This bill requires retail used car dealers in New Jersey to check for open safety recalls on vehicles before selling them to consumers. Dealers must verify recall status using the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database and inform buyers if any unresolved recalls exist. If the NHTSA database shows no recalls after a dealer checks it, the law presumes the dealer had no knowledge of existing recalls - though this doesn’t absolve dealers of responsibility for NHTSA database errors. The rule applies only to retail sales (not wholesale or junkyard transactions) and aims to ensure buyers are aware of potential safety issues before purchasing a used vehicle.
This bill (S 101) increases penalties for commercial vehicle operators who fail to display required owner/business information. Currently, violations carry a $10 fine; this bill raises fines to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses. The law applies to commercial vehicles (excluding passenger cars and pharmacy delivery vehicles) that must display their owner’s name, business location, and municipality in plain view. Fines collected will fund state road repairs, as specified in the amended statute. The bill amends New Jersey’s vehicle marking requirements under R.S.39:4-47.
This bill (S 2780) appropriates $45 million from New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission for disaster recovery construction projects. The Commission must repay the full $45 million to the state Treasury regardless of whether it receives federal funding for these projects, as required by a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, because the funding was already approved under another bill (P.L.2025, c.318). It does not change existing laws but provides supplemental funding for specific park infrastructure recovery work.
This bill (S 1931) increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated. It elevates the offense to a first-degree crime if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle near schools or school zones, including: within 1,000 feet of school property, through designated school crossings, near school crossings with juveniles present (even if unmarked), or in highway construction zones. Convictions under these circumstances require a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence or three years (whichever is greater), with no parole eligibility during that period, plus a license suspension of 5 years to life. The law applies directly to drivers convicted of causing death while driving intoxicated in these specific locations.
S 1390 requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to create a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The campaign must explain current state laws, including rules for cyclists keeping to the right side of roads (C.39:4-14.2) and rules for motorists safely passing pedestrians or cyclists (C.39:4-92.4), along with the penalties for breaking these rules. It directly affects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by providing clear information about existing safety regulations. The bill mandates this campaign without changing any current laws, focusing on education rather than new restrictions.
This bill (S 2437) requires New Jersey to create roadside signs and a state website to help visitors find tourism attractions, historic sites, and historic districts. The Department of Transportation must update rules for the Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) program to include these locations, with eligibility criteria like being within 15 miles of a highway, open to the public 6 hours daily for 20 weeks yearly, and providing cultural/historical value. The state website must feature searchable maps, driving/public transit directions, photos, tour information, and contact details for all listed sites. These changes aim to improve visitor access and promote New Jersey’s tourism and historic resources through standardized signage and digital tools.
S 778 authorizes New Jersey school districts to administer specific motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers, including knowledge tests, license manuals, identification verification, fee processing, and endorsement applications. It does not permit schools to conduct road tests, which must still be handled by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The bill requires the MVC to develop rules and coordinate with school districts to implement this program, streamlining access to licensing for school bus drivers. This change directly affects school districts, prospective school bus drivers, and the MVC's administrative process.
This bill (S 1737) allows farmers to register utility task vehicles - defined as four-wheel off-road vehicles with seating for the operator and passengers - for use on New Jersey public roadways. It requires a $5 annual registration fee for these vehicles, which must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem and comply with safety rules (e.g., no operation between sunset and sunrise without proper lighting). The bill directly affects farmers who use such vehicles for farm operations, expanding current registration rules that previously applied only to tractors and farm machinery. Key provisions include safety equipment requirements, restrictions on nighttime travel, and exemptions for snow removal under municipal contracts.
This bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to secure children in car seats or booster seats. For a first offense, fines rise from $50-$75 to $100, with courts waiving the fine if the driver shows they own a car seat. Second or subsequent offenses carry fines of $250-$500. It also creates a fund where $25 from each fine will be used to buy car seats for distribution programs through New Jersey's Highway Traffic Safety Division.
This bill (S 2755) transfers responsibility for operating, maintaining, and improving the Palisades Interstate Parkway within New Jersey from the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT). It applies specifically to the parkway’s portions located in New Jersey, not the entire route. The DOT would assume these duties, though the Commission could still perform work under a written contract with the DOT, which would cover all costs through payments to the Commission. Currently, the Commission handles all operations and maintenance, making this a significant shift in agency responsibility.
