Do You Have or Soon to Have a Young Driver in Your Home in New Jersey or Pennsylvania – Things that you and they MUST know

Our Criminal Defense law firm represents persons charged with crime in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  While our practices focuses on crimes and offenses involving the illegal possession of guns, firearms, narcotics as well as drunk driving (DUI/DWI), we frequently advise clients on traffic related offenses.  It is our sincere hope that you will never need our services. 

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16- to 24-year-olds.  Sadly, key contributors to crashes involving teen drivers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey include driver inexperience, driver distractions, driving too fast for conditions and improper or careless turning.

Here are some points that every parent and young driver should know about driving privileges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s and New Jersey’s Young Driver Law

• Night time driving restriction begins at 11 p.m.: In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a young driver cannot be behind the wheel between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Young drivers can travel for employment and for volunteer or charitable service during these hours, but they must carry proper documentation.
• Passenger limitation: In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, young drivers can have only one non-family member under 18 with them in the vehicle. After six months on the junior license, the restriction rises to no more than three passengers under 18.  Immediate family members are excluded from the restriction. The restriction also does not apply if a parent or legal guardian are in the vehicle with the young driver
• Mandatory Suspension for high-risk drivers under age 18: In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a young driver’s license (junior license) will be suspended for 90 days if he or she accumulates six or more points or is convicted of a single high-speed violation (driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit).

Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance Law for Alcohol While Driving as Minor (under 21)

Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance Law carries serious consequences for those under 21 who are convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol in their blood following a chemical test (blood or breathalyzer test.)  Those under 21 who are convicted of driving under the influence with a .02 blood alcohol content, or greater, face severe penalties, including a 12- to 18-month license suspension, 48 hours to six months in jail, and fines from $500 to $5,000.

If a person does not have a driver’s license, he or she will be ineligible to apply for a learner’s permit for the time period of the suspension. If a person are under 16 years of age, the suspension will not begin until the 16th birthday.  In addition to serving a suspension, a restoration fee must be paid before a driver’s license will be returned.

Penalties for a DWI Under 21 in New Jersey

The penalties for a DWI under 21 depend on the nature of the crime and a person’s prior convictions. But generally, of a chemical test determines that a person under the age of 21 has a BAC of 0.01%, they can expect to face the following penalties:

• The loss of their license for 30 to 90 days
• A costly fine of $500
• 15 to 30 days of community service
• Participation in an alcohol and traffic safety education program

It’s important to note that when an underage driver has a BAC level over the regular limit of 0.08%, other serious penalties will be attached to your offense. If an underage driver’s BAC is over the limit of 0.15%, the driver may have to install an ignition interlock device on his or her vehicle until driving privileges are reinstated.

Parents or Adults who knowingly provide alcohol to minors

Adults, even parents, who are convicted of knowingly and intentionally supplying minors with alcohol are subject to a fine of at least $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for each additional offense and face up to one year in jail. Adults are even liable for guests who drink in their homes.

Driving without a license in Pennsylvania – Minors

Driving without a license in Pennsylvania is a serious traffic violation, and minors are at a higher risk of license suspension than adults. Penalties for driving without a license in Pennsylvania include: 

• License suspension

For a first offense, a 90-day suspension, and for subsequent offenses, a 1-year or 2-year suspension. The suspension begins on the driver’s 16th birthday. 

• Fines

A fine of up to $200, plus court costs. If the driver’s license was recently lost or stolen, or if the driver can produce evidence of their license, they may only face a $25 fine. 

• Other penalties

Imprisonment for 60 to 90 days, or a third- or first-degree misdemeanor charge. A third-degree misdemeanor carries a fine of $2,500 and at least six months in prison, while a first-degree misdemeanor carries a fine of $5,000 and at least two years in prison. 

Driving without a license in New Jersey – Minors

The penalty for driving without a license in New Jersey (no prior license in any jurisdiction) is a fine of at least $200 and up to 60 days in the county jail. It also makes you ineligible to receive a license for at least 180 days.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Pennsylvania & New Jersey

Please click here to contact our  criminal defense lawyers. We offer free case reviews and serve the following areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,  Atlantic City, Camden, Cherry Hill, Chester, Conshohocken, Doylestown, Media, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pottstown, Salem, Upper Darby, Upper Merion, Upper Providence, Vineland & Woodbury areas.