New Jersey § 39:1-1

§ 39:1-1.

As used in this subtitle, unless other meaning is clearly apparent from the language

or context, or unless inconsistent with the manifest intention of the Legislature: “ Alley ” means a public highway wherein the roadway does not exceed 12 feet in width. “ Authorized emergency vehicles ” means vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles and such ambulances and other

vehicles as are approved by the chief administrator when operated in response to an

emergency call. “ Autocycle ” means a three-wheeled motorcycle designed to be controlled with a steering wheel

and pedals in which the operator and passenger may ride in a completely or partially

enclosed seating area that is equipped with a roll cage or roll hoops, safety seat

belts for each occupant, and anti-lock brakes. “ Automobile ” includes all motor vehicles except motorcycles. “ Berm ” means that portion of the highway exclusive of roadway and shoulder, bordering the

shoulder but not to be used for vehicular travel. “ Business district ” means that portion of a highway and the territory contiguous thereto, where within

any 600 feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial

purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, office buildings, railroad stations,

and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300

feet collectively on both sides of the roadway. “ Car pool ” means two or more persons commuting on a daily basis to and from work by means of

a vehicle with a seating capacity of nine passengers or less. “ Chief Administrator ” or “ Administrator ” means the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. “ Commercial motor vehicle ” includes every type of motor-driven vehicle used for commercial purposes on the

highways, such as the transportation of goods, wares and merchandise, excepting such

vehicles as are run only upon rails or tracks and vehicles of the passenger car type

used for touring purposes or the carrying of farm products and milk, as the case may

be. “ Commission ” means the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission established by section 4 of P.L.2003, c. 13 ( C.39:2A-4 ). “ Commissioner ” means the Commissioner of Transportation of this State. “ Commuter van ” means a motor vehicle having a seating capacity of not less than seven nor more

than 15 adult passengers, in which seven or more persons commute on a daily basis

to and from work and which vehicle may also be operated by the driver or other designated

persons for their personal use. “ Crosswalk ” means that part of a highway at an intersection, either marked or unmarked existing

at each approach of every roadway intersection, included within the connections of

the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from

the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the shoulder, or, if none,

from the edges of the roadway; also, any portion of a highway at an intersection

or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other marking

on the surface. “ Curb extension ” or “ bulbout ” means a horizontal extension of the sidewalk into the street which results in a

narrower roadway section. “ Dealer ” includes every person actively engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging

motor vehicles or motorcycles and who has an established place of business. “ Deputy Chief Administrator ” means the deputy chief administrator of the commission. “ Driver ” means the rider or driver of a horse, bicycle or motorcycle or the driver or operator

of a motor vehicle, unless otherwise specified. “ Explosives ” means any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended

for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustive

units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition

by fire, friction, by concussion, by percussion, or by detonator of any part of the

compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that

the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous

objects or of destroying life or limb. “ Farm tractor ” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing

plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry. “ Flammable liquid ” means any liquid having a flash point below 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and a vapor

pressure not exceeding 40 pounds. “ Gross weight ” means the combined weight of a vehicle and a load thereon. “ High occupancy vehicle ” or “ HOV ” means a vehicle which is used to transport two or more persons and shall include

public transportation, car pool, van pool, and other vehicles as determined by regulation

of the Department of Transportation. “ Highway ” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained

when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. “ Horse ” includes mules and all other domestic animals used as draught animals or beasts

of burden. “ Inside lane ” means the lane nearest the center line of the roadway. “ Intersection ” means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if

none, the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways which join one another at

an angle, whether or not one such highway crosses another. “ Laned roadway ” means a roadway which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular

traffic. “ Leased limousine ” means any limousine subject to regulation in the State which: a. Is offered for rental or lease, without a driver, to be operated by a limousine

service as the lessee, for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire; and b. Is leased or rented for a period of one year or more following registration. “ Leased motor vehicle ” means any motor vehicle subject to registration in this State which: a. Is offered for rental or lease, without a driver, to be operated by the lessee,

