Administrative and Traffic Laws

Administrative Laws What are administrative laws? Establish procedures for: Issuing and removing people’s driver licenses Registering a vehicle Securing a title

Getting a Driver’s License You must pass a series of tests and pay the necessary fees to obtain a D.L. Test include: Vision Test Knowledge of signs, signals, markings, state’s driving laws and safe driving practices (oral, written, or computer based) Road Test (ability to actually drive)

Suspending and Revoking Licenses Suspend – Temporarily take away licenses for a specified period of time. Typically 30-90 days and no more then 365 Revoke – Take away a license for a year or more After the time of revocation, a person needs to apply for another license

A driver will earn points for each violation Point System Each state decides to suspend or revoke a driver license based on a point system A driver will earn points for each violation Points are determined by the seriousness of the violation The most serious violations include: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (legal and illegal) Leaving the scene of a collision in which there has been an injury Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a crime

(It’s a good idea to keep this copy outside of the car) Certificate of Title The state will issue a certificate of title when you buy a vehicle The state keeps a copy as well as the owner You must supply this certificate when selling a vehicle (It’s a good idea to keep this copy outside of the car) The certificate lists the following: Name of the owner Make and Style of the vehicle VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) Engine number

Vehicle Registration You must register your vehicle with the state It shows who is responsible for operating the vehicle Once registered you will receive a registration card and the license plates If the state requires Liability Insurance, you must also provide the name of your Insurance Company Registration must be renewed every year The registration card is required to be in the vehicle during operation

Vehicle Title and Registration Manual p142 NJ residents who buy a new or used vehicle must title, register, and insure it before driving it on public roads If a motorist moves into this state, the law requires his vehicle to be titled and registered within 60 days; sooner, if the out-of-state registration expires before then An initial registration for a brand-new vehicle will be valid for four years. All other registrations are typically valid for one year

How to Complete an Initial Registration Manual p142 Complete a New Jersey Vehicle Registration application at any MVC agency. Provide the name of the vehicle’s current insurance company name and the policy number on the application Show proof of vehicle ownership New-Manufacturer’s Certificate of origin and dealer’s certificate of sale are proof Previously Owned – At title signed by the previous owner is proof Leased – get a power of attorney from the leasing company Show proof that required sales tax has been paid, or pay the tax at the agency A NJ motorist must be at least 17 years old to register a vehicle

License Plates Manual p143 Motorists will receive two matching license plates upon registering a vehicle One plate should be attached to the front The second plate should attached to the rear at least 12 inches but less than 48 inches above the ground The rear plate must be lighted so it is visible from 50 feet at night

License Plate Facts Manual p143 Report lost or stolen license plates to the police If a motorist sells her vehicle and does not transfer the plates to another vehicle, she should turn in the old plates at any MVC agency or mail them to the MVC Forged or counterfeit license plates on any motor vehicle may result in a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days imprisonment or a license suspension of up to six months or both

Vehicle Inspection Manual p144 All gasoline-fueled vehicles, more than 5 model years old, registered in NJ must pass state safety and emissions inspections every two years at a state inspection facility or a state-licensed private inspection facility New gasoline-fueled vehicles must pass their first MVC inspection five years after they are initiallyregistered To be eligible for inspections, all motorists must bring a valid driver license and valid NJ registration and insurance documents for the vehicle

Vehicle Inspection Manual p144 When moving to New Jersey from another state, a motorist must have his/her vehicle inspected within 14 days after registering it.

Insurance Financial responsibility is also another aspect of driving. Auto insurance pays for some of the bills when you crash Most states require it It can also pay for the damages that are caused that result in death, injury or property damage

Insurance Manual p144 Every vehicle registered in NJ must have liability insurance A New Jersey Insurance Identification Card will be provided for each vehicle insured under a policy. This card must remain in the vehicle with the driver Driving with an uninsured vehicle can result in fines, community service, license and registration suspension and insurance surcharges

Insurance Fraud Manual p145 If a person commits insurance fraud by providing false information to an insurance company while making a claim or submitting an insurance application, the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor can file criminal charges that can result in incarceration It may also impose civil fines up to $15000 for each violation In addition, a person convicted of insurance fraud could lose her driver license