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a holder of a special learner's permit or an examination permit has committed a third violation of the passenger restrictions, the chief administrator may, in the chief administrator's discretion and without a hearing, revoke the holder's special learner's permit or examination permit, as appropriate, and prohibit the holder from obtaining a probationary driver's license until the holder is 21 years of age. If the chief administrator decides not to revoke a holder's special learner's permit or examination permit, the chief administrator shall issue a fine to the holder in the amount of $500.
(2) When notified by a court of competent jurisdiction that a holder of a probationary driver's license has committed a third violation of the passenger restrictions, the chief administrator may, in the chief administrator's discretion and without a hearing, suspend the probationary driver's license until the probationary driver's license holder is 21 years of age. If the chief administrator decides not to suspend the probationary driver's license, the chief administrator shall issue a fine to the holder in the amount of $500.
(3) A holder of a special learner's permit, examination permit, or probationary driver's license, which permit or license has been revoked or suspended, as appropriate, pursuant to this subsection, shall have the right to appeal the chief administrator's decision.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.38, s.10)
2. This act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes new penalties for a holder of an examination permit, a special learner's permit, or a probationary driver's license (collectively, "holder") who violates the passenger restrictions established under current law.
Specifically, current law prohibits a holder under the age of 21 from transporting more than one passenger, not including the holder's parents, guardians, or dependents. A holder who violates the passenger restriction is subject to a $100 fine.
Under the bill, for the first and second violation of the passenger restrictions, the holder is required to pay a $100 fine and to satisfactorily complete a minimum six-hour defensive driving course that has been approved by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (chief administrator). Upon notification of a holder's third violation of the passenger restrictions, the chief administrator may, in the chief administrator's discretion and without a hearing, revoke the holder's examination permit or special learner's permit, as applicable, and prohibit the holder from obtaining a probationary driver's license until the holder is 21 years old or, if the violator is a holder of a probationary driver's license, suspend the holder's probationary driver's license until the holder is 21 years old. If the chief administrator does not revoke or suspend the holder's permit or license, as appropriate, the chief administrator is to issue a $500 fine to the holder.
Finally, the bill allows a holder who has committed a third violation of the passenger restrictions to appeal the chief administrator's decision to revoke or suspend the holder's permit or license, as appropriate.
