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Turner Package Of Driver’s License Suspension Reforms Signed Into Law

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner welcomed the Governor’s signature yesterday of her package of bills that will implement several of the recommendations of the Motor Vehicle Affordability and Fairness Task Force aimed at making it easier for individuals with driver’s license suspensions to get their driving privileges reinstated.

“In New Jersey, driving is a necessity, not a luxury,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “For many New Jerseyans, the loss of their driver’s license can equate with the loss of their job and their ability to support their families.”

As part of the Senator’s package, the Governor signed bill S-2326, which will provide judges or the MVC with the option to suspend an individual’s vehicle registration rather than driver’s license if the person has not answered or appeared in response to a failure to appear notice or has not satisfied outstanding parking fines or penalties.

“For those individuals whose livelihood comes from sitting behind the wheel of a company-owned car or truck, this is a crucial change. It penalizes the driver by taking away personal driving privileges but still allows them to go about their daily work,” explained Senator Turner.

Senator Turner added, “Even if the job doesn’t involve operating a motor vehicle, employers will ask applicants if they have a driver’s license. Finding alternatives to license suspensions help to alleviate another barrier many face when trying to enter the workforce.”

Two of the signed bills were aimed at making it easier for individuals to pay outstanding fines and surcharges and get their license reinstated because of a failure to pay such fees. S-2331 will modify the Motor Vehicle Commission’s (MVC) license surcharge repayment program to require only 5% of each surcharge be paid before a license suspension can be lifted and allow payment plans of up to 36 months. S-2332 will allow judges to work out payment plans for motor vehicle fines and fees for drivers who can show that they meet certain financial hardship criteria and waive up to $200 dollars of any non-DUI fine owed by such an individual and replace it with community service

“When many suspensions are the result of individuals not having the money to pay fines and fees or buy insurance, it makes absolutely no sense to take away their means of getting to the job they need to afford those costs,” added Senator Turner. “Too often these situations spiral out of control without a real solution. These proposals are the solutions.”

The Governor also signed S-2329, which would require the MVC establish within six months a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the importance of maintaining a current address with the Commission.

These changes to the law are part of a larger effort by Senator Turner to enable individuals to keep their driver’s licenses so they can continue to drive to work, apply for jobs that require a valid driver’s license, and earn an income while ensuring the State receives the money that is owed from these penalties and fines.

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