NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES PROMPT VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS BY NEW STATE RESIDENTS

NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES PROMPT VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS BY NEW STATE RESIDENTS

Fisher, Stack, Albano, Van Drew, Burzichelli Measure Will Drive Higher Road Safety

(TRENTON) - Legislation five Democratic assemblymen sponsored to require all New Jersey residents to register their motor vehicles with the state within 60 days of becoming a resident of the state was signed into law today by the Governor.

The measure (A-3372) was sponsored by Assemblymen Douglas H. Fisher, Brian P. Stack, Nelson T. Albano, Jeff Van Drew, and John J. Burzichelli.  They said the new law was crafted to help address the problem of car abandonments following auto accidents that have plagued Bridgeton and other small New Jersey cities that have large concentrations of illegal aliens.

"It's a simple thing really," said Fisher (D-Cumberland).  "If you live in New Jersey and you drive in New Jersey, you should be required to register your car in New Jersey.  End of story."

The new law overrides an earlier law that extended "touring privileges" to new residents whose vehicles remained registered in another state, a provision that amounted to grace time to switch registration to New Jersey.

Many people who move to New Jersey or drive in the state maintain their former registrations because the insurance requirements and driving record restrictions are much more relaxed. It also is easier for illegal aliens to register vehicles in other states - Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin topping the list. Registering in another state allows these individuals to drive with lapsed or no insurance and gives police no clear way to identify an individual's primary residence if they are in an accident or stopped for a traffic violation.

The law does not give police authority to indiscriminately stop cars not registered in New Jersey, but it would give them a chance to inquire about vehicles with out-of-state plates that are routinely parked in a neighborhood for more than 60 days.

"This shortened mandate requiring New Jersey residents register their vehicles here will go a long way toward ensuring every driver is properly licensed, registered, and insured." said Stack (D-Hudson), a member of the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee. 

"When someone stopped in New Jersey has an out-of-state license from one state and an out-of-state registration from another state, it becomes extremely difficult for police to know at what address, if any, the person actually resides," said Van Drew (D-Cape May).  "This further complicates filing of insurance claims, sending court summonses, and generally makes the process of resolving an accident or traffic stop that much harder."

The law expressly requires new New Jersey residents to register their vehicles with the state Motor Vehicles Commission within 60 days of becoming a resident of the state.

Violators can face fines of up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for second and subsequent offenses. Violators also can have their vehicles impounded for at least 96 hours for third and subsequent offenses. Any fines and fees resulting from violations are payable to the county or municipality in which the violation occurred, except in cases where the driver was stopped by a state trooper.

"Anyone who's ever been involved in a car accident knows how unsettling and unnerving the process can be," said Albano (D-Cumberland). "And it's only compounded when one of the drivers - who lives in New Jersey - is licensed in one state, insured in another, and registered in a third. Requiring mandatory New Jersey registrations for state residents will help to resolve these situations more quickly and easily."

"Mandating new residents to register their vehicles with the state in a timely fashion will also help to ensure that every New Jersey resident on the road has auto insurance," said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). "Doing that will help cut down on insurance fraud and abuse, which, in turn, will help keep insurance premiums low."
 
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