SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 16

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 9, 2008

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports without recommendation Senate Bill No. 16 with committee amendments.

      This amended bill revises the restrictions on those drivers who hold special learner’s permits, examination permits, and provisional driver’s licenses.  The amended bill also changes the name of a “provisional” driver’s license to a “probationary” driver’s license.

      Under this State’s graduated driver licensing system for new drivers, persons who are 16 years old can obtain a special learner’s permit for the purpose of supervised practice driving if they have completed an approved six-hour behind-the-wheel driving course.  A person who is 17 years of age or older can obtain an examination permit for this same purpose, but is not required to take the behind-the-wheel course.  Drivers who have completed the requirements of a special learner’s permit or an examination permit are issued a provisional license. Provisional driver’s licensees (now “probationary licensees”) practice unsupervised driving to prepare for a basic driver’s license.  Holders of these special learner’s permits, examination permits, and probationary licenses are subject to certain passenger, hourly, and other restrictions.  The amended bill revises the hourly and passenger restrictions.

      The provisions of this bill implement certain recommendations of the Teen Driver Study Commission made in the commission’s March 2008 Final Report.

      The committee adopted amendments under which permit holders and probationary license holders who are under 21 years old would be permitted to transport only one passenger besides any dependents.  The amendments also provide that this one-passenger restriction would not apply if the licensee is accompanied by a parent or guardian.  As introduced, the bill restricted only probationary driver’s licensees under 21 years old to one passenger regardless of whether the passenger lives with the driver.  These passenger restrictions do not apply to permit or probationary driver’s license holders who are at least 21 years old under current law, which the amended bill does not change. 

      The restrictions on overnight driving hours also would be extended under the bill to between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for holders of examination permits and probationary licenses.  Under current law, these drivers are restricted from operating their motor vehicles between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.  This is consistent with the current 11:01 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. restriction that currently applies to holders of a special learner’s permit. 

      The committee also amended the bill to require the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety to develop and undertake a public education campaign to inform the public of the bill’s provisions. 

      Finally, the committee made clarifying and technical amendments to the bill.  One clarifies that permit and probationary license holders are not permitted to operate any interactive wireless communication device, whether it is hand-held or hands-free.  Another change references to “drivers’ schools” to “driving schools.”