In New Jersey can cops check your car just to see if you have more than 1 person if you are 17

Question

If you get caught what is the punishment

Are cops really strict with it

Answer 1

The burden of proof needed to make a traffic stop is "reasonable suspicion".

Seeing a person who appears to be too young to be driving with passengers is reasonable.

Yes, police are strict with this. Distractions are a large part of accidents involving young drivers, and the more passengers you have, the more opportunity you have to be distracted.

Answer 2

We will not let you drive away with more than one passenger.

I find that the fine for this violation is a small part of the total cost.

Most kids tell me that the grief that they got from their parents was worse than the fine.

We don't always tell your parents but the parents of your passengers will when their kids arrive home in a cab and they have to pay for it.