New Jersey’s Traffic Violation Point System

In addition to fines and fees, a New Jersey traffic ticket will often result in the assessment of demerit points. This article explains New Jersey's traffic violation point system and the consequences of racking up too many points on your driving record.

How Does New Jersey's Traffic Violation Point System Work?

All moving violation convictions are reported to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The MVC then assesses points to the person's driving record. The number of points roughly corresponds to the seriousness of the violation (see chart below).

New Jersey drivers who accumulate too many points can expect two consequences: license suspension and license surcharges.

However, points eventually expire, and drivers have options for removing points from their records and avoiding point-related consequences (explained below).

License Suspension and Surcharges for Traffic Ticket Points in New Jersey Accumulating Points

The consequences you'll face for point accumulation depend on how many points the driver has received over the past three years.

Warning Letters for Traffic Ticket Points in New Jersey

A driver who accumulates six points will receive a notice indicating the driver's current point total and the penalties associated with additional points. A driver with a probationary license will receive a warning after any points are assessed.

License Suspension for Getting Too Many Points on Your New Jersey Driving Record

The MVC is authorized to suspend the license of any driver who acquires at least 12 points. The length of the suspension depends on the number of points within a certain period of time.

Points acquired over a two-year period will result in the following suspensions:

Points	Suspension duration
12 to 15	30 days
16 to 18	60 days
19 to 21	90 days
22 to 24	120 days
25 to 27	150 days
28 or more	At least 180 days

Points acquired over a period of more than two years will result in the following suspensions:

Points	Suspension duration
12 to 18	30 days
19 to 22	60 days
23 to 26	90 days
27 to 30	120 days
31 to 35	150 days
36 or more	At least 180 days

New Jersey Laws Allows the MVC to Waive a Modify a Point Suspension

The MVC is permitted to modify the suspension for "good cause." In other words, based on the driver's history and any other relevant factors, the MVC can require completion of a driver improvement program in lieu of part of or the entire suspension period.

Point Suspension for New Jersey Graduated License Holders

Any points assessed against a driver operating with a learner's permit will result in a 90-day suspension and delay in license advancement. The holder must also take a four-hour driver improvement course. A probationary license holder who is assessed at least two points will be required to complete the four-hour driver improvement course or face license suspension.

New Jersey Surcharges for Traffic Violation Points

In addition to license penalties, the MVC will order an annual surcharge against any driver with at least six points in 36 months. The driver will be charged $150, then an additional $25 for each point above six.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your New Jersey Driving Record?

All license points expire after three years from the date of the violation. Three points will also be removed for every 12-months the driver is violation-free.

Getting Points Off Your New Jersey Driving Record by Completing a License Improvement or Defensive Driving Course

A driver can voluntarily complete a license improvement course to remove three demerit points. However, this option is available only once every two years.

A driver can also voluntarily complete a defensive driving course once every five years. Completion of the course will remove two demerit points.

Points Values for Traffic Violations in New Jersey

Here are the point values for some of the more common traffic violations.

Violation	Points Assessed
Driving wrong way	2
Improper passing	4
Failure to yield to pedestrian	2
Diving through safety zone	2
Racing	5
Failure to yield on on-ramp	2
Driving on sidewalk	2
Failure to obey traffic signals	2
Improper passing on right	4
Passing in no-pass zone	4
Tailgating	5
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles	2
Reckless driving	5
Careless driving	2
Impeding traffic	2
Third-offense driving in unsafe manner	4
Third-offense use of cellphone while driving	3
Speeding 1 to 14 miles per hour over limit	2
Speeding 15 to 29 miles per hour over limit	4
Speeding 30 or more miles per hour over limit	5
Improper turn at traffic light	3
Failure to signal	2
Improper passing of school bus	5
Improper passing of ice cream truck	4
Leaving the scene of accident	2
Leaving the scene of injury accident	8
Out-of-state moving violation	2
Other moving violations	2