Vehicle Code

Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket and not known what the violation numbers listed on the citation meant? Or are you thinking of contesting a ticket in court? Or would you just like clarification on exactly who has the right of way at a four-way stop sign? The place to look for such information is the vehicle code.

All states have a vehicle code―the laws that govern motorists, vehicles, and rules of the road. New Jersey's vehicle code is spelled out in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes.

To see the contents of Title 39, click on the plus sign to the left of it in the menu. This opens up a submenu with a list of all the topics covered under Title 39: Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulation. The first list you see is only the beginning―the red arrow at the bottom right of the page will take you to nearly 20 more pages listing the contents of the vehicle code.

As you can see, the range of subjects within New Jersey's vehicle code is staggering. Fortunately, the New Jersey Statutes offers a search function at the bottom of the page to help you narrow your focus.

Title 39 contains legislation regarding driver's licenses, special license plates, registration fees, driving and vision tests, titles, inspections, required equipment on vehicles, dealer licenses, commercial drivers, and much more. There are even rules for horses, pedestrians, and roller skaters. To give you an idea of what you'll find in the New Jersey vehicle code, we've listed a sampling of topics:

• Words and Phrases Defined

• Licensing of Drivers; Classifications

• Registration Fee for Passenger Automobile; Other Vehicles

• Driving While Intoxicated

• Revocation for Refusal to Submit to Breath Test; Penalties

• Racing on Highway Prohibited; Fine

• Right of Way at Intersections

• Reckless Driving; Punishment

• Careless Driving

• Use of Hands-Free Wireless Telephone in Moving Vehicle

• Rates of Speed

• Speeding 20 mph or More Over Limit; Fines

• Parking; Direction and Side of Street; Angle Parking; One-Way Street

• Compulsory Automobile Insurance Coverage; Limits

• Certificate of Ownership; Fees

• Dealer's License; Eligibility; Term; Fee