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Bill > S3036


NJ S3036

NJ S3036
Clarifies procedures for restoration of driver's license after suspension or revocation; concerns waiver of penalties for operating vehicle while license is suspended or revoked under certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires certain drivers whose driver's licenses are suspended or revoked to receive notice and receipt of payment concerning license restoration, and concerns penalties for operating a vehicle while a person's license is suspended or revoked under certain circumstances. Current law provides that a person is required to act affirmatively in order to restore a suspended or revoked license by paying a restoration fee. A person who fails to pay the restoration fee will not have their license restored. When a driver has been issued an additional period of suspension for driving while suspended or revoked, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to provide notice: (1) of the period of the additional suspension or revocation term; (2) that the driver is required to pay the restoration fee once the period of suspension or revocation has ended; and (3) that the driver's license will remain suspended or revoked until the restoration fee is paid and any additional conditions ordered by the court for restoration of the driver's license or registration are satisfied. The bill further requires the chief administrator to provide a licensee with proof of payment of the restoration fee upon receipt of the payment. The proof of payment is required to include a disclaimer notifying a licensee that license restoration is subject to payment of the restoration fee and satisfaction of any conditions ordered by the court. Current law also provides that a person operating a vehicle while the person's license is suspended or revoked may incur penalties including additional suspensions, fines, and terms of imprisonment. Under the bill, the court would not be permitted to impose a term of imprisonment, fine, or period of suspension, or revocation for a violation of driving while suspended or revoked if: (1) the original period of suspension or revocation is complete; (2) the person has no other outstanding suspensions or revocations for which the period of suspension or revocation is incomplete or the restoration fee has not been paid; (3) the person does not have any unsatisfied conditions ordered by the court for restoration of the person's driver's license or registration; and (4) the person provides proof of payment of the restoration fee. Lastly, current law provides for extended terms of imprisonment for certain violations involving the operation of a motor vehicle when a driver's license or registration is suspended or revoked. This bill makes the imposition of an extended term discretionary in certain circumstances.

AI Summary

This bill clarifies the procedures for restoring a driver's license after it has been suspended or revoked, and modifies penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license under specific circumstances. The Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission will now be required to send written notice to drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked, informing them of the suspension period, the requirement to pay a restoration fee (a fee charged to reinstate a license), and that their license will remain suspended until the fee is paid and any court-ordered conditions for restoration are met. Upon receiving the restoration fee, the Chief Administrator must provide proof of payment, which will include a disclaimer stating that license restoration is contingent on paying the fee and fulfilling any court orders. Furthermore, the bill establishes conditions under which a court cannot impose penalties like imprisonment, fines, or further suspension for driving with a suspended or revoked license, provided the original suspension period is over, there are no other outstanding suspensions or unpaid restoration fees, all court-ordered restoration conditions are met, and proof of restoration fee payment is provided. Finally, the bill makes the imposition of extended prison terms for certain driving-while-suspended offenses discretionary in some situations.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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