Torrissi, Umba introduce bill to eliminate motor vehicle fees for medical suspensions

TRENTON – New Jersey residents are suffering from hidden fees brought on by medical conditions that extend far beyond the doctor’s office.

Assemblymen Michael Torrissi and Brandon Umba introduced legislation to end a hidden New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles practice that charges people $100 to restore their driver’s license after a medical suspension.

“We live in a state filled with unnecessary fees, fines and regulations, but this one might just take the cake,” said Torrissi (R-Atlantic). “A restoration fee for medical suspensions should not exist. In no world should someone who suffers from a mental or physical condition be made to pay $100 to drive again if they are cleared from that condition.”

The issue was brought to light by a constituent who suffers from epilepsy. The constituent reached out to Torrissi and Umba’s 8th District Office saying that her license was suspended after having epileptic attacks. Some time later, she got on the appropriate medication and was cleared to drive by doctors and the state. Unfortunately, she had to pay the same $100 restoration fee that people must pay if they lose their license through criminal acts, such as driving while intoxicated.

“It’s understandable to have to pay a debt to society if you break the law, but to have to pay $100 to have your licensed restored after overcoming a mental or physical condition is wrong. It’s time to end this,” said Umba (R-Burlington).

Currently, the Department of Motor Vehicles has the authority to charge a $100 fee for the restoration of any license which has been suspended or revoked, regardless of the reason. The bill would waive the restoration fee for any license that was suspended due to a mental or physical condition that compromised the driver to safely operate a motor vehicle.

The legislation, A290, is awaiting a vote in the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.