I've got a hypothetical question (at this stage). What are the rules for NJ regarding car registration particularly for a car that will be garaged 8 months of the year outside the state? Do I need to get local plates, or can I keep the out of state plates on it?
With my cars that I moved from NY to CA, I'm waiting for the NYS Registration and/or inspection to expire. Then, I'll get a local registration and inspection. Is this a car you're bringin in to the US or a car with US registration in another state? You can drive in the US with International registration provided you have proper insurance...
No, the cars are already stateside. I'm just going to keep them 8-9 months a year at my place in TN and rotate one out ever so often.
I actually know the answer to this one, apparently if the car is now in NY you have 5 months to register it in NY. I found this out while fighting a ticket, i heard the judge tell the guy that went before me. Of course if no one notices............
Actually the law is sort of vague, as it's written: "If a vehicle is normally parked in the stated for a period of 5 or mor consecutive months..." That's a hell of a thing to have to prove on the part of the court -- which is why I go with the, "when it expires..." rule.
Technically, if you reside in NJ and you own the car, it is supposed to be registered in NJ within 14 days of the date you move into the state. Same is true for lease cars also where the lease is in your name. Now, as a practical matter, will you get caught if you don't? Probably not. However, you do have to have a current registration for the car, no matter what state it's in. If you have a Jersey drivers license and the car is registered out of state, you'll have a problem if you get stopped. Also, you may have a problem with your insurance company if you have it insured in TN, but it's living most of the year in NJ, should you have a reason to need them. BTW, if you are running your car less than 3000 miles/year, NJ has a "collector car" registration that's available. No inspection requirement. You simply go to the inspection station, they check to be sure your odometer is working and record the mileage, put a collector car inspection sticker on, and off you go. Good for 2 years. Just a thought.
