Where not to park, headlights and phones

Key points

1. It is illegal to park more than 6 inches from the curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 83

   “It is illegal for a vehicle to be parked more than six inches from the curb.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 83

2. Never park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

3. Never park within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or sideline of a street or intersection highway, except at alleys.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

4. Never park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing or a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. • Within 50 feet of a stop sign.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

5. Never park within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet on the opposite side of the street.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and within 75 feet on the street opposite a fire station entrance.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

6. Before opening the driver door, check for traffic, bicycles and mopeds.

   Source: Handbook p. 83

   “He/she should also check for bicycles or mopeds, which are sometimes difficult to see, before opening the driver-side door and exiting the vehicle.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 83

7. For mechanical trouble, stop on the right shoulder and turn on your emergency flashers.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “In case of mechanical trouble or other emergency, a motorist should stop on the right highway shoulder and turn on emergency flashers.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

8. Use headlights from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and whenever visibility is 500 feet or less or your wipers are on.

   Source: Handbook p. 82

   “Headlights must be used between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Headlights must also be used when visibility is 500 feet or less, when using windshield wipers”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 82

9. Handheld phones are banned while driving. A first offense costs $200 to $400.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “The fine for breaking this law is $200-$400 for a first offense”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

10. GDL drivers may not use a handheld or a hands free phone at all while driving.

    Source: Handbook p. 85

    “A graduated driver license (GDL) holder may not use a handheld or handsfree cellular telephone, or any other handheld electronic device, when behind the wheel.”
    New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Jersey practice test

1. 1. What parking distance from a crosswalk at an intersection is prohibited in New Jersey, unless an alley exception applies?

   1. Within 10 feet
   2. Within 25 feet
   3. Within 40 feet
   4. Within 50 feet
   Show answer

   Within 25 feet. New Jersey bars parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or the sideline of a street or intersection highway, with the manual noting an alley exception. Ten feet is the hydrant distance, while 50 feet is associated with a railroad crossing. The protected approach area preserves a clear view between people crossing and approaching drivers. When choosing a curb space, measure from the crosswalk rather than stopping wherever the paint ends.

2. 2. Before opening the driver-side door after parking on a New Jersey street, what should the motorist check?

   1. Only the fuel gauge and parking meter
   2. The rear seat before checking outside
   3. Traffic, bicycles, and mopeds approaching the door area
   4. Whether the vehicle is more than six inches from the curb
   Show answer

   Traffic, bicycles, and mopeds approaching the door area. A parked vehicle’s door can enter the path of a cyclist, moped, or passing vehicle. New Jersey’s parking guidance tells the motorist to check traffic and those smaller road users before opening the driver-side door. The curb-distance option concerns where the vehicle is parked, not whether the door can be opened safely. Use the mirrors, look over the shoulder, and choose the curbside exit for passengers when that is safer.

3. 3. During a mechanical emergency, where should a New Jersey motorist stop?

   1. In the nearest intersection with headlights off
   2. In a marked crosswalk with hazard lights off
   3. On the left shoulder facing opposing traffic
   4. On the right highway shoulder with emergency flashers on
   Show answer

   On the right highway shoulder with emergency flashers on. For mechanical trouble or another emergency, New Jersey advises stopping on the right highway shoulder and turning on emergency flashers. The right shoulder places the disabled vehicle away from the main travel path, while the flashers alert approaching drivers. A left shoulder can expose the vehicle to opposing traffic, and an intersection or crosswalk creates a new obstruction. The practical cue is shoulder, then flashers: move as far right as conditions safely allow and make the vehicle visible before seeking help.

Source: the New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 4: Safe Driving Rules and Regulations. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.