TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s bill that permits drivers to use electronic proof of vehicle registration passed the Assembly Thursday. It now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Currently, drivers in New Jersey must show paper proof of vehicle registration.
“For years New Jersey drivers have been allowed to show an electronic proof of insurance, as have most drivers around the country,” DeCroce (R-Morris). “With the ubiquity of smart phones, as well as other mobile devices, it’s practical to let drivers retrieve an electronic copy to show law enforcement or any other authority that may need to see it.”
Once signed into law, drivers can photograph their state-issued vehicle registrations and show a stored copy when required. The bill (A3533) gives the Motor Vehicle Commission 18 months from the time signed to design and issue fraud- and counterfeit-proof electronic registration certificates, at which time photographed paper registrations will be invalid.
Only two other states—Michigan and Tennessee— now allow drivers to show electronic proof of vehicle registration.
“No one wants to ever be in a position not to have their registration on them. It’s stressful enough getting pulled over without having to dig through the glove box looking for paperwork you throw in there and then forget about,” DeCroce added. “Using technology to ease one part of the process is a small win for drivers.”
The Senate passed the bill in March 2020.