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New Jersey driving lesson · Driver Responsibility

Snow, carbon monoxide, and idling

A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driver Responsibility
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
49, 50, 52, 101, 131

Three vehicle-care rules protect other people: clear snow and ice before you drive, keep exhaust fumes out of the car, and don't let the engine idle. Each one carries fines in New Jersey.

Know the rule

Before driving, make all reasonable efforts to remove ice and snow from the vehicle's exposed surfaces, including the hood, trunk, roof and windshield.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
$25 to $75

Fine for not removing snow or ice, even if none comes off the vehicle

Handbook p. 49 ↗

If ice or snow flies off and causes death, injury or damage

If ice or snow flies off and causes death, injury or damage
VehicleFine each time
Private vehicle$200 to $1,000
Commercial owner or operator$500 to $1,500
Handbook p. 131 ↗

Carbon monoxide (CO)

An odorless, colorless gas in vehicle exhaust that can build up in or around a vehicle, with potentially fatal results.

Handbook p. 49 ↗

Conditions that can build up dangerous CO

  • An exhaust leak or poorly tuned engine
  • Driving with the trunk or rear tailgate open
  • Holes in the vehicle body
  • Idling in a garage or confined space, even with the garage door open
  • A tailpipe blocked by snow, leaves or water
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Common CO poisoning symptoms

  • Headache and dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

CO can kill before any symptoms are noticed. If you suspect CO poisoning, move the person away from the source, call 911, turn off the engine, get out when safe, and get the victim fresh air.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
3 minutes

Longest a vehicle may idle in New Jersey

Handbook p. 52 ↗
$250 to $1,000

Fine for vehicle and property owners, per idling violation

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Idling exceptions include

  • Vehicles stopped in traffic
  • Vehicles being repaired or waiting to be inspected
  • Emergency vehicles in emergency situations
  • Buses while discharging or picking up passengers
Handbook p. 101 ↗

Put it into practice

After a snowstorm you clear only the windshield and drive off. Even if nothing blows off, you can be fined $25 to $75. If a slab of ice flies off your roof and cracks another car's windshield, the fine rises to $200 to $1,000.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Under New Jersey law, what is the maximum time a motorist may leave a vehicle idling?
  1. 3 minutes
  2. 5 minutes
  3. 10 minutes
  4. 1 minute

Answer: 3 minutes

New Jersey law restricts vehicle idling to three minutes or less, with some listed exceptions.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
What is the fine range for violating New Jersey's vehicle idling law?
  1. $25 to $75 per violation
  2. $250 to $1,000 per violation
  3. $1,000 to $5,000 per violation
  4. $50 to $100 per violation

Answer: $250 to $1,000 per violation

Vehicle and property owners face fines of $250 to $1,000 for each idling violation.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
A motorist is required to remove snow or ice from their vehicle before driving, and can be fined even if no snow or ice actually dislodges.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

A motorist is subject to a fine of $25 to $75 for not removing snow or ice, regardless of whether any is dislodged from the vehicle.

Handbook p. 49 ↗
Which situation does the manual list as one that can let dangerous carbon monoxide build up in or around a vehicle?
  1. Driving with all side windows partly open
  2. Running the air conditioner on recirculate
  3. Idling in a garage, even with the door open
  4. Parking in direct sunlight with windows up

Answer: Idling in a garage, even with the door open

Idling in a garage or confined space, even with the outside garage door open, is one of the listed conditions that can cause dangerous CO levels.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
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