Unregistered vehicles are not permitted anywhere on a residential property unless in an enclosed structure, such as a garage.

In New Jersey, whether you can park an unregistered car in your driveway depends entirely on local municipal ordinances, as there is no single statewide law that prohibits it on private property. However, many towns have "junk vehicle" or "property maintenance" codes that forbid the outdoor storage of vehicles that are not currently registered, insured, or in "operable" condition. In many NJ suburbs, if a car lacks a valid registration tag, it can be deemed a "public nuisance" or an eyesore, leading to fines from the town's code enforcement officer. To stay safe in 2026, the best strategy is to keep the vehicle in a garage if possible, or at the very least, use a high-quality, professional car cover so the lack of tags is not visible from the street. If the car is visible and unregistered, your neighbors may report it, and the police or code enforcement could issue a summons. Always call your local town hall or check their online code book to confirm the specific rules for your neighborhood before letting an unregistered project car sit in the open.