Chapter 10: Your Vehicle

A driver’s responsibility extends beyond their actions behind the wheel; it includes the legal and mechanical condition of their vehicle. Ensuring a car is properly titled, registered, insured, and maintained is a legal requirement and a fundamental component of road safety. A well-maintained vehicle is predictable and reliable, while a poorly maintained one can be a hazard to the driver and everyone else on the road.

Title, Registration, and Insurance

Before a vehicle can be legally driven on New Jersey’s public roads, the owner must complete several critical legal steps. These documents prove ownership and provide financial protection in the event of a crash.

• Vehicle Title and Registration:
  • A Certificate of Title is a legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. When a vehicle is bought, the title is transferred to the new owner.
  • Registration is the process of officially recording the vehicle with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). A valid registration card must be kept in the vehicle at all times. An initial registration for a brand-new vehicle is valid for four years, while most other registrations are renewed annually.
• License Plates: Upon registering a vehicle, a motorist will receive two matching license plates. One plate must be attached to the front of the vehicle and the other to the rear. They must be clean and visible, and the rear plate must be illuminated so it is readable from 50 feet away at night. Using license plate covers or holders that obscure any lettering is a violation subject to a fine of up to $100. When a motorist sells a vehicle and does not transfer the plates, they must be surrendered to the MVC.

Common Mistake:
Forgetting to surrender old license plates after selling a vehicle is a frequent error. If the plates are not turned in, the original owner could be held responsible for any tickets or violations associated with those plates.

Mandatory Insurance: New Jersey law requires every vehicle registered in the state to have liability insurance. This provides financial protection for damages or injuries the driver may cause to others. An insurance identification card must be kept in the vehicle and shown prior to inspection, when involved in a crash, or when stopped by law enforcement.