SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1297

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 25, 2024

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1297.

      As reported, this bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to create and issue a mobile driver’s license and mobile identification card to an individual who requests such electronic documentation.  Under the bill, a mobile driver’s license includes a basic driver’s license, motorcycle license, and probationary driver’s license that is accessible on a mobile electronic communication device and includes all information found on a printed, hard-copy version.  The commission may charge and collect a reasonable fee for the issuance of a mobile driver’s license and mobile identification card.

     When issuing a mobile driver’s license and mobile identification card, the commission is required to prevent and detect the alteration, duplication, counterfeiting, photographing, forging, or other modification of the mobile driver’s license and mobile identification card.  The commission is also required to include features in the license and card to ensure the security and integrity of these documents.

     Under the bill, the commission is to allow a person with a mobile driver’s license or a mobile identification card, or a person applying for such documentation, to update the person’s motor vehicle record.  The changes are to immediately become part of the person’s official motor vehicle record and are to take precedence over information provided on the person’s printed, hard-copy driver’s license and identification card.

     The bill provides that a person may possess a mobile driver’s license when driving a motor vehicle in this State and may exhibit a mobile driver’s license when requested by a police officer or judge.

     This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.