New Jersey Committee Approves Changes to Driver’s Licenses

Parents or guardians in New Jersey might need to complete a driver orientation course before their teens could get their driver’s licenses.

A legislative committee on Thursday approved the requirement along with requiring teens to wait longer to get their licenses. Teens would have learner’s permits for at least one year and must log 50 hours of practice driving time.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety says the measure would decrease the number of road fatalities statewide by 3 percent each year.

The bill was advanced unanimously by the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee on Thursday. It can now head to the entire Assembly.

The state Senate has not yet voted on the bill.