ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4442

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  AUGUST 24, 2020

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4442.

      As amended and reported, this bill allows a person who has passed the road test for driver licensure to operate a motor vehicle in this State in the same manner and to the same extent as the holder of a probationary driver’s license of the same age as the person.  This includes the ability to acquire automobile insurance in the same manner as the holder of a probationary driver’s license.  The authorization to operate a motor vehicle is to be valid for 60 days following passage of the road test.  For applicants who passed the road test before the effective date of the bill, the person is authorized for 60 days from the effective date of the bill to operate a motor vehicle.  After that time period, the person will be required to visit a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) agency to receive a driver’s license in order to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to remove the provision that allows new drivers who have passed the commission’s road test to use a permit to operate a motor vehicle for an indefinite period of time and to replace it with a provision that authorizes a new driver to use a permit for a period of 60 days following passage of the road test.  The amendments provide that the person is required to visit a commission agency on or before the 60th day following passage of the road test in order to receive a driver’s license.  For a person who passed the road test before enactment of the bill, the person has 60 days from the effective date of the bill.  The amendments provided that any person who does not receive a driver’s license by the 60th day following passage of the road test or the effective date of the bill, as applicable, is no longer authorized to operate a motor vehicle.  The amendments allow a person to receive a driver’s license after the 60-day period, subject to requirements imposed by the chief administrator of the commission.