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- New Jersey assigns points for moving violations, with more serious offenses carrying more points.
- Six points within three years trigger NJ surcharges, even if your license isn’t suspended.
- Twelve or more points can lead to license suspension.
- Drivers can reduce points through safe driving and approved defensive driving courses.
- Traffic violations that add MVC points often increase car insurance premiums.
How the New Jersey driving point system works
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) tracks traffic violations using a point system. When you’re convicted of a moving violation, points are added to your driving record.
The system is designed to:
- Identify repeat offenders
- Encourage safe driving behavior
- Trigger administrative penalties
- Reduce crash risk statewide
Points are separate from traffic fines — both can apply after a conviction.
How many points cause suspension in NJ?
6 points: Surcharge trigger
If you accumulate 6 or more points within three years, New Jersey imposes an annual surcharge. You must pay:
- A base surcharge amount
- An additional amount for each point above six
Failure to pay surcharges can result in license suspension.
12 points: Possible suspension
If your total active points reach 12 or more, the MVC may suspend your driving privileges.
Common NJ traffic violations and point values
Below are examples of violations and typical New Jersey point assessments:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1–14 mph over) | 2 |
| Speeding (15–29 mph over) | 4 |
| Speeding (30+ mph over) | 5 |
| Careless driving | 2 |
| Reckless driving | 5 |
| Improper passing | 4 |
| Leaving scene (no injury) | 2 |
How long do points stay on your NJ driving record?
Points remain on your driving history indefinitely for tracking purposes.
However:
- The MVC reduces your active point total if you go one year without a violation or suspension.
- Defensive driving course completion can reduce points (subject to eligibility limits).
Even if points are reduced, the underlying violations remain on your record.
How to reduce points in New Jersey
1. Safe driving
You may receive a point reduction for each year you drive without violations or suspensions.
2. Defensive driving course
Completing an MVC-approved defensive driving program can reduce your point total (typically up to 2 points, once within a specified time period).
3. Driver improvement programs
Court-approved programs may offer additional point reductions depending on circumstances.
Point reduction lowers your active total but does not erase convictions.
New Jersey points vs. insurance impact
It’s important to distinguish between:
- MVC points, which affect license status and surcharges
- Insurance rating factors, which affect premiums
Insurance companies evaluate:
- Type of violation
- Severity
- Frequency
- Time since offense
Even if your MVC points are reduced, insurers may still rate the violation for several years.
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New Jersey’s surcharges explained
New Jersey imposes additional penalties beyond traffic fines.
If you reach 6 points within three years:
- You owe an annual surcharge for three years
- Each additional point above six increases the surcharge
Separate surcharges may apply for certain serious violations (such as DUI).
Frequently Asked Questions: License points in NJ
How many points suspend your license in New Jersey?
Accumulating 12 or more active points may result in license suspension.
Can I remove points from my NJ record?
You can reduce active points through safe driving or approved defensive driving courses, but violations remain on your record.
Do NJ points automatically drop off?
Active points may be reduced over time for safe driving, but the violations themselves remain part of your driving history.
Will NJ driving points increase my insurance rates?
Most moving violations that carry points can increase your insurance premium at renewal.
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