Is it legal to own a pet armadillo?
Permit required
New Jersey requires a permit for any exotic mammal that isn't specifically exempted.
NJ · State hub
New Jersey
Every QuirkMaps topic for New Jersey, grouped by category. Each answer links to the official source it comes from.
Exotic pets
Vehicles
Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Sunday car sales banned
New Jersey bans buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles as a business on Sunday statewide.
Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
All riders
New Jersey requires every motorcycle operator and rider to wear a helmet.
Do you need a front license plate?
Front and rear plates
New Jersey issues two plates for passenger cars and requires one on the front and one on the rear.
Is it legal to pump your own gas?
Attendant must pump
New Jersey bans self-service gas; only station attendants may pump gasoline into your car.
Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Allowed with limits
New Jersey bars any horn from making an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a train horn likely breaks.
Is there an annual vehicle safety inspection?
No safety inspection
New Jersey inspects passenger cars only for emissions, not for safety equipment.
Home & property
Are fireworks legal?
Sparklers and ground fireworks only
New Jersey allows sparklers, ground-based sparkling devices and novelties for people 16 and older, but bans aerial and exploding fireworks.
Food & drink
Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Allowed with limits
New Jersey allows drink specials but bans unlimited drinks for a set price and prepaid multi-drink deals.
Is there a bottle deposit?
No bottle deposit
New Jersey has no bottle deposit; businesses pay a non-refundable litter fee instead.
Where can you buy liquor?
Private licensed stores
New Jersey liquor is sold by privately owned stores holding a plenary retail distribution license; the state does not sell liquor.
Time & calendar
Does the state observe daylight saving time?
Observes DST
New Jersey observes daylight saving time under state law and has not enacted a year-round time law.
Money & taxes
Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
New Jersey exempts most grocery food from its sales tax; candy, soft drinks and prepared food are taxed.
Does the state have a lottery?
Has a state lottery
Yes. New Jersey runs a state lottery that its constitution authorizes and state law governs.
Does the state have a sales-tax-free weekend?
No tax-free period
No. New Jersey repealed its annual back-to-school sales tax holiday in 2024, so none was held in 2026.
Voting & elections
Do you need an ID to vote?
No ID document required
Most New Jersey voters don't show ID at the polls. Only certain first-time or unverified registrants must, and photo and non-photo documents count.