Dear Legislators and Governor Murphy –

We the undersigned immigrant, faith, labor, advocacy and grassroots organizations, support access to driver’s licenses to all New Jerseyans.

New Jersey will join 12 other states and the District of Columbia in licensing all safe and insured drivers who reside in our state, regardless of status. In addition to being a common-sense policy that ensures privacy protections, passing the bill will yield a range of tangible benefits for all New Jerseyans, including:

Safer Roads

Based on the experience of states with similar laws, increasing the percentage of drivers who have learned state traffic laws, passed a driving test, and taken out car insurance coverage will likely reduce the number of traffic accidents on New Jersey roads. There is a compelling public safety argument to be made for allowing undocumented residents to obtain driver's licenses.

More Insured Drivers and Lower Car Insurance Premiums

New Jersey would see about $209 million in new insurance payments. New Jersey has the nation’s most expensive automobile insurance, with an average cost of $1,184 that greatly exceeds the national average of $797. A larger pool of licensed and insured motorists should help to lower costs to car insurance providers and allow for reduced car insurance premiums for drivers across the state.

Economic Benefits 

Allowing all New Jerseyans, regardless of status, to drive legally would help New Jersey’s economy by increasing state revenues. Depending on the license fee set for these newly eligible applicants, New Jersey could expect anywhere between $5.2 million and $11.1 million in new revenue from these fees. In addition, a larger pool of New Jersey residents should be able to increase their purchasing power through increased access to better-paying jobs.

Allowing all residents, regardless of status, to be tested, licensed and insured would create a safer New Jersey and allow its residents to engage more in the economic, social and cultural life of the state. For these reasons, we urge you to support legislation to expand access to driver licenses to all New Jerseyans.

Respectfully,

NJAIJ Member Organizations:

1199SEIU
32BJ SEIU
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
American Friends Service Committee
Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Casa Freehold
Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen
Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton
Central Unitarian Church of Paramus - Social Action Committee
Centro Comunitario CEUS
Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War
Community of Friends in Action
Drug Policy Alliance
El Centro Hispanoamericano
Faith in New Jersey
First Friends NJ & NY
Haiti Solidarity Network of the North East
Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey
Hudson Civic Action
Ironbound Community Corp.
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Latino Action Network
Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund (LALDEF)
New Jersey Institute of Social Justice
Make the Road New Jersey
New Jersey Communities United
New Jersey Policy Perspective
New Labor
New Jersey Working Families
OASIS
The Social Responsibilities Council of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc.
UU Faith Action NJ
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Wind of the Spirit

Other Supporters:

Angel for Action Inc.
Garden State Equality
Long Valley Indivisible
Veteran’s for American Ideals
Fair & Welcoming Coalition of Mercer County
People Power Somerset NJ
Central Jersey Democratic Socialists
SOMA Action
Blue Wave NJ
Fair and Welcoming Communities Coalition of Somerset County
Union County Young Democrats
Glen Rock People Power
NJ-08 for Progress
Force the Issue NJ
Not In Our Town Princeton (NiOT)
Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Greater Red Bank Women’s Initiative

South Jersey Women for Progressive Change

Salvation and Social Justice

CAIR New Jersey – Council on American-Islamic Relations