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S3349 1R
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 3349
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator� SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
���� Requires driver�s manual to include information on
driver�s rights and responsibilities during police stop.�
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As reported by the Senate Transportation Committee on
June 1, 2026, with amendments.
��
An Act
concerning driver education and amending R.S.39:3-41.
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
����
1
[
1. R.S.39:3-41
is amended to read as follows:
���� 39:3-41.����� a.� At the time
of the issuance of an examination permit or a special learner's permit to
operate a motor vehicle, the chief administrator shall make available to each
applicant for the examination permit or special learner's permit a driver's
manual containing information required to be known and followed by licensed
drivers relating to licensing requirements.
���� b.��� At the time of any
required examination for renewal of a driver's license, the chief administrator
shall
,
upon request
,
make available to each applicant for renewal
a copy of the manual and any supplements thereto.
���� c.���� The driver's manual
,
and any supplements thereto
,
or any other booklet or writing prepared in
connection with examinations for drivers' licenses or for renewals of drivers'
licenses shall contain all information necessary to answer any question on an
examination for a driver's license or for a renewal of a driver's license.
���� The chief administrator shall
publish the driver's manual on the website of the commission in English and
each of the three languages, other than English, most commonly spoken in the
State, as determined by the chief administrator.� The chief administrator shall
periodically, and at least every five years, verify the three languages, other
than English, most commonly spoken in the State.
���� d.��� The chief administrator,
following consultation with the organ procurement organizations designated
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.1320b-8 to serve in the State of New Jersey, shall
include in the driver's manual information explaining the provisions of the "Revised
Uniform Anatomical Gift Act," P.L.2008, c.50 (C.26:6-77 et
[
al
]
seq
.),
the beneficial uses of donated organs and tissues, and the procedure for
indicating on the driver's license the intention to make a donation pursuant to
section 1 of P.L.1978, c.181 (C.39:3-12.2).� The chief administrator may
distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver's manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� e.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, shall
include in the driver's manual information explaining the dangers of failing to
comply with this State's motor vehicle traffic laws and indicating that
interested drivers may take the STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge set forth in
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
���� (1)�� The "STOP for
Nikhil Safety Pledge" is as follows:
���� "In order to ensure the
safety of others on the road, passengers in my car, and myself as a driver, I
pledge to obey traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle, be extra cautious,
and be attentive to traffic signs and signals and road conditions.�
Specifically:
���� I will come to a complete stop
at every "stop" sign or red traffic light, and will not proceed
through a red traffic light;
���� I will stay alert, keep two
hands on the steering wheel whenever possible, and keep my mind on the road;
���� I will talk safely by using a
hands-free wireless telephone while driving if I am of lawful age to do so and
refrain from texting while driving; and I will plan ahead and leave enough time
to arrive at my destination."
���� (2)�� The chief administrator
shall ensure that drivers have the option of taking the pledge set forth in
paragraph (1) of this subsection by filling out a standard form made available
at motor vehicle offices or by following instructions publicized by the chief
administrator directing interested drivers to the appropriate website to
complete the pledge.
���� (3)�� The chief administrator
may distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver's manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� f.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Director
of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public
Safety, shall include in the driver's manual information explaining the dangers
of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and techniques for the safe
operation and proper maintenance of a motor vehicle.� The chief administrator
may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver's manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� g.��� The chief administrator,
in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in
the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver's manual
information pertaining to the importance of operating a motor vehicle in a
manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters,
riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall
include, but not be limited to, a driver's responsibilities when approaching
and passing a pedestrian or person operating a bicycle or personal conveyance
on the roadway pursuant to P.L.2021, c.194 (C.39:4-92.4) and the penalties for
failing to comply with these responsibilities.
���� h.��� The chief administrator,
in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in
the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver's manual
information that instructs pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized-scooters,
and riders of other non-motorized vehicles on the proper safety procedures
while sharing the roadway with motorists.
����
i.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall include in the
driver�s manual information regarding the rights and responsibilities of a
driver when the driver is stopped by a law enforcement officer.� The chief
administrator may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver�s
manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to
this subsection.
(cf: P.L.2025, c.103, s.3)
]
1
����
1
1.�� R.S.39:3-41
is amended to read as follows:
���� 39:3-41.� a.� At the time of
the issuance of an examination permit or a special learner�s permit to operate
a motor vehicle, the chief administrator shall make available to each applicant
for the examination permit or special learner�s permit a driver�s manual
containing information required to be known and followed by licensed drivers
relating to licensing requirements.
