
Yes, you can absolutely buy a car on a Sunday in New Jersey. The state's former "blue law" that prohibited the sale of new cars on Sundays was officially repealed in March 2022. This means car dealerships are now legally permitted to be open and complete transactions seven days a week. However, the final decision rests with each individual dealership, as they set their own hours of operation.
While the law has changed, it doesn't mean every dealership will choose to be open on Sunday. Some may stick to a traditional Monday-through-Saturday schedule or have reduced Sunday hours. It's always best to check the specific dealership's website or call ahead before you make the trip. This saves you time and ensures they have the sales staff available to assist you.
The repeal of this law is a significant shift for both consumers and dealers in New Jersey. For buyers, it provides more flexibility to shop on a day that might be more convenient, especially if you work a standard Monday-to-Friday job. For dealerships, it's an opportunity to capture more sales but also comes with the added operational costs of being open an extra day.
Here’s a quick look at the status of Sunday car sales in some neighboring states for context:
| State | Sunday Car Sales Legality | Common Practice / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Legal (since 2022) | Varies by dealership; always call ahead. |
| New York | Legal | Widely available; most major dealers are open. |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Common, especially in larger metropolitan areas. |
| Delaware | Legal | Generally available, but some smaller dealers may be closed. |
| Connecticut | Restricted | New car sales are prohibited; used car sales are permitted. |
If you're planning a Sunday visit, your experience should be similar to any other day. You can test drive vehicles, negotiate a price, and work with the finance and insurance (F&I) manager to finalize paperwork. Just remember that even if the showroom is open, some backend services like third-party banks might have slower processing times on weekends.

Finally! They changed the law a couple of years back. I bought my SUV on a Sunday afternoon because it was the only day I had free. I just checked the dealer's hours online first—some still aren't open. The whole process was the same as any other day: test drive, haggle, sign the papers. Super convenient. Just don't assume; always double-check before you go.

From a dealership perspective, the 2022 law change gave us the option to open on Sundays. Many of us do, as it's a high-traffic day for families. However, it's a business decision. Some smaller lots may stay closed to manage costs. The key takeaway is that the barrier is gone, but operational hours are not uniform. A quick phone call is the most reliable way to confirm.

The repeal of New Jersey's blue law for auto was a major legislative shift. Prior to 2022, the statute was one of the last of its kind in the U.S., designed to enforce a day of rest. The change reflects evolving consumer habits and the economic pressure on dealerships to compete. Legally, the path is clear, but the tradition of being closed on Sundays persists in some areas, creating a patchwork of availability across the state.

My neighbor was looking at cars just last month and ran into this. He found a great deal online on a Saturday night and wanted to go first thing Sunday. We learned that while it's now, not all places are open. He had to call three different dealerships before he found one that was actually operating. He got the car, but it taught us a valuable lesson: the law says they can be open, but it doesn't mean they will be. Always verify.


