56:13-1  Definitions relative to operators engaged in repair or removal of inoperable, illegally parked vehicles.

1. As used in this act:

"Charge card" means a credit card on an account for which no periodic rate is used to compute a finance charge.

"Credit card" means any card, plate, coupon book, or other single credit device that may be used from time to time to obtain credit.

"Operator" means a person who engages in the business of transporting motor vehicles that are inoperable or parked illegally or otherwise without authorization from public or private property to a site where repairs may be made or the vehicle may be stored and who may also perform motor vehicle repairs.

L.2002, c.67, s.1; amended 2007, c.193, s.19.
 
56:13-2.  Operator's compliance with motorist's reasonable repair or transport request
2. An operator who either responds to a call for assistance from a motorist with an inoperable vehicle or who offers to transport or repair the vehicle of such a motorist shall comply with any reasonable request of the motorist either to repair the vehicle or to transport it to a site where the repair may be made.

L.2002,c.67,s.2.
 
56:13-3  Transport, repair; payment rights of operator, motorist.
 
3. If the operator cannot repair the inoperable vehicle to the satisfaction of the motorist he shall, with the motorist's consent, subject to the provisions of P.L.2007, c.193 (C.56:13-7 et al.), transport the vehicle to the operator's place of business or to another mutually agreed upon location. The vehicle, once repaired, may be retained in the possession of the operator or other repairer, as the case may be, pending payment, pursuant to N.J.S.2A:44-20 et seq.  The operator, if other than the repairer, shall be eligible for reimbursement for transporting the vehicle to the repair site. If the estimated cost of repairs exceeds $50, the motorist shall be given a written estimate of the repair costs.

L.2002, c.67, s.3; amended 2007, c.193, s.20.

56:13-4  Acceptability of payment; forms.
 
4. a. For services rendered, or to redeem a motor vehicle from storage, the operator shall accept in payment either cash, a check issued by an insurance company, a valid debit card, or a valid major credit card or charge card subject to the provisions of subsection b. of this section.

b. The operator may request additional identification, as determined by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, before proceeding with repairs or towing. Unless the motorist is unable to produce such identification, or the operator has a bona fide reason to believe the card or other identification is fictitious, altered, stolen, expired or revoked or not valid for any other cause or is clearly offered with intent to defraud the issuer, the debit card, charge card or credit card shall be deemed an acceptable form of payment in lieu of cash if the operator ordinarily accepts the card at his place of business. Nothing in this act shall preclude payment by a motorist in the form of check or money order, if this form of payment is acceptable to the operator.


L.2002, c.67, s.4; amended 2007, c.193, s.21.
 
56:13-5.  Violation, fine
5. A violation of this act shall be punishable by a fine of $500.  The second and any subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000.

L.2002,c.67,s.5.
 
56:13-6.  Rules, regulations
6. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

L.2002,c.67,s.6.