20 questions from the New Jersey driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the minimum distance a motorist must maintain from a railroad crossing when warning devices such as flashing red lights or lowered gates are active?
Answer: At least 15 feet. The handbook specifies that drivers must stop at least 15 feet away from railroad crossings when warning devices are activated.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 78: “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.”
2. What is the required action for a probationary license holder after the standard 12-month probationary period ends?
Answer: Visit an MVC Licensing Center to upgrade to a basic driver license. Drivers must physically visit an MVC Licensing Center to upgrade their license status once the probationary period concludes.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 21: “All motorists who possess a probationary driver license, whose probationary licensing period is not extended by the MVC beyond the standard 12 months, must visit an MVC Licensing Center to upgrade to a basic driver license after the end of those 12 months.”
3. According to the handbook, what is the maximum distance a vehicle should be parked from the curb?
Answer: Six inches. The handbook states that parking more than six inches from the curb is illegal.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 86: “It is illegal for a vehicle to be parked more than six inches from the curb.”
4. What penalty applies to a driver who violates the Safe Passing Law and causes bodily injury to a vulnerable road user?
Answer: A $500 fine and two motor vehicle penalty points. The handbook distinguishes penalties based on injury, stating that causing bodily injury results in a $500 fine and two points.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 153: “Drivers who do not follow the Safe Passing Law and cause bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1 shall be fined $500 and assessed two motor vehicle penalty points”
5. What is the required action for a motorist approaching a railroad crossing with flashing red lights?
Answer: Stop and yield to the train, going only when the lights stop flashing. Drivers must stop and yield to trains at crossings with flashing red lights, proceeding only after the lights stop flashing and warning devices deactivate.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 214: “Motorists must yield to the train. Go only when red lights stop flashing and when all other active warning devices deactivate.”
6. What should a motorist do if their vehicle becomes disabled on the highway?
Answer: Stay in the vehicle, keep the seatbelt on, and lock the doors. The handbook advises staying inside the locked vehicle with the seatbelt fastened, rather than exiting or accepting rides from strangers.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 73: “Stay in the vehicle, keep your seatbelt on and lock the doors.”
7. What is the minimum Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level that constitutes driving under the influence for general drivers in New Jersey?
Answer: 0.08%. The handbook defines the threshold for a DUI conviction for general drivers as a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 124: “If a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher, or a person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, they may be convicted of driving under the influence.”
8. For a first offense of reckless driving that willfully endangers the rights, property, or safety of others, what is the maximum fine amount?
Answer: $200. The handbook states that the fine for a first reckless driving offense is not less than $50 or more than $200.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 131: “Driving recklessly in a manner that willfully endangers the rights, property or safety of others is punishable by imprisonment of up to 60 days, or by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $200, or both for a first offense.”
9. When should a motorist proceed across railroad tracks after warning devices have activated?
Answer: When the gates have been raised, the bells have stopped ringing, and the red lights have stopped flashing. Drivers must wait until all warning signals cease and gates are raised before crossing the tracks.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 78: “A motorist should never cross until the gates have been raised, the bells have stopped ringing and the red lights have stopped flashing.”
10. If a motorist experiences a flat tire or blowout, what is the correct procedure for slowing down the vehicle?
Answer: Remove your foot from the gas pedal and let the vehicle coast to a stop. The handbook instructs drivers to remove their foot from the gas pedal and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop without using the brakes during a blowout.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 109: “The motorist should remove their foot from the gas pedal but not use the brakes. The vehicle should coast to a stop on its own as the motorist pulls to a safe area off the roadway.”
11. How long does it typically take to fasten a seat belt according to the handbook?
Answer: Three seconds. The handbook states that fastening a seat belt takes only three seconds.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 42: “Fastening a seat belt takes only three seconds and reduces the chances of death or injury.”
12. What is the fine range for private vehicle owners who fail to remove snow or ice from their vehicle before driving, regardless of whether any falls off?
Answer: $25 to $75. The handbook distinguishes between fines for causing damage ($200-$1,000) and the specific fine for simply failing to remove snow/ice ($25-$75).
New Jersey driver handbook, page 131: “Also, motorists who do not remove snow or ice from a vehicle before driving are subject to a fine of $25 to $75 regardless of whether any snow or ice is dislodged from the vehicle.”
13. In New Jersey, what is the minimum Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that makes it illegal for an individual younger than 21 to drive?
Answer: 0.01 percent. The handbook specifies that drivers under the age of 21 are subject to a stricter limit of 0.01 percent BAC compared to the general adult limit.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 117: “For individuals younger than 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher.”
14. What equipment is required for bicycles ridden after dark?
Answer: Front and rear lights, and a rear reflector. The handbook mandates that bicycles used after dark must be equipped with front lights, rear lights, and a rear reflector.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 153: “While bicycles ridden after dark must have front and rear lights, and a rear reflector”
15. How long do all point violations after March 1, 1974, remain on a motorist's driving record?
Answer: Indefinitely. The handbook states that point violations from this date forward stay on the record, implying they do not expire after a fixed short term like one or three years.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 139: “All point violations after March 1, 1974, will stay on a motorist’s driving record.”
16. Under what condition can a child be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger-side airbag?
Answer: Only if the airbag is disabled or turned off. The rule allows rear-facing seats in the front only if the passenger-side airbag is disabled or turned off.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 45: “However, children cannot be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system in a front seat of any motor vehicle that is equipped with a passenger-side airbag that is not disabled or turned off.”
17. What is the primary responsibility of a motorist regarding pedestrians as described in the handbook?
Answer: To bear the primary obligation to prevent vehicle-pedestrian crashes. The handbook clarifies that while safety is shared, drivers have the primary duty to prevent crashes involving pedestrians.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 146: “Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility, but drivers bear the primary obligation to prevent vehicle-pedestrian crashes.”
18. When should interim (overhead) lights inside the vehicle be used?
Answer: Only briefly when necessary or to comply with a police officer's request. The handbook limits the use of interior overhead lights to brief necessities or specific interactions with law enforcement.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 86: “Found inside the vehicle, these types of lights should be used only briefly (when necessary) when driving or to comply with a police officer’s request to illuminate the motorist’s compartment of the vehicle when stopped.”
19. When an engine dies while driving, why must the motorist keep a firm grip on the steering wheel?
Answer: Because the power steering will fail and extra hand power is needed to turn the wheel. The handbook states that steering fails when the engine dies, requiring extra hand power to maintain control, which necessitates a firm grip.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 109: “When an engine dies, a vehicle’s steering will fail. The motorist should keep a firm grip on the wheel because extra hand power will be needed to turn or keep control.”
20. Where should a motorist position their vehicle when driving on a two-lane road with oncoming traffic?
Answer: Keep to the right. The handbook specifies that on two-lane roads with oncoming traffic, drivers must stay to the right side.
New Jersey driver handbook, page 53: “On a two-lane road with traffic coming toward the vehicle, the motorist should keep to the right.”