E-Bike Woes in NJ

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I had both knees replaced (not at the same time) and purchased an ebike to assist pedaling for knee/leg strength and range of movement. I have my Hondas and BMW motorcycles if I want to go fast. If you follow NJ laws, they require 20 MPH ebikes to be registered, insured and riders have an operators license. The law was passed on January 19th , 2026 by our outgoing Governor Phil Murphy. Since the Motor Vehicles Commission was not prepared to register vehicles without VIN Numbers, they gave a grace period till July 1st, then July 19th.

So, Today at 12:30, I went, with a 2 o'clock appointment, to my local MVC site. I arrived at 1:00 o'clock. Waited an hour on line to get checked in. Given a number and told to wait outside until my number was called for the ID check (Line #2). At 3:45pm, a MVC employee came out and said they close at 4:30 pm and would not be able to service our request today. Sent us home with a pass to bypass the first line on another day.

There were people still arriving with 3:30 Appointments, that were turned away. Why have appointments if they mean nothing?

By the way, at 3:30, the check in line was 3 hours long. They close at 4:30.

There was a check in line, then another line for ID check, then another line for actual transactions.

A woman leaving at 3:45 waas asked by my fellow motorist what time was her appointment? She said 10:15 AM. For the same registration we were waiting for. Took her from 9:30 AM till #:445 PM to get registered, which in reality should take 15-20 minutes tops.

They said they can't handle the normal 500 people appointments completely normally, and with the ebike addition, they booked another 200 people. If you can't help 500 people, then 700 is not likely to be better service.

If this keeps up, I will not be able to ride in three weeks (legally) as the state cannot fulfill their own requirements. I am a little bit peeved.

Just needed to vent. I feel better already.

At

 

[stl360+450]

Sounds miserable for all involved.

 

[RobMan]

I had both knees replaced (not at the same time) and purchased an ebike to assist pedaling for knee/leg strength and range of movement. I have my Hondas and BMW motorcycles if I want to go fast. If you follow NJ laws, they require 20 MPH ebikes to be registered, insured and riders have an operators license. The law was passed on January 19th , 2026 by our outgoing Governor Phil Murphy. Since the Motor Vehicles Commission was not prepared to register vehicles without VIN Numbers, they gave a grace period till July 1st, then July 19th.

So, Today at 12:30, I went, with a 2 o'clock appointment, to my local MVC site. I arrived at 1:00 o'clock. Waited an hour on line to get checked in. Given a number and told to wait outside until my number was called for the ID check (Line #2). At 3:45pm, a MVC employee came out and said they close at 4:30 pm and would not be able to service our request today. Sent us home with a pass to bypass the first line on another day.

There were people still arriving with 3:30 Appointments, that were turned away. Why have appointments if they mean nothing?

By the way, at 3:30, the check in line was 3 hours long. They close at 4:30.

There was a check in line, then another line for ID check, then another line for actual transactions.

A woman leaving at 3:45 waas asked by my fellow motorist what time was her appointment? She said 10:15 AM. For the same registration we were waiting for. Took her from 9:30 AM till #:445 PM to get registered, which in reality should take 15-20 minutes tops.

They said they can't handle the normal 500 people appointments completely normally, and with the ebike addition, they booked another 200 people. If you can't help 500 people, then 700 is not likely to be better service.

If this keeps up, I will not be able to ride in three weeks (legally) as the state cannot fulfill their own requirements. I am a little bit peeved.

Just needed to vent. I feel better already.

At

The Real ID requirement has not helped lines at the DMV! My wife and I are flying to San Diego this summer for her class reunion and a family visit. Need to get the Real ID just to get on a plane which looks like it would be an all day trip to the DMV. Decided to go with the passport option instead. Filled out the forms, met a nice lady at the county Register of Deeds office for about an hour, wrote a check and two weeks later we have both the booklet and wallet size passports which meet the Real ID requirements. Other pluses are we are set to go on a trip overseas if we want and I can renew my current drivers license on line one more time which at my age may be all I need before I check out.