his agent or servant, for purposes other than the transportation of passengers for

hire; and b. Is leased or rented for a period of one year or more following registration. “ Limited-access highway ” means every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants

of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same

except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority

having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway; and includes any highway

designated as a “freeway” or “parkway” by authority of law. “ Local authorities ” means every county, municipal and other local board or body having authority to

adopt local police regulations under the Constitution and laws of this State, including

every county governing body with relation to county roads. “ Low-speed electric bicycle ” means a two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric

motor of less than 750 watts, that meets the requirements of one of the following

classifications: “ class 1 low-speed electric bicycle ” which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance

only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle

reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; or “ class 2 low-speed electric bicycle ” which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used

exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance

when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. “ Low-speed electric scooter ” means a scooter with a floorboard that can be stood upon by the operator, with handlebars,

and an electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human

propulsion at a maximum speed of less than 19 miles per hour. “ Low-speed vehicle ” means a four-wheeled low-speed vehicle, as defined in 49 C.F.R. s.571.3(b) , whose attainable speed is more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles

per hour on a paved level surface and which is not powered by gasoline or diesel fuel

and complies with federal safety standards as set forth in 49 C.F.R. s.571.500 . “ Magistrate ” means any municipal court and the Superior Court, and any officer having the powers

of a committing magistrate and the chief administrator. “ Manufacturer ” means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing or assembling motor vehicles,

who will, under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture or assemble

at least 10 new motor vehicles. “ Metal tire ” means every tire the surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or partly

of metal or other hard nonresilient material. “ Mid-block crosswalk ” means a crosswalk located away from an intersection, distinctly indicated by lines

or markings on the surface. “ Motorized bicycle ” means a pedal bicycle having a helper motor characterized in that either the maximum

piston displacement is less than 50 cc. or said motor is rated at no more than 1.5

brake horsepower or is powered by an electric drive motor and said bicycle is capable

of a maximum speed of no more than 25 miles per hour on a flat surface or a pedal

bicycle having an electric motor that is capable of propelling the bicycle in excess

of 20 miles per hour with a maximum motor-powered speed of no more than 28 miles per

hour on a flat surface. This term shall not include a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter

as defined in this section. “ Motorcycle ” includes motorcycles, autocycles, motor bikes, bicycles with motor attached and

all motor-operated vehicles of the bicycle or tricycle type, except motorized bicycles,

low-speed electric bicycles, and low-speed electric scooters as defined in this section,

whether the motive power be a part thereof or attached thereto and having a saddle

or seat with driver sitting astride or upon it or a platform on which the driver stands. “ Motor-drawn vehicle ” includes trailers, semitrailers, or any other type of vehicle drawn by a motor-driven

vehicle. “ Motor vehicle ” includes all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power, excepting such

vehicles as run only upon rails or tracks, low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed

electric scooters, and motorized bicycles. “ Motorized scooter ” means a miniature motor vehicle and includes, but is not limited to, pocket bikes,

super pocket bikes, scooters, mini-scooters, sport scooters, mini choppers, mini motorcycles,

motorized skateboards and other vehicles with motors not manufactured in compliance

with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and which have no permanent Federal Safety

Certification stickers affixed to the vehicle by the original manufacturer. This term shall not include: electric personal assistive mobility devices, motorized

bicycles, low-speed vehicles, low-speed electric bicycles, or low-speed electric scooters;

or motorized wheelchairs, mobility scooters or similar mobility assisting devices

used by persons with physical disabilities, or persons whose ambulatory mobility has

been impaired by age or illness. “ Motorized skateboard ” means a skateboard that is propelled otherwise than by muscular power. “ Motorized wheelchair ” means any motor-driven wheelchair utilized to increase the independent mobility,

in the activities of daily living, of an individual who has limited or no ambulation

abilities, and includes mobility scooters manufactured specifically for such purposes

and designed primarily for indoor use. “ Noncommercial truck ” means every motor vehicle designed primarily for transportation of property, and

