NORTH BERGEN AND BEYOND – On Oct. 25, Gov. Chris Christie once again visited heavily Democratic Hudson County during the election campaign, this time to woo Latino voters and announce a state directive during a stop at the Sabor Latin Bistro on River Road in the township.
Christie ordered that New Jersey will now honor the transfer of valid and current drivers’ licenses of newly relocated residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and commonwealths without retesting.
His edict took effect today (Friday), according to Motor Vehicle Commission Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez, who also attended the announcement.
“The common sense change expedites the process and brings uniformity to how the state handles these applicants and those who want to transfer licenses from the 50 states and the District of Columbia,” Christie said.
Under the modification, those submitting an application for a New Jersey drivers license who have a valid one from American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands will no longer have to take a written or a road test in order to qualify, but will still have to present the Six Points of identification that is required of everyone.
The partisan crowd at the restaurant was happy to see Christie.
“He’s really a popular governor,” said North Bergen commissioner Frank Gargiulo, a Republican. “The last time a governor spent so much time in Hudson County was Tom Kean.”
Christie also visited Secaucus twice, Hoboken, and Bayonne earlier in the campaign season.
–Joseph Passantino
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