Vehicle Information

 NJ residents who buy a new or used vehicle must title, register and insure it before driving on public roads  If a motorist moves into this state, the law requires his/her vehicle to be titled and registered within 60 days, sooner if out of state registration expires before then  An initial registration for a brand new vehicle will be valid for four years

 All other registration are typically valid for one year  You must be at least 17 years of age to register a vehicle in NJ

 Complete a NJ Vehicle Registration application(BA-49)  Provide name and policy number from the current insurance company  Show proof of vehicle ownership (for a new vehicle, a manufacturer’s certificate of origin and dealer’s certificate of sales proof  For a previously owned vehicle, a title signed by previous owner is proof

 For a leased vehicle, get power of attorney from the leasing company.  For out-of –State vehicles that are leased or financed, secure the original title from the lien holder or leasing company  On all above listed procedures you must show proof that the required sales tax has been paid, or you will pay sales tax at the MVC

 Obtain a title through the dealership where the vehicle was purchased  Obtain the manufacturers' certificate of origin assigned to the owner, ensuring that the document has the sales tax stamp on the back

 Complete the reverse side of a title with buyer’s seller and vehicle information  present the signed title and pay the required titling fee  The buyer must pay sales tax on the purchase price titling the vehicle

 If the title is lost or stolen, a duplicate title can be issued at any MVC or by mail for a $25 fee

 Motorists will receive two matching license plates upon registering the vehicle  For passenger vehicles, one plate should be attached to the front and rear of the vehicle, at least 12 inches off the ground but less then 48 inches above the ground  Bothe plates must be clean, visible and lighted so that it can be seen from 50 feet away at night  Using license plate covers or holders that obscure or conceal any lettering on the plate is a violation with a $100 fine.

 If your plates are lost or stolen you are to report this to the local police department immediately and retain a copy of the complaint  If you sell your vehicle and the plates do not transfer to another vehicle you should turn those plates into the MVC and obtain a receipt for your records  If you terminate your vehicle insurance, the plates must be turned into the MVC

 If you place invalid or forged plates on your vehicle the fine will be up to $500, up to 60 days imprisonment or license suspension up to 6 months or both

 All gas fueled vehicles, more then 5 model years old registered in NJ must pass state safety and emission inspection every two years at a state inspection center  New gasoline-fueled vehicles must pass their first MVC inspection after five years after they are initially registered  To be eligible, motorist must bring a valid license, registration and insurance card

 Without proper documentation, the vehicle will not pass inspection  When moving to NJ the registered owner must have his/her vehicle inspected within 14 days after registering it  Driving a vehicle with expired inspection sticker may result in your car being impounded, $100- $200 fine and/or imprisonment for 30 days will be issued to the driver and registered owner

 the registered owner has 60 days from the date of the inspection to make those repairs  If repairs are not made, your car will be impounded and the motorist and or registered owner will be cited for failure to make repairs and subject to penalties

 Motor vehicle liability insurance is mandatory in the state of NJ  Every vehicle registered must have liability insurance  Driving with an uninsured vehicle can result in $300-$1000 fine, 1 year license suspension, Community Service determined by the courts and a surcharge of $250 for 3 years

 OIFP = Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor  If a person commits insurance fraud by providing false information to an insurance company while making a claim or submitting an insurance application, the OIFPO can file criminal charges that can result in incarceration  it may also impose civil fines up to $15,000 for each violation