1/26/10-As one of his final acts as governor, Jon Corzine signed into law a bill making various changes to state law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to conform to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Previously S3091, the new law makes fines for violating out-of-service orders more straightforward. Instead of first offenders facing a fine ranging from $1,100 to $2,750, they would be responsible for paying $2,500 fines. Anyone foolish enough to get caught twice or more would be on the hook for $5,000 and face the possibility of up to 90 days behind bars.
Motor carriers also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face up to $25,000 fines. Previously, the maximum fine was $11,000.
A separate provision in the new law institutes lifetime bans of CDL driving privileges for certain offenses.
In addition to beefing up the state’s penalties for truck driving offenses, the changes also preserve some of New Jersey’s federal highway funding. Non-compliance threatened to cost the state a 1 to 10 percent loss of those funds.

1/13/10-The Assembly voted 75-2 to advance a bill to the governor’s desk to make various changes to state law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to conform to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Senate lawmakers endorsed the bill by unanimous consent a week ago.
S3091 would make fines for violating out-of-service orders more straightforward. Instead of first offenders facing a fine ranging from $1,100 to $2,750, they would be responsible for paying $2,500 fines. Anyone foolish enough to get caught twice or more would be on the hook for $5,000 and face the possibility of up to 90 days behind bars.
Motor carriers would also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face up to $25,000 fines. Currently, the maximum fine is $11,000.
Other provisions in the bill would institute lifetime bans of CDL driving privileges for certain offenses.
For bill status, call 609-292-4840. In New Jersey, call 800-792-8630.

12/8/09-The Senate Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee advanced a bill to the full Senate that would make various changes to state law concerning commercial driver’s licenses to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Saco, D-North Bergen, S3091 calls for fines for violating out-of-service orders to be more straightforward. Instead of first offenders facing a fine ranging from $1,100 to $2,750, they would be responsible for paying $2,500 fines. Anyone foolish enough to get caught twice or more would be on the hook for $5,000 and face the possibility of up to 90 days behind bars.
Motor carriers would also face greater punishment. Employers convicted of knowingly allowing, requiring, permitting or authorizing a driver in OOS status to get behind the wheel would face up to $25,000 fines. Currently, the maximum fine is $11,000.
Other provisions in the bill would institute lifetime bans of CDL driving privileges for certain offenses.
New Jersey would be given authority to revoke truck driving privileges for anyone found guilty on at least two occasions for certain offenses that occur in non-commercial vehicles. Among the offenses listed are moving violations resulting in fatalities and use of a vehicle in a drug crime.
These offenses already can result in loss of truck driving privileges if they occur while driving a commercial vehicle.
If approved on the Senate floor the bill would move to the Assembly for further consideration. However, time is running out for it to advance to the governor’s desk. The regular session is scheduled to wrap up Jan. 11.
For bill status, call 609-292-4840. In New Jersey, call 800-792-8630.