Bill
Bill > A4158
NJ A4158
NJ A4158Prohibits use of license plate flipping device; increases penalty for displaying fictitious registration plate number in certain circumstances.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits the use of license plate flipping devices and increases the penalty for displaying a fictitious plate number if a flipping device was used. Current law provides that a person convicted of displaying a fictitious number on a motor vehicle registration plate, also referred to in statutory law as a license plate, is subject to a fine of up to $500 or a term of imprisonment of up to 60 days. The bill provides that a person convicted of displaying a fictitious number through the use of a license plate flipping device: (1) would be subject to a fine of up to $750, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, or both; (2) if the offense is committed in a residential district or school zone, would be subject to a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days, or both; and (3) if the offense is committed during or to aid in the commission of a crime, offense, or another violation under Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, would be subject to a fine of up to $1,500, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both. The bill defines a "license plate flipping device" as a device that enables a registration plate to be changed to another registration plate with different identification marks either manually or electronically. Under the bill, the term also includes technology that is capable of changing the appearance of a registration plate to appear as a different registration plate.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits the use of "license plate flipping devices," which are defined as mechanisms that allow a vehicle's registration plate (or license plate) to be manually or electronically changed to display different identification marks, or technology that can alter the appearance of a plate to look like a different one. It also increases the penalties for displaying a fictitious license plate number, meaning a plate that is not the one officially assigned to the vehicle. Specifically, if a fictitious plate is displayed using a license plate flipping device, the penalties are higher: up to a $750 fine and 60 days in jail; or up to a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail if committed in a residential district or school zone; or up to a $1,500 fine and 90 days in jail if committed during or to help commit another crime or violation under Title 39 of the Revised Statutes. For those convicted of displaying a fictitious plate without a flipping device, the existing penalty of up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail remains.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4158 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4158_I1.HTM |
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