Ridgewood Police Traffic Safety Bureau Reports Multiple Incidents Of High School Students Without a License Driving in an Unsafe Manor

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police Traffic Safety Bureau has had multiple incidents where we have made motor vehicle stops for unsafe driving and have found High School students without a license and in possession of only a permit. These students have been driving to and from school as well as driving around after school, without being accompanied by an Adult Supervising Driver, as required by law. After having conversations with the student drivers, as well as parents in the community and the school, we have found that this is considered an acceptable practice by some parents and students. We cannot stress enough how unsafe and illegal this is. We see an excessive amount of dangerous and risky driving associated with unlicensed drivers. We would like to take this opportunity to inform both the parents and the children the consequences of these actions.

Allowing your child to drive a motor vehicle, while only having permit privileges and not being accompanied by a licensed adult, means you are allowing an unlicensed driver to operate your motor vehicle. This will prevent your child from getting his or her graduated license on time as the permit could be suspended for up to six months.
If your child takes the car without your permission, your child can and will be charge criminally under the “joyriding” statues, which results in court appearances, a criminal record and could pose hefty fines.
If your child gets into a motor vehicle accident while unlicensed, your insurance company will not cover your liabilities, so the cost of any damage to vehicles, property or people would have to come out of your pocket.

If your unlicensed child injures another during a motor vehicle accident, they will be charged criminally, which could result in jail time, in addition to the criminal record and legal fees.
The Ridgewood Police Department, working hand and hand with the School Resource Officers and the Ridgewood High School, is committed to making our roads safer, but we need your help. We need young drivers to follow the rules of the road, while gaining the experience they need to become safe and responsible drivers.
If you or your child have any questions regarding your child’s driving restrictions, please contact the Ridgewood Traffic Safety Bureau at 201-251-4540.
KNOW YOUR CHILD’S RESTRICTIONS
Special learners permit driving restrictions
• No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• The driver is not permitted to use a cell phone, hand held video game or any other hand held electronic device.
• There must be an Adult Supervising Driver (who is at least 21 years of age and has been a fully licensed driver for at least 3 years) in the front passenger seat.
• Only one additional passenger (so in addition to the Adult Supervising Driver) is permitted to be in the vehicle.
• Seatbelts must be worn at all times.
Examination permit restrictions
• The driver must be at least 17-years-old and not in suspension status
• No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• The driver is not permitted to use a cell phone, hand held video game or any other hand held electronic device.
• There must be an Adult Supervising Driver (who is at least 21 years of age and has been a fully licensed driver for at least 3 years) in the front passenger seat.
• Other passengers must be from the driver’s household. Only one passenger from outside the driver’s household is permitted in the vehicle
• Seatbelts must be worn at all times
Probationary driver’s license, which requires:
• A reflectorized license plate decal must be displayed when the driver has a Probationary License.
• No driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless the driver has a written statement of why they need to be on the road for religious or work reasons.
• The driver’s only passengers are permitted to be the driver’s parents, legal guardians, or dependents.
• Parent or guardian supervision, if there is more than one (1) passenger in the vehicle.

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