 

[Mydlyfkryzis]

The Real ID requirement has not helped lines at the DMV! My wife and I are flying to San Diego this summer for her class reunion and a family visit. Need to get the Real ID just to get on a plane which looks like it would be an all day trip to the DMV. Decided to go with the passport option instead. Filled out the forms, met a nice lady at the county Register of Deeds office for about an hour, wrote a check and two weeks later we have both the booklet and wallet size passports which meet the Real ID requirements. Other pluses are we are set to go on a trip overseas if we want and I can renew my current drivers license on line one more time which at my age may be all I need before I check out.

As long as it takes to get a passport, NJ has made it seem like the speed of light. In NJ, you have to make an appointment/reservation. However, MVC doesn't really use appointments like a doctor. It can takes weeks to get an appointment, then you get there and they don't get to you. In many cases, getting a passport is actually easier.

I already have a passport, so I am putting off realID until the lines are shorter. I am not flying much at all, so no hurry.

 

[ericfreeman]

I'm lucky to have had my motorcycle license for decades now but the tab fees have gotten ridiculous! Here in WA we voted a long time ago for $30 yearly registration tabs. My latest renewal was $88. Almost all in supplemental fees and charges. Pure State incompetence. Luckily my 5 bikes all have collector vehicle plates so no more yearly tabs.

 

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I've had a motorcycle license since 1972. The insurance is cheaper on my old bikes (1976 CB360t - $57 / year - 5x times minimum coverage). Registration is $65. In NJ, a Car or MC license is good. If you don't have either, than a Moped License is required, which is a written test and road test. Mostly for the under 17 crowd. In theory, they are supposed to let suspended car license people apply for and get a moped license. That remains to be proven.

 

[boddy]

In my neck of the woods we have this thing called no-fault insurance, meaning everybody pays for the few idiots on the road. A plate can cost you a small fortune if you are a new rider. This is the cost per year for a motorcycle over 400cc'


If you are a new rider and want one of those super bikes, be prepared to sell one of your organs to get a plate

 

[oldjeep]

Wow. In MN, I pay $25 a year registration per bike doesn't matter what the engine size is. The 150 Honda costs same as the 1300 Yamaha. The total insurance on all 5 is $238 a year.

 

[Tony Clifton]

In my neck of the woods we have this thing called no-fault insurance, meaning everybody pays for the few idiots on the road. A plate can cost you a small fortune if you are a new rider. This is the cost per year for a motorcycle over 400cc'

"Freedom" is a tortured word but at least in Washington state I feel fortunate that the gub'mint has been hands-off our vintage motorcycles, largely.

The state just made it mandatory to carry basic liability insurance for vintage motorcycles, I pay $200/yr combined for five vintage and one "modern" 2003 offroad bike, and have for years though not required because it was so cheap. Until Jan. 1 of this year, there was NO insurance requirement for vintage motorcycles, think about that

Never any safety inspections, never ever, Washington figures if you ride something unsafe it's YOU most likely to suffer I guess. Same for all cars...no "safety" inspections, get that outta here...ancient clunkers with primered/missing body parts are perfectly fine if your registration is in proper order

 

[Blarfnugle]

I feel you, I'm restoring my moto guzzi robin moped and I'm dreading getting it registered. Oh well, there's always something else I can fix before I'll feel it's ready.

 

[boddy]

Luckily I'm in the "experienced" category with over 5 years riding (actually since 1965) and get the reduced rate of $607 per year for my plate - you have to love riding motorcycles. Don't know how the younger riders manage

 

[The Lloyd]

Where I live, we are switching to no-fault insurance next year, Jan 1, 2027, and have been told by the government it will save us money. However the insurance companies have been warning us to expect a year two sticker shock as rates will sky rocket in 2028.

Add to that most (if not all) insurance companies are getting out of the motorcycle insurance business, I had to find a new company to insure my bikes this year as the one that I have been dealing with for 30+ years, all claim free, decided to drop motorcycles.

hearing horror stories from new riders facing $3,000 to $4,000 a year rates, i can’t imagine paying that per bike, I pay $240 per year. Which used to be $70 in 2019.