Zombie Speeding Ticket from 1991 Prevents Man from Renewing Driver’s License

Flemington, NJ – James Tubman, a resident of Flemington, New Jersey, recently encountered an unexpected hurdle while renewing his driver’s license. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) denied his renewal application due to an unresolved speeding ticket from 1991 issued in Arizona. This decades-old citation, unearthed through the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), required Tubman to resolve the matter before proceeding.

The Notification and the PDPS System

On April 23, Tubman received a letter from the MVC informing him that his driver record matched an entry in the PDPS. This national database tracks individuals with suspensions or sanctions in other states. According to the letter, Tubman had 30 days to resolve the matter with Arizona, either by obtaining a “no match letter” or a clearance letter confirming the violation had been addressed.

Also Read: New Jersey Traffic – Guide for New Jerseyans

Recalling the Incident

Tubman vividly remembered the speeding violation. In 1991, during the last days of a vacation in Tombstone, Arizona, he was driving to Scottsdale when he encountered a “speed trap” on I-10. He was pulled over shortly after passing a slow-moving vehicle. At the time, Tubman’s late wife handled the family’s finances, and he was unsure if the ticket had ever been paid.

Despite renewing his license multiple times in the years since, this ticket had never surfaced—until now.

A Complicated Resolution Process

Resolving the 32-year-old ticket proved far from straightforward. Tubman’s journey included multiple hurdles:

1. Initial Contact with Arizona Officials:
   Tubman contacted the court in Benson, Arizona, and was directed to email the justice of the peace for leniency. Despite reaching out on August 30, he received no response.
2. Involvement of Local and State Representatives:
   Tubman sought help from his congressman and Governor Phil Murphy’s office. While a New Jersey MVC supervisor provided assistance, the resolution ultimately depended on Arizona’s motor vehicle agency.
3. Payment and Delays:
   Tubman learned he owed $101.15 and promptly sent a check. Despite the check being cashed, he received no confirmation. After further inquiries, he was told an additional $10 processing fee was required.
   • Multiple attempts to pay the fee online failed, but a representative eventually helped him complete the transaction over the phone.
4. Database Updates vs. Clearance Letters:
   Arizona officials explained that updates were made to the national PDPS database rather than through individual letters, adding to Tubman’s confusion.

Final Resolution

As the 30-day deadline approached, Tubman contacted his MVC liaison to confirm if the database had been updated. With time running out, Tubman enlisted the help of consumer advocate group Bamboozled. After a thorough review, the MVC confirmed that Tubman was cleared, and his license renewal could proceed.

Lessons Learned

Tubman’s ordeal highlights the challenges drivers can face when old violations resurface in today’s digital age:

1. No Expiry on Traffic Violations:
   The PDPS allows states to track unresolved violations indefinitely, meaning even decades-old tickets can impact driving privileges.
2. Importance of Resolution:
   Tubman’s experience underscores the necessity of resolving violations promptly, no matter how minor they may seem at the time.
3. Challenges of Interstate Records:
   Drivers with potential violations in other states should proactively check for outstanding issues. The MVC provides a list of state agencies to assist drivers in resolving such matters.

MVC’s Role and Policy

The New Jersey MVC’s strict adherence to PDPS policies ensures that drivers with unresolved sanctions in other states cannot obtain or renew licenses in New Jersey. According to MVC spokesman William Connolly, it is the driver’s responsibility to address issues with the originating state before New Jersey can process their license.

Tubman’s Reflection

Reflecting on his frustrating experience, Tubman expressed disbelief that such an old ticket could still hold weight. “If I had robbed the Tombstone Bank on that same day in 1991, I’d be a free man by 1999,” he remarked, highlighting the perceived unfairness of indefinitely holding drivers accountable for minor violations.

Takeaway for Drivers

Tubman’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the long reach of digital record-keeping. Drivers with suspicions of unresolved violations in other states are encouraged to contact the relevant agencies to avoid similar challenges. As Tubman’s story illustrates, unresolved tickets can cause unexpected and inconvenient consequences—even decades later.

For drivers in New Jersey, the MVC recommends using resources like the Problem Driver Pointer System and other state-provided tools to verify and resolve outstanding issues proactively.