New Jersey is taking an important step toward safer and more respectful interactions between individuals with autism and law enforcement. Starting next week, residents on the autism spectrum will be able to request a special designation on their driver’s license or state-issued ID card. This new program is intended to alert police officers during traffic stops or other encounters that the individual may have communication or sensory challenges.
The designation will appear as the number 5 in the “Restrictions” section of the ID. This subtle but meaningful mark will serve as a quiet signal to officers that the person may require a different approach during interactions.
In addition to the license or ID update, individuals will also receive a Motor Vehicle Commission “pink card” that outlines their diagnosis. This card must be carried alongside the license or ID card.
“So law enforcement, when they interact with them, they know how to treat them with respect and make sure that everyone can be treated safely,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
The pink card includes a section where individuals can indicate specific designations, including boxes for “autism spectrum,” “communication disorder,” and “disorder hearing aid.” In the restrictions section, there are also boxes for “hearing impaired,” “mechanical aid,” “prosthetic aid,” and others, reflecting a broad spectrum of needs.
For many individuals, especially those with autism, encounters with law enforcement can be anxiety-inducing. Adding a code that discreetly identifies their needs can help reduce misunderstandings and potentially dangerous miscommunications. This effort to recognize neurodiversity within official documentation acknowledges that not everyone communicates in the same way—and that’s where the communications disorder designation becomes particularly important.
To participate in the program, applicants will need to provide six points of identification and a formal statement from either themselves or a guardian verifying the diagnosis. Once approved, the license will include the updated code and the individual will receive the associated pink card.
Being stopped by police can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but it’s especially challenging for those who struggle to communicate clearly under stress. Advocates emphasize how easily behavior linked to autism can be misinterpreted.
“It may be difficult for you to let someone know what that disorder is or that you need communication accommodations, and so often that could be misinterpreted by law enforcement as someone who is uncooperative,” Human Services Secretary Commissioner Sarah Adelman said.
Tim Barlow, a New Jersey father, recalled an incident involving his 23-year-old son, who has autism. His son was pulled over by police and visibly nervous.
“He was very nervous. Thankfully the officer who stopped him was able to pick up on some of the things that my son was doing or how he was speaking, and he reached out to me to see if my son was on the spectrum, and I was able to confirm that,” Barlow said.
That officer’s intuition and willingness to ask questions made all the difference. But not every situation will unfold as smoothly, which is why advocates say this program is so important.
Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey, described another instance in which a misunderstanding nearly led to a more serious issue. A man with autism was asked by a police officer to pull into a parking lot, but he hesitated.
“He was realizing in that moment that the officer was asking him to drive into that parking lot without his license, but he was following the rule that he needed to have his license on him in order to drive,” Buchanan said.
These types of scenarios highlight the urgent need for tools that bridge the gap in understanding. With this new designation and pink card system, New Jersey is helping to ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum—and others with communication challenges—are treated with compassion, safety, and the dignity they deserve.
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