Benson, Freiman Bill to Allow NJ Drivers to Show Electronic Proof of Vehicle Registration Clears Assembly

          (TRENTON) – Making it easier for drivers to confirm their vehicle is registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC), legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Daniel Benson and Roy Freiman, which was approved by the full Assembly on Monday, 74-0, would allow drivers to display electronic proof of their vehicle registration when prompted.

Under current law, an operator of a motor vehicle who is asked to provide proof of registration to a police officer or judge is only allowed to provide a registration certificate in traditional paper form.

“Driver’s should be allowed the flexibility of how they can produce these important documents,” said Benson (D- Mercer, Middlesex). “Most of the time, it is easier, faster and more convenient to pull a document up on your cell phone or tablet.”

“Car insurance and registration documents are not always with you and may be kept in a safe and separate place,” said Freiman (D- Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “Allowing a driver to produce their registration electronically, may also make it easier for an officer to assess the validity of the document, especially when it comes directly from the source such as the NJMVC website.”

Under the bill (A-5752), the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would establish rules and regulations concerning the issuance, design, and content of the electronic registration certificates.  The rules and regulations are to contain provisions designed to deter and detect counterfeit or fraudulent registration certificates and provide for an electronic form for the display of registration certificates.

The bill will now go to the Senate for further review.