Historic Bill to Expand Driver鈥檚 Licenses Passes Legislature, Moves to Governor鈥檚 Desk
Licenses bill, A4743/S3229, passed in both the Assembly and the Senate, now awaits Governor鈥檚 signature
TRENTON 鈥� A bill to expand access to driver鈥檚 licenses in New Jersey passed through both the Assembly and the Senate today and now moves to Governor Phil Murphy鈥檚 desk. The bill, A4743/S3229, expands access to driver鈥檚 licenses to all who are qualified.
鈥淭he people of New Jersey made history today, and our state will be stronger once this common-sense reform becomes a reality,鈥� said ACLU-NJ Senior Staff Attorney Farrin Anello. 鈥淓xpanding driver鈥檚 license access to every qualified person strengthens public safety, bolsters our economy, and, most importantly, treats all New Jersey residents with dignity and respect. When all drivers in New Jersey are licensed and insured, everyone benefits. We are grateful to the bill鈥檚 prime sponsors Assemblymembers Quijano, Mukherji, Schaer, Johnson, Vanieri Huttle, and Danielson; Senators Vitale, Cryan, Ruiz, Cruz-Perez, and Pou; and Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin for their leadership and determination in driving A4743/S3229 to the finish line.鈥�
Expanding access to licenses increases opportunities for New Jerseyans by ensuring that all qualified drivers are tested and insured regardless of age, gender identity, or immigration status.
鈥淭his legislation is a landmark change in the name of safety and equality, and it will broaden opportunities for all people to participate in their communities and live their lives,鈥� said ACLU-NJ Campaign Strategist Alejandra Sorto. 鈥淭hank you to the activists, the advocates, the community leaders, and the fearless New Jerseyans who have worked tirelessly for years to make sure the Garden State is a fairer, safer place for all.鈥�
Estimates project that expanding access to driver鈥檚 licenses would ultimately generate more than $90 million annually to benefit the New Jersey economy once implemented. Expanding access to driver鈥檚 licenses to all who are qualified would allow over 700,000 more New Jersey residents to access driver鈥檚 licenses and state ID cards.
鈥淣ew Jersey has made a statement to the rest of the country that we value dignity, demand equality, and work to make sure that our state includes opportunities for everyone to succeed and thrive,鈥� said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. 鈥淲e hope Governor Murphy will continue our effort to make a safer, more just New Jersey by signing A4743/S3229 into law.鈥