Bill > S1170

Introduced Session

This bill would clarify the procedures involved in restoring a person's driving privileges once the person's drivers' license has been suspended or revoked. In addition, the court would be required to waive the imposition of a term of imprisonment under certain circumstances. Currently, a person must affirmatively act to restore his license by paying the restoration fee in order for the person to avoid incurring any additional fines, suspension periods or imprisonment. This bill would not alter this responsibility on the part of the driver, but instead would provide adequate notice to the driver of his responsibility to pay the restoration fee once the period of suspension has ended. It is the sponsor's intent that providing motorists with proper notification of their responsibilities would resolve confusion on the part of some motorists who believe that their driving privileges are automatically restored once the suspension or revocation period has ended. Under the provisions of the bill, the chief administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission would be required to provide written notification to the licensee of the period of suspension or revocation. The chief administrator would also provide notification to the licensee that the period of suspension or revocation would remain in effect until the licensee pays the restoration fee pursuant to section 23 of P.L.1975, c.180 (C.39:3-10a). Upon receipt of payment of the restoration fee the chief administrator would then provide the licensee with proof of payment. It may be beneficial for the driver to retain the proof of payment in the event he is stopped by a police officer and there is inconsistency because the system has not been updated. In addition, this bill would also require the court to waive the imposition of any term of imprisonment for those persons who have completed the period of license suspension and have paid the restoration fees.

Committee Categories

Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/03/2020)

Official Document