which is not a “commercial vehicle.” “ Official traffic control devices ” means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this subtitle

placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for

the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic. “ Omnibus ” includes all motor vehicles used for the transportation of passengers for hire,

except commuter vans and vehicles used in ridesharing arrangements and school buses,

if the same are not otherwise used in the transportation of passengers for hire. “ Operator ” means a person who is in actual physical control of a vehicle or street car. “ Outside lane ” means the lane nearest the curb or outer edge of the roadway. “ Owner ” means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or if a vehicle is the subject

of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase

upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right

of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle

is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee, lessee or mortgagor shall

be deemed the owner for the purpose of this subtitle. “ Parking ” means the standing or waiting on a street, road or highway of a vehicle not actually

engaged in receiving or discharging passengers or merchandise, unless in obedience

to traffic regulations or traffic signs or signals. “ Passenger automobile ” means all automobiles used and designed for the transportation of passengers, other

than omnibuses and school buses. “ Pedestrian ” means a person afoot. “ Pedicab ” means a wheeled device that: (1) contains three or more wheels; (2) is designed

to transport passengers and be propelled by muscular power using pedals; (3) is designed

to accommodate no more than 15 passengers in addition to the driver; (4) is operated

for hire; and (5) if equipped with a motor, is equipped with an electric motor that

meets the classifications of a class 1 or class 2 low-speed electric bicycle. A pedicab shall not be considered a motor vehicle or a motorcycle. “ Person ” includes natural persons, firms, copartnerships, associations, and corporations. “ Pneumatic tire ” means every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load. “ Pole trailer ” means every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle

and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed

or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long

or irregularly shaped loads, such as poles, pipes, or structural members capable,

generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections. “ Private road or driveway ” means every road or driveway not open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular

travel. “ Railroad train ” means a steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto,

operated upon rails, except street cars. “ REAL ID basic driver's license ” means a basic driver's license issued by the commission that complies with the provisions

of the “REAL ID Act of 2005,” Pub.L.109-13 , any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted

thereunder. “ REAL ID identification card ” means an identification card issued by the commission that complies with the provisions

of the “REAL ID Act of 2005,” Pub.L.109-13 , any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted

thereunder. “ REAL ID license ” means any license to operate a motor vehicle issued by the commission that complies

with the provisions of the “REAL ID Act of 2005,” Pub.L.109-13 , any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted

thereunder. “ REAL ID motorcycle license ” means a motorcycle license issued by the commission that complies with the provisions

of the “REAL ID Act of 2005,” Pub.L.109-13 , any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted

thereunder. “ REAL ID probationary license ” means a probationary license issued by the commission that complies with the provisions

of the “REAL ID Act of 2005,” P.L.109-13 , any acts amendatory or supplementary thereto, and any federal regulations adopted

thereunder. “ Recreation vehicle ” means a self-propelled or towed vehicle equipped to serve as temporary living quarters

for recreational, camping or travel purposes and used solely as a family or personal

conveyance. “ Residence district ” means that portion of a highway and the territory contiguous thereto, not comprising

a business district, where within any 600 feet along such highway there are buildings

in use for business or residential purposes which occupy 300 feet or more of frontage

on at least one side of the highway. “ Ridesharing ” means the transportation of persons in a motor vehicle, with a maximum carrying

capacity of not more than 15 passengers, including the driver, where such transportation

is incidental to the purpose of the driver. The term shall include such ridesharing arrangements known as car pools and van

pools. “ Right-of-way ” means the privilege of the immediate use of the highway. “ Road tractor ” means every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles and not so

constructed as to carry any load thereon either independently or any part of the weight

of a vehicle or load so drawn. “ Roadway ” means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular

travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term “roadway”

as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways,

collectively. “ Safety zone ” means the area or space officially set aside within a highway for the exclusive

use of pedestrians, which is so plainly marked or indicated by proper signs as to

be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone. “ School bus ” means every motor vehicle operated by, or under contract with, a public or governmental

agency, or religious or other charitable organization or corporation, or privately

operated for the transportation of children to or from school for secular or religious

education, which complies with the regulations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

affecting school buses, including “School Vehicle Type I” and “School Vehicle Type

