New Jersey Mayors Announce Support and Urge Action on Legislation to Expand Access to Drivers Licenses in New Jersey

A4743/S3229, introduced Monday in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, would expand access to licenses to 500,000 new New Jersey drivers, including immigrants and others who face barriers to obtaining a license under REAL ID

New Jersey November 28, 2018: In response to legislation introduced Monday by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Senator Joseph Vitale that would expand access to drivers licenses in New Jersey, Mayors Andre Sayegh of Paterson, J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, James Cahill of New Brunswick, Hector Lora of Passaic, James Dodd of Dover and Domenick Stampone of Haledon issued the following statements:

“The proposed legislation for a standard basic driver’s license is a common sense solution for the numerous Patersonians who need a driver’s licenses to provide and care for their families,” said Mayor Andre Sayegh of Paterson, NJ. “From immigrants to senior citizens, from the homeless to survivors of domestic violence, this option would protect residents’ privacy while ensuring that all drivers can be trained, tested, and have access to insurance. Our police can better focus on what matters and free up resources in courts and jails due to fewer unlicensed or uninsured drivers. And Patersonians can go about their daily lives by driving to work, dropping their kids off at school, and visiting the doctor without fear. We encourage our legislators to vote yes on A4743/S3229.”

“New Jersey has taken a key step to stand up for expanding access to drivers licenses, introducing legislation by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Senator Joe Vitale that will permit all qualified drivers, regardless of status, to apply for a driver’s license,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, NJ. “When more drivers are tested, licensed and insured, we are all safer.”

Mayor Hector Lora of Passaic said: “Expanding access to drivers licenses to more qualified New Jerseyans is a commonsense policy solution that will make our roads safer and help hundreds of thousands of families across the state. When more drivers have a license and insurance, our highways and roads are safer across the Garden State. It also helps residents to go about their daily lives without fear, including driving to work, dropping their kids off at school, and going to doctors’ appointments. I applaud Assemblywoman Quijano and Senator Vitale for introducing this key legislation – it’s about safety and compassion for our families.”

Mayor James Cahill of New Brunswick said: “We all stand to benefit from this legislation introduced by Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, which will expand access to drivers licenses to nearly half a million potentially qualified New Jersey drivers, including immigrants and others who cannot meet the requirements under the federal REAL ID Act but are still qualified to drive. Our local economy will benefit with so many new drivers and we are all safer when more drivers are tested, licensed and insured.”

Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken said: “Too many New Jerseyans who are otherwise qualified drivers face barriers to getting behind the wheel because of their immigration status or because they lack proper documentation to obtain a license. This hurts our state’s economy and our families’ ability to thrive. As New Jersey implements the federal REAL ID Act, we need to ensure more drivers can obtain licenses without risking their privacy or facing unnecessary barriers. I commend Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Senator Joseph Vitale for introducing A-4743 and S 3229, key legislation for our families, our roads and our economy – and I urge action this year to expand licenses to more qualified New Jersey drivers.”

“I want to thank Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and state Senator Joseph Vitale for introducing legislation that will help tens of thousands of families drive themselves to school, church and work safely,” said Dover Mayor James P. Dodd. “This bill will protect all New Jersey drivers and will allow individuals to stop relying on others for their transportation needs. I urge lawmakers to do the right thing for all New Jersey residents and support this critical bill.”

“As a mayor and a municipal prosecutor, I support sensible legislation that expands access to NJ drivers licenses,” said Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone. “Allowing eligible New Jerseyans to drive, fully licensed and insured, makes economic sense and strengthens public safety.”

A4743/S3229 would create a two license system in New Jersey, including a REAL ID federal license and a standard license for driving and identification purposes for qualified drivers including undocumented immigrants, survivors of domestic violence and others who face barriers meeting the REAL ID requirement.

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