Bill Text: NJ A4631 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permits use of license plate frames that do not obscure numbers and letters on motor vehicle license plates; permits display of E-Z Pass, air freshener.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-10-22 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [A4631 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A4631-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman JOANN DOWNEY
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Permits use of license plate frames which do not obscure numbers and letters on motor vehicle license plates; permits display of E-Z Pass, air freshener.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning motor vehicles and amending R.S.39:3-33 and R.S.39:3-74.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:3-33 is amended to read as follows:
39:3-33. The owner of an automobile which is driven on the public highways of this State shall display not less than 12 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground in a horizontal position, and in such a way as not to swing, an identification mark or marks to be furnished by the [division] commission; provided, that if two marks are issued they shall be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that the rear identification mark may be displayed more than 48 inches from the ground on tank trucks, trailers, and other commercial vehicles carrying inflammable liquids and on sanitation vehicles which are used to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, solid wastes, and refuse. Motorcycles shall also display an identification mark or marks; provided, that if two marks are issued they shall be displayed on the front and rear of the motorcycle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the motorcycle.
The identification mark or marks shall contain the number of the registration certificate of the vehicle and shall be of such design and material as prescribed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1989, c.202 (C.39:3-33.9). All identification marks shall be kept clear and distinct and free from grease, dust, or other blurring matter, so as to be plainly visible at all times of the day and night.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle which has a license plate frame or identification marker holder that conceals or otherwise obscures any part of any marking imprinted upon the vehicle's registration plate or any part of any insert which the [director] chief administrator as hereinafter provided, issues to be inserted in and attached to that registration plate or marker. This provision shall not apply to any license plate frame or identification marker holder provided that the frame or holder does not conceal, obscure, or in any way encroach upon the registration numbers and letters set forth on the motor vehicle' s license plates.
The [director] chief administrator is authorized and empowered to issue registration plate inserts, to be inserted in and attached to the registration plates or markers described herein. They may be issued in the place of new registration plates or markers; and inscribed thereon, in numerals, shall be the year in which registration of the vehicle has been granted.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle the owner of which has not complied with the provisions of this subtitle concerning the proper registration and identification thereof, nor drive a motor vehicle which displays a fictitious number, or a number other than that designated for the motor vehicle in its registration certificate. During the period of time between the application for motor vehicle registration and the receipt of registration plates from the [division] commission, no person shall affix a plate or marker for the purpose of advertisement in the position on a motor vehicle normally reserved for the display of the registration plates required by this section if the plate or marker is designed with a combination of letters, numbers, colors, or words to resemble the registration plates required by this section.
A person convicted of displaying a fictitious number, as prohibited herein, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding [$500.00] $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days.
A person violating any other provision of this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding [$100.00] $100. In default of the payment thereof, there shall be imposed an imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 10 days. A person convicted of a second offense of the same violation may be fined in double the amount herein prescribed for the first offense and may, in default of the payment thereof, be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 20 days. These penalties shall not apply to the display of a fictitious number.
(cf: P.L.1989, c.202, s.1)
2. R.S.39:3-74 is amended to read as follows:
Every motor vehicle having a windshield shall be equipped with at least one device in good working order for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield so as to provide clear vision for the driver, and all such devices shall be so constructed and installed as to be operated or controlled by the driver.
No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, sticker or other non-transparent material upon the front windshield, wings, deflectors, side shields, corner lights adjoining windshield or front side windows of such vehicle other than an electronic toll collection device, a certificate or other article required to be so displayed by statute or by regulations of the commissioner. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of an air freshener that hangs from a rear view mirror.
No person shall drive any vehicle so constructed, equipped or loaded as to unduly interfere with the driver's vision to the front and to the sides.
(cf: R.S.39:3-74)
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the second month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill clarifies that the provision of law, which prohibits a license plate frame or identification marker holder that obscures or conceals part of a motor vehicle's license plate does not apply to license plate frames or holders which do not conceal, obscure, or in any way encroach upon the registration numbers and letters set forth on the motor vehicle's license plates.
This bill also clarifies that the provision of law, which prohibits a motor vehicle from having a non-transparent material upon the front windshield does not apply to an electronic toll collection device displayed on the front windshield or an air freshener hung from the rear view mirror.
