State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - Driver Manual

If a motorist requires a change to his/her name or address or other personal data, the MVC will correct the permit, non-driver ID or a driver license. Follow the chart on this page. Proofs must be original documents or certified copies with the required state or municipal raised seal. Ceremonial documents, such as baptism certificates or religious marriage certificates, are not valid proof.

Item/Reason/Proof

Name/Marriage/Civil Union/Birth certificate or certified copy, plus Marriage or Civil Union certificate

/Divorce/Birth certificate or certified copy, marriage or civil union certificate, divorce decree noting name change

Date of birth /Adoption/Birth certificate or certified copy, court adoption papers

/Legal change/Birth certificate or certified copy, certified court order

/Correction/Birth certificate or certified copy, Department of State birth certificate, U.S. Passport, Alien registration card, U.S. citizenship papers, Active military ID card, U.S. adoption papers, Military discharge papers (DD214), U.S. naturalization certificate

Address/Moved/Bank statement, utility bill, official government mail

Social Security/Correction/Social Security card

Weight, height/Correction or change/None required

Sex/Medical sex change/Amended certified birth certificate

Replacement fees are $11 for duplicates, replacements, permits and non-driver IDs. Handicapped non-driver IDs are $7 for a duplicate and $9 for a change.

The MVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the policy that states government agencies cannot deny programs and activities to anyone because of disabilities. Everyone who uses government services should have the right to independent access to information. One example is that disabled people can access information about permits, licenses, vehicle inspection and registration, driving laws and regulations. Some programs the MVC provides are:

* Teletype digital display (TDD) machine phone access to general information

* Two 24-hour general information lines

* MVC Web site

* Physical access to MVC facilities and parking

* Clear and concise publications in English (some in Spanish)

* Oral, written and automated driver testing

* Availability of placards and license plates for disabled persons;

non-driver identification cards

Possessing a driver license can save lives through organ and tissue donation. One organ and tissue donor can save or enhance more than 50 lives. The State of New Jersey and the U.S. government passed the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which allows an individual to donate his/her organs upon death.

An individual’s decision to be an organ donor can make a difference in lives throughout New Jersey and across the nation. Right now, tens of thousands of people are awaiting organ transplants, while thousands more are in need of tissue and corneal transplants. The shortage of donors is so severe that every day, 18 people die waiting for organs that could save their lives. You can give the gift of life simply by agreeing to become a donor.

Saying “yes” to organ and tissue donation is an important decision for everyone, including the more than 4,200 New Jerseyans who are waiting for organs. Learn more about being an organ donor. Get the answers and have the power to give others the most precious gift: life.

Most people do not realize that all major religions support organ donation and consider it the greatest gift a person can give. Anyone can decide to be a donor, even in cases of hepatitis and diabetes. There are no costs to the family for donation, and it will not affect funeral arrangements. Age, gender, race, ethnicity or wealth do not affect who receives available organs.

When applying for a driver license for the first time and each time it is renewed, MVC staff will ask if the applicant would like the Organ Donor designation to appear on his/her license. If the individual is 18 years or older and agrees by saying yes, he/she is legally consenting to the donation of organs and tissue. This is an important decision to share with family.

For more information about organ and tissue donation, please visit www.donatelifenj.org.

To expedite the voter registration process, the MVC sends voter registration applications with all driver license renewals and changes of address. In a further effort to encourage all qualified citizens of New Jersey to register to vote, the MVC has voter registration applications at all its agencies. These applications can be used by eligible residents while conducting licensing transactions. The information collected from the voter registration application is transferred to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Division of Elections for input into the statewide Voter Registration System.

Maps are used by motorists to guide them in their travels. The N.J. Department of Transportation publishes an official transportation map and guide for highways and public transit. It also contains useful tips on a wide array of cultural, recreational and historical attractions that make New Jersey special. To obtain a map, call (800) Jersey-7 (800-537-7397).

Motorists should keep maps of their destinations in their vehicles and should know how to read them. Maps are easy to use. For example, to find a town, a motorist may use the map’s index, which notes a letter and number after the town’s name. The motorist can then match each to the numbers and letters on the sides of the map. The lines that cross the map from that number and letter combination form a defined area. This will help locate a town in that squared-off area of the map.

Traffic signs, signals and road markings are set up to control the flow of traffic, making streets and highways safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. A safe driver always watches for and obeys all traffic signals, signs and road markings. During heavy traffic or in an emergency, a police officer may direct traffic. A police officer can overrule traffic signals. Law enforcement orders or directions must always be obeyed.

Court penalties will be imposed for stealing or damaging airport, traffic or railroad-crossing signs or equipment.

Traffic Signals

When traffic signals are hung vertically, the red light is always on top. The yellow is in the center. The green light is third in line. If there is a green arrow, it is always on the bottom. When the lights are horizontal, red is always on the left.

Red Light

A motorist must stop before the intersection or crosswalk and remain stopped until the light changes to green.

Yellow Light

A motorist should stop before entering the intersection or crosswalk, unless his/her vehicle is so close to the intersection that it cannot be stopped safely. A yellow arrow means the signal is changing from green to red and gives the motorist a chance to stop safely.

Green Light

A motorist should proceed through the intersection. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection and when turning left or right. Before making a left turn, yield to approaching vehicles.

Green Arrow

When shown alone or in combination with the red signal, proceed only as shown by the arrow. Be cautious and yield to pedestrians.

Flashing Yellow Light

Slow down and proceed with care.

Flashing Red Light

Stop. Yield to traffic and pedestrians. Go only when safe.