YOUNG drivers have just days to go before a new law comes into effect forcing them to spend more time practicing behind the wheel.

Starting in February 2025, youngsters in New Jersey that want to get their driver’s licenses will need to log 50 hours of mandated driving practice hours.

GettyYoung drivers have just days before a new law comes into force which means they’ll need to spend more hours practicing[/caption]

GettyPermit holders under the age of 21 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving[/caption]

Getty10 of those hours must be spent driving at night[/caption]

The new law, which was signed off by Governor Phil Murphy in January, mandates that permit holders under the age of 21 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving to qualify for a provisional license.

What’s more, 10 of those hours must be spent driving at night.

It also states that a parent, guardian, or anyone supervising the driving, must certify these 50 hours.

Currently, New Jersey is joined by Mississippi and Arkansas as the only states that don’t require permit holders to complete supervised behind-the-wheel training before taking their test.

According to a report by the Montclair Local, students from West Orange High School played a pivotal role in the ruling.

16 members of the Youth Advisory Board of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, based at West Orange High School, helped advocate for legislative changes and other road safety initiatives.

The foundation was established by Sangeeta Badlani in memory of her 11-year-old son Nikhil, who was tragically killed by a driver running a stop sign in June 2011.

Among them were Tatiana Garcia and Krish Patel, who both testified before the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee in Trenton in November 2023 to support the new legislation.

Garcia, 17, who was motivated by the loss of a friend in a crash a few years ago, said: “I think the scary part was testifying and getting the words out, but I’m excited I was part of this change.”

Patel added: “If you want to improve in sports, you have to keep practicing.

“In school, if you want to improve, you have to study, study and study.

“That constant repetition will show improvement.

“Improvement in driving is also going to decrease the crashes happening with teens and increase road safety”

However, the mandated driving practice hours are merely based on a system of trust, with the law relying on drivers to self-report their 50 hours of practice.

Of course, this in turn allows individuals to falsify their practice hours.

“The only thing you’re doing is cheating yourself using that small loophole,” Patel said.

“The importance of practicing driving is far more crucial. When I train for baseball, I’m training to improve myself and my game.

“While I train and play, I do not put anyone else’s life at risk if I’m not practicing enough.

“However, when it comes to driving, there’s not only the driver and passenger’s life at stake but also the lives of pedestrians and other drivers on the roads.”

The sweeping changes have struck a chord with safety advocates across the state, who campaigned for the law for several years.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety said: “We strongly supported this safety upgrade together with the Partners for Practice Hours Coalition.

“Advocates have long recommended a supervised driving requirement as a critical component of a graduated driver licensing program.

“While New Jersey had a fairly robust GDL program, there was a very obvious safety gap.”

https://www.the-sun.com/motors/13361408/new-jersey-driving-law-practice-road/