Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has given a favorable report to Senate Bill No. 1297, a progressive piece of legislation that paves the way for the digital transformation of driver’s licensing in the state. This bill mandates the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to develop and issue mobile driver’s licenses and mobile identification cards.
According to the bill, a mobile driver’s license will include all varieties of licenses currently issued in a physical format, such as a basic driver’s license, motorcycle license, and probationary driver’s license. These mobile licenses will be accessible on mobile electronic communication devices and will contain all the information found on the traditional printed, hard-copy versions. The MVC is also authorized to charge a reasonable fee for issuing these mobile documents.
A critical aspect of this initiative is ensuring the security and integrity of these digital licenses and identification cards. The bill requires the MVC to implement robust measures to prevent and detect any form of alteration, duplication, counterfeiting, photographing, forging, or other unauthorized modifications of these mobile documents.
Another innovative feature of the bill is that it allows individuals with mobile driver’s licenses or identification cards to update their motor vehicle records directly. Any changes made will immediately reflect in the person’s official motor vehicle record, superseding the information on the printed versions.
Furthermore, the bill recognizes mobile driver’s licenses as valid for driving within the state. It also stipulates that individuals can present their mobile licenses when requested by a police officer or judge.