II” as defined below: “ School Vehicle Type I ” means any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver,

used to transport enrolled children, and adults only when serving as chaperones, to

or from a school, school connected activity, day camp, summer day camp, summer residence

camp, nursery school, child care center, preschool center or other similar places

of education. Such vehicle shall comply with the regulations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

and either the Department of Education or the Department of Human Services, whichever

is the appropriate supervising agency. “ School Vehicle Type II ” means any vehicle designed to transport less than 16 passengers, including the driver,

used to transport enrolled children, and adults only when serving as chaperones, to

or from a school, school connected activity, day camp, summer day camp, summer residence

camp, nursery school, child care center, preschool center or other similar places

of education. Such vehicle shall comply with the regulations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

and either the Department of Education or the Department of Human Services, whichever

is the appropriate supervising agency. “ School zone ” means that portion of a highway which is either contiguous to territory occupied

by a school building or is where school crossings are established in the vicinity

of a school, upon which are maintained appropriate “school signs” in accordance with

specifications adopted by the chief administrator and in accordance with law. “ School crossing ” means that portion of a highway where school children are required to cross the

highway in the vicinity of a school. “ Semitrailer ” means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed

for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed

that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another

vehicle. “ Shipper ” means any person who shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, any commodity, produce

or article for transportation as the contents or load of a commercial motor vehicle. In the case of a sealed ocean container, “shipper” shall not be construed to include

any person whose activities with respect to the shipment are limited to the solicitation

or negotiation of the sale, resale, or exchange of the commodity, produce or article

within that container. “ Shoulder ” means that portion of the highway, exclusive of and bordering the roadway, designed

for emergency use but not ordinarily to be used for vehicular travel. “ Sidewalk ” means that portion of a highway intended for the use of pedestrians, between the

curb line or the lateral line of a shoulder, or if none, the lateral line of the roadway

and the adjacent right-of-way line. “ Sign .” See “Official traffic control devices.” “ Slow-moving vehicle ” means a vehicle run at a speed less than the maximum speed then and there permissible. “ Solid tire ” means every tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not depend upon

compressed air for the support of the load. “ Standard ” means, when used to describe any license to operate a motor vehicle or any identification

card issued by the commission under the provisions of this Title, that the issuance

of the license or identification card does not require proof of lawful presence in

the United States. “ Street ” means the same as highway. “ Street car ” means a car other than a railroad train, for transporting persons or property and

operated upon rails principally within a municipality. “ Stop ,” when required, means complete cessation from movement. “ Stopping or standing ,” when prohibited, means any cessation of movement of a vehicle, whether occupied

or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance

with the directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal. “ Suburban business or residential district ” means that portion of highway and the territory contiguous thereto, where within

any 1,320 feet along that highway there is land in use for business or residential

purposes and that land occupies more than 660 feet of frontage on one side or collectively

more than 660 feet of frontage on both sides of that roadway. “ Through highway ” means every highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic

from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing

the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter. “ Trackless trolley ” means every motor vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead

trolley wires but not operated upon rails. “ Traffic ” means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, street cars, and other conveyances

either singly, or together, while using any highway for purposes of travel. “ Traffic control signal ” means a device, whether manually, electrically, mechanically, or otherwise controlled,

by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed. “ Trailer ” means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed

for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed

that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle. “ Truck ” means every motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation

of property. “ Truck tractor ” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles

and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle

and load so drawn. “ Van pooling ” means seven or more persons commuting on a daily basis to and from work by means

of a vehicle with a seating arrangement designed to carry seven to 15 adult passengers. “ Vehicle ” means every device in, upon or by which a person or property is or may be transported

upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary

rails or tracks or low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, or motorized

bicycles.