Vehicle Information

Title, Registration, Plates, Inspection, Insurance

Title: Buying a Used Car• Complete reverse side:

– Buyer’s name, address

– Seller’s Signature (sign in front of buyer)

– The date of sale

– Odometer Reading (check it yourself)

– Sale price

– VIN: Vehicle Identification Number

Title• Present:

– Signed title

– Sales tax form

– Sales tax fee or proof of sale tax payment (7%)

– Pay titling fee

Title• Keep it in a safe place.

• You need it to sell a car

• Must be transferred within 10 days of purchase. Penalty $25 fine.

• Loan/Lease: bank holds the title until the loan/lease is paid off

Step to register a carInitial Registration

1. Application

2. Title (proof of ownership) (Leased vehicle: power of attorney from the leasing company)

3. Proof of Insurance: Company name and policy number

4. Proof sales tax paid. (7%)

5. Driver’s license

• Registration is issued for 1 year

• Check for errors before leaving MVC.

Registration

• Must be at least 17 years old to register a car in NJ.

• The registration must be with the car when you or someone else is driving your car. Fine: $173.

• Renewal yearly. Brand-new car: Initial registration: 4 years, then yearly.

• Renew by mail or on-line. Renewal notices sent home about 2 months in advance. If doesn’t arrive, renew at MVC in person.

Registration

• Duplicates available for additional fee.• Motorists may also order specialty license

plates on line when renewing registration.

• Change of address within NJ: 1 week• Change of name: 2 weeks.• Move into NJ: 60 days to title and register.

License Plates

2 total: 1 in front & 1 in rear; 12 – 48” from ground, clean and visable.

Rear plate must be lit at night (and visible from 50’.)

If lost or stolen: report to police, retain copy of complaint, replace within 24 hours at MVC.

License plate covers or holders that obscure or conceal any lettering on the plate is a violation with a fine up to $100.

Buy Another Car

• You may transfer plates from one car to another (same class) after registering the car.

• No need for plates: Turn into MVC and get a receipt. Keep receipt in a safe place.

Forged or Counterfeit Plates

• Fine up to $500

• DLS up to 6 months

• Jail up to 60 days

For emissions only: to comply with federal Clean Air Act standards based on year, make and model of the vehicle.

Inspection: Effective August 1, 2010

Elimination of the mechanical defects (safety) portion of the inspection process for passenger vehicles.

Responsibility will be on the owner that the vehicle meets all standards: brake suspension, steering, wheel alignment and safety features (headlights, tail lights, tires, horn, windshield wipers and turn signals).

Inspection: Effective August 1, 2010

Inspections can take place at a state or a private inspection facility (garage).

Inspection

Documents needed to have vehicle inspected:

License

Registration

Insurance

New cars do not require inspection for 4 years.

All other cars:

inspected every 2 years.

Inspection

Failure: Have to the end of the following

month from when it was due.

EXAMPLE

• Due in March

• Bring for inspection March 1st

• Fail

• Have until the end of April to have it re-inspected

Move into NJ, you have 14 days after registering your car to have it inspected.

Inspection

Driving with an Expired Inspection Sticker

• Fine: $100-$200

• Jail up to 30 days

• Registration may be revoked.

Insurance• Liability Insurance is mandatory in

NJ.

• Driving without a valid insurance card:

–Fine

–DLS

–Community Service

–Insurance surcharge

Inspection Tips