New Jersey Driver's Handbook, Section 5: Defensive Driving
Following distance, distractions, fatigue, bad weather, night driving, skids, vehicle failures and what to do after a crash.
Summary written by MyPermitExam from the official handbook, 2026. Not a copy of the handbook. Checked Oct 2026. Not affiliated with the DMV. New Jersey Driver Manual
Key rules
- Use the three-seconds-plus rule: four or more in bad weather and six or more on snow. p. 95
- Distractions are visual, manual, cognitive and auditory; even a few seconds at highway speed means a football field driven blind. p. 92
- Driving while knowingly fatigued is illegal under Maggie's Law; rest every two hours on long trips. p. 92
- Tires can hydroplane from about 35 mph; slow down in heavy rain and drive on the highest part of the road. p. 97
- In a skid, ease off the gas and steer toward where the rear is sliding, without oversteering. p. 104
- After a blowout hold the wheel, ease off the gas and don't brake; if the gas pedal sticks, shift to neutral. p. 107
- Report crashes with injury, death or damage to the police; if damage exceeds $500 and no police report is filed, send the MVC a report within 10 days. p. 111