Requires sellers of used motor vehicles to complete and submit form.
Impact
Currently, under existing law, the only notification of a vehicle sale to the MVC occurs when the purchaser registers the vehicle after presenting a signed title. A limitation of this system is that if a vehicle is sold but remains unregistered, any subsequent offenses or charges (like parking tickets or towing costs) are still attributed to the seller, the last recorded owner. A2945 addresses this oversight by establishing a formal process that sellers must follow, thereby clarifying their responsibilities and potential liabilities.
Summary
Assembly Bill A2945 requires sellers of used motor vehicles to notify the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) upon the sale of a vehicle by completing and submitting a specified form. This form, to be developed by the chief administrator, must include relevant personal details about both the seller and the purchaser, such as addresses, social security numbers, and vehicle identification numbers. This notification process aims to protect sellers from being held liable for fines, penalties, and other charges incurred by the vehicle after sale, particularly if the new purchaser fails to register the vehicle with the MVC.
Contention
While this bill is designed to streamline the notification process and safeguard sellers, potential concerns have been raised regarding the additional administrative burden on both sellers and the MVC. There's a need for a public education campaign to ensure that sellers are aware of and understand their obligations under this new requirement. This could be crucial to ensure compliance and mitigate the risks of liability. The added burden of completing the form may also deter some individual sellers in the private market from participating in vehicle sales, which could impact the local used car market.
Definitions and registration requirements for motorized bicycles and motorcycles powered by electric motors modified, sellers required to have a dealer license, certain vehicles prohibited from using public roads, and money appropriated.
Requires MVC to administer electronic transaction system for used motor vehicle sales within certain time period; authorizes use of same system for private motor vehicle sales.
A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle dealers, including rights to certain vehicles, records storage requirements, and remote sales of motor vehicles.(Formerly SSB 3126.)