Motor Vehicles

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term vehicle generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Service members and their families will want to understand their state’s laws on registration and licensing before moving to a new state. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites.

New Jersey State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a vehicle and your vehicle must be properly registered.  Even though you are in the Military, you may be required to register your vehicle in-state and obtain an in-state license within a few months of moving. Access complete information on insurance, driver’s licensing, and where and how to register your vehicle by visiting the State Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Requirements are the same as Driver's License above. NJ requires registration of all vehicles except those owned by non-residents and those registered elsewhere. The Soldiers and Sailors Act allows military members, stationed in NJ, to retain vehicle registration in another state. This does not exempt military members from the NJ state automobile insurance laws. Please be aware that it can take up to 3 hours of your time at the NJ DMV.

NJ DMV requires a copy of the original title to register a new car in NJ. In most cases, the bank holding the title will send it to NJ DMV, who then returns it to the bank.

Vehicle Inspection - required of all vehicles registered in NJ - this includes an emissions check.

MCGUIRE and DIX

Registering Vehicles on Base

It is not mandatory for personnel living or working at JB MDL to register their vehicle(s).

Base Regulations

Accidents -- On base report to Joint Base Police Desk Sergeant 609-562-6001

Criminal Offenses -- Report to Joint Base Police Desk Sergeant 609-562-6001

Crime Tip Hot Line (anonymous) 609-754-2611

Crime Stop -- 911 on/off base; also for fire/medical emergencies.

Driving Offenses -- New Jersey has strict penalties including loss of driving privileges and/or insurance surcharges in most cases for offenses such as alcohol/drug related driving convictions, driving without insurance and speeding/moving violations in construction areas.

Please make sure you are aware of the new cell phone laws both on base and in the community. Some rules apply to JB MDL that don't apply to the community as well as others applying in the community but not on base. There may even be some situations that apply to McGuire but not Dix. Check the motor vehicles commission website as well as contacting Security Forces for updated driving violation laws.

Restricted Areas - Flight line requires restricted area badge or authorization for POV.

LAKEHURST

Motorcycles -- Motorcycle operators must pass a motorcycle safety course as taught by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School. Additionally, all riders must wear a reflective vest or brightly colored clothing, DOT approved helmet with adequate eye protection, full-fingered gloves, thick-soled footwear, long pants and long sleeved shirt.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in your state at the Distraction.gov State Laws page.

Under Kyleigh’s Law, all drivers under age 21, who are subject to the requirements of New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) (which includes those drivers possessing a Special Learners Permit, Examination Permit or Probationary/Provisional License), must display a velcro reflectorized decal on each license plate (front/back) of any motor vehicle they operate.

There is currently nothing in the law providing an exemption for those military members subject to Kyleigh’s Law.

GDL Restrictions: In addition to the decal requirement, GDL drivers are also subject to the following driving restrictions:

1. May not operate a motor vehicle after 11:01 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.

2. The following restrictions apply to GDL program drivers:

Special Permit Holders (only held by drivers under 17): REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES: Supervising driver who is over 21 and licensed (in New Jersey) to drive for at least three (3) years; MAY HAVE as passengers: parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s). MAY HAVE: Only one additional passenger (not listed above), unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Examination Permit Holders (cannot drive alone for either three or six months, depending on whether older than 21 years). REQUIRED (for three or six months, depending on whether over 21 years): Supervising New Jersey licensed driver, who is over 21 and licensed in New Jersey to drive for at least three years. If the Examination Permit holder is under 21: they must be accompanied by the supervising driver for six months, and until they pass a road test. If the Examination Permit holder is over 21: they must be accompanied by the supervising driver for three months, and until they pass the road test. THEY MAY HAVE as passengers: Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s). MAY HAVE: One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Probationary/Provisional License Holder (driving permitted w/o supervising driver, with limitations on passengers). THEY MAY HAVE as passengers: Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s). If under 21, only one additional passenger, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

It is not likely that a Military Member would possess a Special Permit since they are only given to people under 17. If a Military Member moves to New Jersey from another state, and does not have a license, they would get an Examination Permit. Initially, (for three or six months) these permits do not allow holders to drive without a supervising driver, who is a New Jersey license holder, and has held his license for three years. After this initial three or six month period, the Examination Permit holder can drive by themselves.

Current Exemptions: Currently, there is no specific exemption written into the GDL law for Military Members. There is, however, an exemption for work related driving during the prohibited hours. This requires the driver subject to the law to carry a letter from their employer, on official letterhead, that is signed by the employer. This exemption does not, however, allow the Examination Permit holder to drive by himself for the initial six or three months, depending on if they are 21. Additionally, this exemption does not waive any of the restrictions pertaining to the passenger limits.

Per an attorney at the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety; “apart from the decal provision, and some tightening of the allowable passengers, the GDL has existed in New Jersey since 2001. Apart from the issues associated with the decals, younger Military Members in this area have been subject to this graduated program for nine years. Above all the issues associated with Kyleigh’s Law, the decal requirement could be the one with the most impact because there is no exemption for GDL drivers using the decals.”

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under 7 years of age and 80 pounds be properly restrained in child seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat. Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle, you must comply with those laws. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information. Many States and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. Research these laws on the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. Tickets will be issued and fines assessed for violating these laws. Play it safe and always use a “hands free” device if you must use a cell phone or other PDA while driving. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Individuals who reside within NJ are required to maintain the minimum coverages required by state law. Such coverage is evidenced by the New Jersey requirement that a current Automobile "Proof of Insurance Card" be kept in each licensed motor vehicle. This applies to all individuals, including military personnel and their dependents, whose automobile is "principally garaged" within the state. A military member's legal state of residence or domicile, under the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, does not exempt the member from the insurance laws of New Jersey. Do not assume your insurance company will be willing or able to insure your automobile in NJ. Determine if your company will be able to write a policy in NJ. The "NJ Insurance Buyer's Guide" is available from insurance companies who insure drivers in New Jersey.

Military members with a current out-of-state license do not need a NJ license. Family members working in NJ are required to have a New Jersey license. Family members registering a vehicle in NJ must have a NJ driver's license. For additional information; the New Jersey DMV has an excellent web site; including the New Jersey Driver's Manual.

Driving Age - You must be 18 years of age to operate a motor vehicle in NJ. Please check with the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles for minimum age-required to obtain a learner's permit, and, for under age 18 military family members who have a valid driver's license from another state, and are driving an auto registered out-of-state.

Most high schools in the local area offer classroom-only driver's education. Behind-the-wheel classes are available through local adult and community college education program; prices may vary, call to check costs.

If you are returning from overseas and your stateside license has expired, you must bring your original birth certificate, or a certified copy. If you are unable to obtain either, call the DMV and ask for other acceptable forms of identification; a passport is considered acceptable, for example; or pick up a copy of the New Jersey Driver Manual at the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center or access the Manual online. Military retiree and family member ID's ("dependent") are not considered adequate ID when applying for a NJ driver's license.