In New Jersey, the primary statute governing the operation of an unregistered vehicle is N.J.S.A. 39:3-4. This law mandates that every motor vehicle driven on public highways must be properly registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Operating a vehicle with an expired or non-existent registration is a traffic offense that typically carries a fine of up to $100. More importantly, under N.J.S.A. 39:3-26.3, police officers have the legal authority to impound and remove an unregistered vehicle from the roadway immediately. If your car is towed, you will be responsible for the fine, the towing fees, and daily storage costs, which can quickly exceed several hundred dollars. Additionally, if you have recently moved to New Jersey, you are legally required to transfer your registration within 60 days (or sooner if your out-of-state tags expire). While a first-time offense for a recently expired registration might sometimes result in a "fix-it" ticket if you show proof of renewal in court, the statute grants the police broad discretion to seize the vehicle to ensure that all cars on the road meet the state's insurance and safety requirements.