What to Do If You Have Not Received Your Registration Sticker in New Jersey
New Jersey residents with a registration sticker not received after a request for the documentation will need to learn why they never obtained the tag. When a car sticker is not received by drivers, it may mean that their registration is not complete or valid.
It is important that you not only request a DMV sticker replacement for your registration decal and documents but that you familiarize yourself with the reason that your registration may not have been received. By doing so, you can avoid common mistakes regarding missing car tag sticker, including incorrect addresses and incomplete applications. Additionally, it is important to learn about the additional steps that you should take if you feel that your registration decals may have been stolen by another individual.
A DMV sticker not received after your initial registration for a vehicle request can result in penalties. Likewise, drivers must perform a registration renewal when required and request a DMV registration sticker replacement if it goes missing or becomes damaged, as dictated by state law. It is important that you request a replacement right away in order to uphold New Jersey law, as you cannot legally operate a motor vehicle without proof of insurance. Should you choose to do so, you could face severe legal consequences including steep fines and traffic citations.
Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in New Jersey
If your NJ license plate sticker is not received, then it is important to know that a lost registration can be due to a number of factors. For example, a car tag sticker may be lost if you have not informed the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission of a change to your address. Contrary to common myth, it is not enough to change your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS). This is due to the fact that USPS will not forward state-mail documents and notifications regarding registration, titles, drivers licenses and more.
Another possibility for a license plate sticker not received concerns human and technical errors, including incorrect or incomplete applications and technical difficulties when the DMV processed your registration request. While uncommon, registration documents or decals may also be stolen or they may be lost in the mail.
Can I legally drive if my New Jersey registration sticker was not received?
If your license sticker is not received, then it is important to know that you can still operate your vehicle as long as you have proof of your registration within your vehicle. It is still important to request a car tag sticker replacement right away, as you may be stopped by law enforcement. However, you will not be issued a citation so long as you have that proof of registration and you are in the process of obtaining a duplicate registration decal.
Additional Consequences of a Car Sticker Not Received in New Jersey
A DMV registration sticker is required in the state of New Jersey. However, so long as you have proof of your registration within your vehicle, you are legally allowed to operate the vehicle while you are obtaining your duplicate registration decals. This means that even if a license sticker is not received by a driver renewing registration, he or she may still operate the vehicle with evidence that the automobile registration.
However, should you choose to operate a vehicle without proof of insurance, you could potentially face severe consequences. Law enforcement officers may issue citations, require that you appear in court to provide proof of registration and your vehicle could be impounded. It is also worth knowing that, without a valid registration decal or New Jersey license plates, you may still be pulled over by law enforcement officials.
Steps to Take If Your New Jersey DMV Sticker Was Not Received
If your New Jersey registration sticker not received, then it is important that you take steps to ensure that your request for duplicate registration is not denied or lost. Among the various requirements for this procedure, be mindful that you must pay for a $5 replacement registration fee. Moreover, one of the first steps that you should take when a DMV registration sticker not received is to contact the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission by phone or in person and verify that the state has your correct address on file. It is also important that you check whether or not your previous registration request was ever processed.
If your DMV registration sticker may have been stolen, then it is important that you file a police report at your local police station. While not legally obligated to do so, you can make law enforcement aware of the potential theft and prevent another individual from using your registration.
Alternately, you can perform a car plate sticker renewal rather than requesting a replacement if you are nearing the expiration date of your current registration. This can save you both time and money in the long run. If you request a duplicate registration when your renewal is already upcoming, then you will need to complete both processes.
Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in New Jersey
The method of ordering a DMV sticker replacement in New Jersey differs depending on whether or not your vehicle has a current lender or lien listed on the vehicle’s title. You cannot replace sticker online if you do not have a lender. Instead, you must visit your local motor vehicle agency in person and provide proof of insurance, proof of identity and a nominal fee. Fortunately, duplicate registration stickers and documents can be issued the same day in which you apply for them.
You cannot apply for a registration sticker online if you have a lender either, as you will be required to perform additional steps. In the state of New Jersey, drivers with a license sticker not received will be required to contact their leasing company and obtain a power of attorney before a duplicate registration can be issued. This document must include your name, a statement authorizing you to sign a duplicate registration application and your vehicle’s information such as the VIN number, year, make and model.
Sources
- Replacing A Lost Vehicle Registration from NJ.us