Now in its seventh year, NJM’s Share the Keys Program continues to spread awareness about the critical role parents and guardians play as their teen begins to drive. The in-person program focuses on the benefits of having parental/guardian support and supervision in the early stages of driving. The presentation also discusses Graduated Driver Licensing laws and the requirements for permit and probationary drivers.
Teens are at the greatest risk of being involved in a crash during the first 12-24 months of driving. Practice driving and parental involvement during this time are essential in reducing new drivers’ crash risk.
Effective February 2025, New Jersey will require permit holders under age 21 to complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving to qualify for a provisional license. Of these, 10 hours must be spent driving at night. A parent, guardian, or supervisor of the practice driving must certify these 50 hours.
“This update to New Jersey’s licensing requirements will help to reduce the chance of crashes involving our most vulnerable drivers,” said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, acting chair and chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. “In combination with the support of parents and guardians, coupled with robust driver training programs like Share the Keys, our teenagers will be better prepared to face the challenges of driving on our busy roadways.” The Share the Keys program has been presented in high schools throughout New Jersey. Since the program’s introduction in 2017, more than 56,500 New Jersey parents/guardians and teenagers have attended a Share the Keys presentation.
“Implementing the Share the Keys program as a prerequisite for students driving to school offers us greater peace of mind,” said Leslie Madison, assistant principal of Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing. “This initiative ensures that parents, guardians, and students engage in meaningful discussions about driving expectations and everyday hazards, thereby reducing the risk of teen accidents. By fostering this collaboration, we create a safer environment for our student drivers and the entire school community.”
STK is offered at no cost to New Jersey high schools through a partnership with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. For more information or to request a free presentation, please visit www.njm.com/share-the-keys.
