[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3596

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 4, 2017

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH PENNACCHIO

District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)

Senator  JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL

District 10 (Ocean)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Concerns temporary registration certificates for automobiles.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As amended by the Senate on December 18, 2017.

  


An Act concerning temporary registration certificates for automobiles and amending P.L.1969, c.301

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 1 of P.L.1969, c.301 (C.39:3-4b) is amended to read as follows:

     1.    Any nonresident purchasing an automobile [in the State while enroute to another State or Federal district from a licensed dealer] from a licensed dealer in New Jersey which is to be principally garaged, registered, and titled in another state, a federal district, or 1[another country] Canada1, may register the [same] automobile in New Jersey on a temporary basis.

     [Such] A temporary registration shall be made in the following manner:  An application in writing, signed by the applicant or by an agent or officer in case the applicant is a corporation, shall be made to the [director] chief administrator or [his] the chief administrator’s lawful agent, on forms prepared and supplied by the [director] chief administrator, containing the name, address, and age of the owner, together with a description of the character of the automobile, including the name of the maker and the manufacturer's number or the motor number, or both, and any other statement that may be required by the [director.  If the vehicle is insured by motor vehicle liability insurance as provided for in section 3 of chapter 173 of the laws of 1952, the applicant must file an accompanying certificate, issued by the insurance carrier.  An application shall contain the name of the insurer of said vehicle and the policy number.]  chief administrator.  A temporary registration certificate shall not be issued unless the licensed dealer has confirmed that the vehicle for which the temporary registration is to be issued is insured in accordance with the requirements of the “Motor Vehicle Security-Responsibility Law,” P.L.1952, c.173 (C.39:6-23 et seq.), or the corresponding financial responsibility laws of the 1[state, federal district, or country] jurisdiction1 in which the vehicle is to be titled and registered.

      In the event that [such] the insurance is terminated, the insurer shall notify the [director] chief administrator within 30 days, following [such] the termination.

     Thereupon the [director] chief administrator or licensed dealer shall have the power to grant a temporary registration certificate and temporary plates to the owner of any automobile, if over 17 years of age, either directly or through any licensed motor vehicle dealer who is not within the geographical district, application for the temporary registration having been properly made and the required fee [therefor] paid, and the vehicle being of a type that complies with the requirements of this subtitle.  The form and contents of the temporary registration certificate to be issued shall be prescribed by the [director] chief administrator.  The [director] chief administrator shall maintain a record of all temporary registration certificates issued, and of the contents thereof.

     Every temporary registration shall expire and the certificate thereof shall become void on the [twentieth] 30th day following the date on which the certificate was issued; no temporary registration shall be renewed, except as a permanent registration pursuant to [section 39:3-4 of the Revised Statutes] R.S.39:3-4, and after payment of the fees prescribed therein , or as a second temporary registration certificate issued pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1969, c.301 (C.39:3-4c). 1Each licensed dealer shall remit upon issuance of a second temporary registration certificate the amount due to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.1

     The [director] chief administrator shall issue temporary registration certificates for the [20] 30 day registration period, which shall be effective immediately.

     Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding [$100.00] $100, except that for the misstatement of any fact in the application required to be made by the [director] chief administrator, the person making [such statement] the misstatement shall be subject to the penalties provided in [section 39:3-37 of this Title] R.S.39:3-37.

(cf: P.L.1969, c.301, s.1)

 

     2.    Section 2 of P.L.1969, c.301 (C.39:3-4c) is amended to read as follows:

     2.    The chief administrator may prescribe rules and regulations governing the issuance of temporary registration certificates and temporary plates by motor vehicle dealers, motorized bicycle dealers, and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and may require security in sufficient amount to guarantee payment of all fees and moneys to the State of New Jersey and, upon a finding that any abuse has been practiced by any licensed motor vehicle or motorized bicycle dealer, the chief administrator shall have the right to suspend [such] the dealer's privilege or franchise [to issue such] from issuing temporary registration certificates and plates.  Temporary registration certificates for vehicles to be permanently registered in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction shall be valid for a period of 30 days.  In the event permanent registration has been delayed by reason of a lost title certificate or failure of a lien holder to timely turn over a certificate of title, a second temporary registration certificate may be issued.  A licensed motor vehicle or motorized bicycle dealer shall make a record in the form and manner prescribed by the chief administrator for [each such] any second temporary registration certificate issued and shall pay an enhanced fee to be determined by the chief administrator for each [such] second temporary registration issued. Each licensed motor vehicle or motorized bicycle dealer shall annually determine the fees to be paid pursuant to this section and shall remit annually under certification the amount due to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

     No temporary registration certificate shall be issued by a licensed dealer hereunder unless [such] the licensed dealer has confirmed that the vehicle for which the temporary registration is to be issued is [insured] covered by a policy of insurance in accordance with the requirements of the "Motor Vehicle Security-Responsibility Law," P.L.1952, c.173 (C.39:6-23 et seq.), whether by a policy in the name of the purchaser covering the vehicle or which would provide coverage for the purchaser while operating the vehicle or by an endorsement to a policy in the name of the licensed dealer; provided, however, no permanent registration shall be issued unless a policy in the name of the purchaser or someone in the purchaser's household is confirmed.

     A temporary registration certificate issued hereunder may be issued by any employee authorized by a licensed dealer to do so; however, the licensee shall be liable for the acts of any [such] authorized [person] employee in issuing temporary registrations, whether the particular unlawful acts were authorized or unauthorized.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.335, s.19)

 

     3.  This act shall take effect 1[immediately] on the first day of the seventh month following enactment and shall only apply to temporary registration certificates issued on or after the effective date1.