NJ Driver Permit Law Passes – With Help From West Orange Teens

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A state law involving permits for young New Jersey drivers has crossed the finish line with help from some high school students in West Orange.

As part of a flurry of bill signings made earlier this month, Gov. Phil Murphy approved S-2789/A-3793.

Here’s what the law will do, according to the New Jersey Legislature:

“This bill requires holders of examination permits and special learner’s permits under the age of 21 to complete at least 50 hours of practice driving, at least 10 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 is to suspend the driving privileges of any permit holder who submits a fraudulent certification. The bill also requires a sample practice driving log to be included in informational brochures distributed to parents and guardians of beginning drivers under the age of 18.”

The implementation of the law is set to commence in February 2025, with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission overseeing its enforcement.

Several members of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation Youth Advisory Board at West Orange High School recently took a trip to Trenton to push for the state law, appearing before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to argue their case.

“We will be saving lives,” a junior at the high school told legislators at the hearing.

“I personally was reluctant to put myself behind the wheel,” he continued, adding that it’s an energetic feeling to see your friends driving as a teen.

“However, the part you don’t realize at that moment is the possible dangers that come along with it,” he said. “One of these dangers is the lack of preparation they’ve had on the road.”

• See Related: West Orange Teens Push Lawmakers For Driver's Permit Changes

According to the foundation, the law signed last week was a historic moment for traffic safety in the Garden State. Before the enactment of the law, New Jersey was one of the three states, besides Arkansas and Mississippi, that did not have any practice hours requirement.

The new evening driving requirement is especially noteworthy, the foundation said, citing federal data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: in 2021, more than 60 percent of traffic fatalities for drivers 16 to 20-years-old in New Jersey occurred at night.

Bryce Mengden, the current president of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation Youth Advisory Board, said that the West Orange high school student activists found it “relieving” to see their hard work pay off.

“With so many yearly crashes and fatalities involving young drivers, it is exciting to have a new standard for safety,” Mengden said. “The roads will be safer as a result of this new legislation.”

The teens got a round of applause for “relentlessly pursuing safer roads” from West Orange School Superintendent Hayden Moore.

“Their efforts in reducing risks and enhancing driving safety through this bill are a testament to their advocacy skills and to their commitment to our community,” Moore said.

The students’ principal, Oscar Guerrero, agreed with Moore. He also gave the foundation a shout-out for helping to push the new law over the finish line.

“Our students' relentless advocacy for safer driving practices has resulted in a tangible and impactful change,” Guerrero said. “The new provisions in the law, particularly the emphasis on practice hours and risk reduction, reflect the dedication and foresight of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation Youth Advisory Board.”

Sangeeta Badlani, the group’s founder, said its members are proud of the youth advisory board’s “unwavering perseverance,” which has been taking place since 2020.

“The enactment of this legislation is a testament to the collaborative spirit among legislators, traffic safety organizations and community advocates,” Badlani said.

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