Few New Jersey Teens Are Complying with New Driver-Decal Law, State Says

Few New Jersey teen drivers are complying with the nation’s first law that requires them to display decals on their license plates.

Fewer than one in four had purchased the decals when the new law went into effect earlier this month.

State Motor Vehicle Commission spokesman Michael Horan says 59,537 pairs had been sold. At least 250,000 drivers are required to display the detachable decals. The decals help police enforce restrictions on first-time drivers, which limit the number of passengers they can carry and the hours they can drive. Violators could face a $100 fine.

A few state Assembly Republicans plan to introduce a bill that would rescind the decal requirement. Opponents say the law subjects motorists to nuisance traffic stops and might entice criminals to target young drivers.