TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer, Hunterdon) that would require the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) give individuals the option of a monthly payment plan for motor vehicle violations upon request cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today.
“These payments can create an unnecessary hardship for some drivers, even resulting in some losing their driving privileges. Paying for driving violations should not be about bankrupting people. Creating a payment plan to make it easier for individuals to pay, and pay in full, is simply the decent thing to do,” said Turner.
The bill, S3059, would require the MVC to enter into a monthly installment payment plan for motor vehicle surcharges upon the written request of a driver with outstanding surcharges. The MVC can currently deny someone the request to pay in monthly installments. This legislation would prohibit them from denying anyone that option.
In addition, the bill would also extend the time period for monthly installment payments to four years for fines under $2,300, or no more then six years for fines of $2,300 or more. Currently, fines under $2,300 must be paid within one year and fines over $2,300 must be paid within two years.
The legislation now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