���� b.��� At the time of any
required examination for renewal of a driver�s license, the chief administrator
shall
,
upon request
,
make available to each applicant for renewal
a copy of the manual and any supplements thereto.
���� c.���� The driver�s manual
,
and any supplements thereto
,
or any other booklet or writing prepared in
connection with examinations for drivers� licenses or for renewals of drivers�
licenses shall contain all information necessary to answer any question on an
examination for a driver�s license or for a renewal of a driver�s license.
���� The chief administrator shall
publish the driver�s manual on the website of the commission in English and
each of the three languages, other than English, most commonly spoken in the
State, as determined by the chief administrator.� The chief administrator shall
periodically, and at least every five years, verify the three languages, other
than English, most commonly spoken in the State.
���� d.��� The chief administrator,
following consultation with the organ procurement organizations designated
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.1320b-8 to serve in the State of New Jersey, shall
include in the driver�s manual information explaining the provisions of the �Revised
Uniform Anatomical Gift Act,� P.L.2008, c.50 (C.26:6-77 et
[
al
]
seq
.),
the beneficial uses of donated organs and tissues, and the procedure for
indicating on the driver�s license the intention to make a donation pursuant to
section 1 of P.L.1978, c.181 (C.39:3-12.2).� The chief administrator may
distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver�s manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� e.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, shall
include in the driver�s manual information explaining the dangers of failing to
comply with this State�s motor vehicle traffic laws and indicating that
interested drivers may take the STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge set forth in
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
���� (1)�� The �STOP for Nikhil
Safety Pledge� is as follows:�
���� �In order to ensure the safety
of others on the road, passengers in my car, and myself as a driver, I pledge
to obey traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle, be extra cautious, and be
attentive to traffic signs and signals and road conditions.� Specifically:�
���� I will come to a complete stop
at every �stop� sign or red traffic light and will not proceed through a red
traffic light;
���� I will stay alert, keep two
hands on the steering wheel whenever possible and keep my mind on the road;
���� I will talk safely by using a
hands-free wireless telephone while driving if I am of lawful age to do so and
refrain from texting while driving and I will plan ahead and leave enough time
to arrive at my destination.�
���� (2)�� The chief administrator
shall ensure that drivers have the option of taking the pledge set forth in
paragraph (1) of this subsection by filling out a standard form made available
at motor vehicle offices or by following instructions publicized by the chief
administrator directing interested drivers to the appropriate website to
complete the pledge.
���� (3)�� The chief administrator
may distribute all remaining copies of the existing driver�s manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� f.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Director
of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public
Safety, shall include in the driver�s manual information explaining the dangers
of carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and techniques for the safe
operation and proper maintenance of a motor vehicle.� The chief administrator
may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver�s manual before
reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to this
subsection.
���� g.��� The chief administrator,
in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in
the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver�s manual
information pertaining to the importance of operating a motor vehicle in a
manner that safely shares the roadway with pedestrians, cyclists, skaters,
riders of motorized-scooters, and other non-motorized vehicles, which shall
include, but not be limited to, a driver�s responsibilities when approaching
and passing a pedestrian or person operating a bicycle or personal conveyance
on the roadway pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2021, c.194 (C.39:4-92.4) and the
penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities.
���� h.��� The chief administrator,
in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in
the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the driver�s manual
information that instructs pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, riders of motorized
scooters, and riders of other non-motorized vehicles on the proper safety
procedures while sharing the roadway with motorists.
���� i.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Highway
Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, shall include in the
driver�s manual information that instructs motorists on the importance of
changing lanes or reducing the speed of their vehicles and being prepared to
stop when approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying flashing or
blinking lights, as required by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.5 (C.39:4-92.2).
����
j.���� The chief
administrator, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall include in the
driver�s manual information regarding the rights and responsibilities of a
driver when the driver is stopped by a law enforcement officer.� The chief
administrator may distribute all remaining copies of any existing driver�s
manual before reprinting the manual with the information required pursuant to
this subsection.
1
(cf: P.L.2025, c.248, s.3)
���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment, but the Chief
Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission may take anticipatory
administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the
implementation of the act.