Imposes a penalty for displaying illegal plates on a motor vehicle that was seized by the sheriff or marshal of the city of New York

3 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Bill Perkins

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to imposing a penalty for illegally displaying an improper number plate on a vehicle that was seized by the sheriff or marshal of the city of New York

Summary of provisions

This bill amends section 4Q2 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision 9, which provides that the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer that has been seized by the sheriff or marshal of the city of New York, where such vehicle or trailer displays an improper license plate. shall be assessed a penalty of $200. in addition to any other required charges and expenses relating to the seizure, in order to redeem his or her vehicle or trailer.

Justification

It has been found that owners of vehicles who have accumulated unpaid parking violations in amounts that subject the vehicle to towing and impounding avoid paying unpaid parking violations by demonstrating that the towed vehicle is not assigned to that license plate number. While owners are essentially admitting that they violated section 402 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by using an improper license plate, they do not have to pay the unpaid parking violations associated with that license plate prior to redeeming the seized vehicle. Moreover, the Department of Finance has no authority to penalize the owner for displaying an improper license plate. This bill would amend Section 402 of the vehicle and Traffic Law to allow the Department of Finance to assess a $200 penalty to owners who display an improper license plate on their vehicle.

Legislative history

A.11828/08 Ref. to Transportation

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, except that section two of this act shall take effect 30 days after it shall have become law.