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There are so many things to think about when you own a car and drive every day: gas prices, staying current with insurance, all the driving laws, and speed limits, defensive driving so that others don’t hurt you or your car, and keeping up with your registration, just to name a few.
Since your vehicle registration only needs to be updated once a year, and the sticker is on the back of your car and out of your line of sight, you might forget about it. That’s normal! Driving in New Jersey without a valid registration, though, can cause you a whole host of problems that you will not want to deal with.
What Does Valid Registration Mean?
Whenever you get a new (or new to you) vehicle, you need to register it under your name at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Registering your car means that the driving authorities of the state know who owns the car, who is responsible for driving it, and your contact information.
The fees that you pay when registering your car also go toward keeping up the roads and maintenance required for cars to drive throughout the state. So, if you’re driving, you need to help pay for the work needed to keep up the streets.
But how do you do this? Keep reading to see what types of vehicles need to be registered, how to register your vehicle (or vehicles) in New Jersey, how often you need to do it and why, and the possible consequences for not having a valid registration.
What Types of Vehicles Need a Valid Registration?
It’s not just cars that need an MVC registration. If you have any of the below vehicles, they’ll need to appropriate documents on file and fees paid:
o Cars
o Motorcycles
o Commercial vehicles
o Recreation vehicles and motorhomes
o Boats and watercraft
You want to make sure any vehicle you own is following the rules! But how do you do this?
How to Register a Vehicle in NJ State
Registering a vehicle for the first time, or for the first time in a new place, can be an overwhelming experience. The MVC is often crowded and has rules and regulations that can be difficult to navigate.
Here’s an outline of the basic steps you’ll need to follow to make it easier:
– Schedule an appointment at: https://telegov.njportal.com/njmvc/AppointmentWizard
– Bring the following to your appointment:
o Vehicle title (if you own the vehicle outright)
o Current driver’s license or another form of ID
o Insurance card (showing NJ coverage, company name, policy number, dates of coverage)
o Completed vehicle registration application form
§ This can be found at: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/vehicles/BA-49.pdf
o Power of attorney (if someone other than the purchaser is signing the documents)
o Dealer reassignment documentation (if applicable)
o Lienholder information and financing statement (if the vehicle is leased or financed)
o Completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (if you are transferring ownership and registration from another state)
§ This can be found at: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/about/ISM_SS-7.pdf
Depending on your situation, there are other documents that you may need. Take a look at the following list, and if any of these situations apply to you, gather the appropriate materials and bring them with you to your appointment.
o If the purchaser is a company or business, you must bring:
o The Motor Vehicle Commission EIN (Entity Identification Number)
o If you purchased your vehicle at auction and the vehicle is non-titled, you must bring:
o The last previously issued registration document
o A notarized bill of sale
o A pencil tracing or photograph of the VIN plate
o If you are transferring your vehicle from a state that issues titles, but the title has no NJ Dealer Tax Stamp, you must bring:
o A purchase order
o If transferred from a state that doesn’t issue titles, you must bring:
o A pencil tracing or photo of the VIN
o A notarized statement from the seller that includes the manufacturing year, make, VIN, and selling price
o The last vehicle registration card from the seller
After you provide all of this documentation, the MVC will calculate how much you owe.
How Much Will It Cost to Register a Vehicle in New Jersey?
There are various fees that you’ll need to cover to have your vehicle appropriately registered in the state of New Jersey. These include:
o Titling fee
o $60 for a standard vehicle
o $85 for a financed vehicle with one lien
o $110 for a financed vehicle with two liens
o Registration fee
o The payment fee for registration will vary depending on the type of vehicle. License plates are included.
o Sales tax fee
o Payment for the sales tax fee is calculated based on your total title and registration fees. If you need assistance with calculating the tax, please call the New Jersey Division of Taxation at 609-984-6206.
You have many choices for how you’d like to pay your registration fees. The NJ MVC accepts payment by:
o Credit card
o Check (payable to NJ MVC)
o Money order
o Cash
How Often Do I Need to Renew My Registration?
New Jersey currently requires cars to be registered every year, with the exception of new cars, which are registered for four years upon purchase.
This ensures that you pay the appropriate fees required for the privilege of driving in NJ. It also ensures that the state is always updated with correct contact information in case your car is in an altercation or accident.
If you don’t keep up with this, however, there are consequences.
Penalties for Not Having a Valid Registration
There are quite a few penalties that come from not having a valid vehicle registration. New Jersey gives fines for:
· No current registration (up to a $100 fine)
· Towing fees
· Storage expenses
· Late fees
· Past registration fees for expired years
You might be wondering how long you can drive without this valid registration before incurring these fines.
How Long Can I Drive without Registration?
Upon moving to New Jersey, you have 60 days (two months) to switch over your car’s old registration to NJ state.
If you don’t do this within 60 days, you could be at risk for a citation for driving without a valid registration. However, there are certain loopholes that can get you off the hook.
Defenses for Not Having a Valid Registration
If you are driving on an expired registration because you completely forgot about the expiration date, technically you were committing a crime that you didn’t have knowledge of! With the right attorney, you could get your charges reduced or dismissed.
You don’t need to accept a ticket or citation right off the bat. There are plenty of attorneys out there with the experience and expertise that can keep you from having to pay exorbitant fines.
Getting the Help You Need
If you’ve received a citation for driving in NJ without a valid registration, you have options! Hire an attorney through appwinit.com to fight your case.
The legal team at Win It will help guide you through the process of getting your registration citation revoked. We have saved our users over $50 million! Win It has been featured in The New York Times, New York Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, and on ABC7 News and Pix.
You’ll simply need to submit documentation, and then the team will review the evidence, possibly finding errors in your ticket. They’ll research and file the dispute, and you won’t have to worry anymore!
You’ll also get updates every step of the way so that you can have the peace of mind you deserve that your case is being handled with personal attention and care.
Every ticket turned into Win It comes with a risk-free guarantee. If your case isn’t dismissed, you aren’t charged a dime! Plus, when we do win your case, you only pay 50% of the fine. It’s a win-win when you use Win It to make your registration citations disappear.
