[V]

When i was in ny that was a big thing. any lapse of insurance would result in a fine from the state and possible suspension of license. In my experience, nj isn't that bad. As far as i know, the nj dmv would not be aware if you dropped insurance. They don't do regular checks with insurance companies. now if the insurance reports to the dmv, then that's a different story. Best but is when you pull the insurance, turn in the plates.
If you have vanity plates, i don't know what to tell ya. I have a pair, sold the car but i may want then for a future car so i kept them. i asked the dmv what to do to prevent back reg fees and they didn't know. told me to call trenton.

I know if you let the registration expire, and say a few years later you want to renew those same plates, they try to charge you for each past year it sat. in that case you just surrender the old ones and get new ones and then you dont have to pay back registration.