Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would allow service members, who are not state residents, to legally operate motor vehicles in New Jersey without needing to obtain a state driver’s license was signed into law by Acting Governor Sheila Oliver.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado that would allow service members, who are not state residents, to legally operate motor vehicles in New Jersey without a state driver’s license was signed into law. (©iStock)

“I am extremely pleased that this bill was signed into law. When members of the Armed Forces receive their Permanent Change of Station orders every two or three years, service members and their families are tasked with moving to one of several military installations across the country,” said Corrado (R-40). “When arriving to a new base, military families often question whether or not a new driver’s license must be obtained for the state they are in. Some states, such as Florida and Maryland, allow service members to drive with a valid out-of-state license. Unfortunately, New Jersey did not permit this. This new law will rectify that, and make it much easier for our service members and their spouses to legally drive a vehicle in this state without worrying about excessive government red tape.”

Previously, when individuals moved to New Jersey, they were required to transfer their out-of-state license and vehicle title/registration within 60 days of their move (120 days during a Public Health Emergency), or before their current license and vehicle registration expired.

Corrado’s legislation, S-152/A-325, authorizes a member of the Armed Forces who is not a state resident, along with the member’s spouse and dependents, to operate a motor vehicle on the public roadways of this state without needing to obtain a driver’s license in New Jersey—as long as the person already possess a valid driver’s license issued by their state of residence.