Assemblywoman Downey Bill to Give Residents More Time to Pay Parking Fines before License Suspension Now Law

Legislation sponsored by Monmouth County Assemblywoman Joann Downey to ensure that motorists at risk of having their driver's licenses suspended due to unpaid parking tickets receive proper notice and are afforded sufficient time to rectify the situation has been signed into law.

Under current law, the recipient of a parking ticket may choose to pay the penalty within a specified time frame or appear at the assigned court date denoted on the ticket, during which he or she may contest the penalty. If the motorist does neither, the municipal court must notify the Motor Vehicle Commission, which then may immediately suspend the motorist's license.

The law (A-2087) requires the MVC to delay the license suspension and provide written notice to the driver that his or her license will be suspended 30 days from the date on which MVC mailed the notice. Under the law, a court may permit payment alternatives based on a motorist's ability to pay, such as payment in installments, community service or a lesser total penalty. It also allows individuals who have paid fines or penalties electronically prior to receipt of a suspension notice to submit proof of the electronic payment to the court, which then would notify the MVC.

"In certain regions of the state, driving is the only viable option for getting to work, school, a doctor's appointment or anywhere else from day to day. A license suspension, therefore, can have a real negative impact on someone's quality of life," said Downey (D-Monmouth). "Of course, there have to be consequences for violating laws regarding parking, but, particularly for a relatively minor infraction, we must be mindful about how they're enforced."