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NJSA Point Schedule

New Jersey Traffic Violation Points

Frustrated that you received a New Jersey traffic violation? Worried about points on your New Jersey driver’s license? Looking to fight/beat your traffic ticket? We have helped many satisfied clients throughout New Jersey protect their driver’s licenses. Contact our New Jersey traffic ticket lawyers at Sutnick & Sutnick Attorneys at Law by calling 201-212-4532 or by completing our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.

How The New Jersey License Point System Works

Every time a New Jersey driver pleads guilty or is found guilty of a moving violation, they are assessed points by the Motor Vehicle Commission. These points can result in increased insurance charges, New Jersey state surcharges and ultimately a suspension of driving privileges.

What Are New Jersey DMV Points?

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) uses a point system to keep track of unsafe driving. When you get a ticket for speeding, reckless driving or not yielding, the MVC adds points to your driving record. Each violation has a specific number of points based on its seriousness. These points stay on your record for at least two years. They can also affect your insurance rates or lead to extra fees for longer than that.

The goal of the point system is to encourage safe driving. If you get too many points, you might face higher insurance costs, extra fees or even lose your license. For example, the MVC will suspend your license if you collect 12 or more points. Some violations can also lead to immediate fees.

Understanding how points work is important because even small tickets can add up. This could impact your ability to drive and cost you money. Our experienced traffic attorneys can help you deal with the system. They can fight tickets, explore ways to reduce points and protect your driving record.

NJSA Points Schedule

In order to maintain safe driving on New Jersey roads, the Motor Vehicle Commission assigns points based on various traffic violations. Generally, any moving violation carries anywhere between two and eight points. In certain cases, nonmoving tickets can also carry points, such as using a handheld device for the 3rd time. The most serious traffic offenses carry anywhere between five and eight points. These include reckless driving (5 points), tailgating (5 points), exceeding the speed limit by over 30 mph (5 points), passing a school bus (5 points), racing on the highway (5 points) and leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury (8 points). Some of the more common tickets carrying fewer points include improper passing (4 points), careless driving (2 points), disregarding a traffic control device (2 points), failure to yield to a pedestrian (2 points) and failure to maintain lane (2 points).

When a driver accumulates 12 or more points, their license in the state of New Jersey will be suspended. In most cases, a New Jersey traffic attorney can reduce or eliminate the motor vehicle points from the original tickets.

NJSA
Section
Offense Points
New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway
27:23-29 Moving against traffic 2
27:23-29 Improper passing 4
27:23-29 Unlawful use of median strip 2
All Roads and Highways
39:3-20 Operating constructor vehicle in excess of 45 mph 3
39:4-14.3 Operating motorized bicycle on a restricted highway 2
39:4-14.3d More than one person on a motorized bicycle 2
39:4-35 Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk 2
39:4-36 Failure to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk; passing a vehicle yielding to pedestrian in crosswalk 2
39:4- 41 Driving through safety zone 2
39:4-52 Racing on highway 5
39:4-55 Improper action or omission on grades and curves 2
39:4-57 Failure to observe direction of officer 2
39:4-66 Failure to stop vehicle before crossing sidewalk 2
39:4-66.1 Failure to yield to pedestrians or vehicles while entering or leaving highway 2
39:4-66.2 Driving on public or private property to avoid a traffic sign or signal 2
39:4-71 Operating a motor vehicle on a sidewalk 2
39:4-80 Failure to obey direction of officer 2
39:4-81 Failure to observe traffic signals* (Red Light Camera- 0 pts.) 2
  *No points assessed for red light camera violation 0
39:4-82 Failure to keep right 2
39:4-82.1 Improper operating of vehicle on divided highway or divider 2
39:4-83 Failure to keep right at intersection 2
39:4-84 Failure to pass to right of vehicle proceeding in opposite direction 5
39:4-85 Improper passing on right or off roadway 4
39:4-85.1 Wrong way on a one-way street 2
39:4-86 Improper passing in no passing zone 4
39:4-87 Failure to yield to overtaking vehicle 2
39:4-88 Failure to observe traffic lanes 2
39:4-89 Tailgating 5
39:4-90 Failure to yield at intersection 2
39:4-90.1 Failure to use proper entrances to limited access highways 2
39:4-91-92 Failure to yield to emergency vehicles 2
39:4-96 Reckless driving 5
39:4-97 Careless driving 2
39:4-97a Destruction of agricultural or recreational property 2
39:4-97.1 Slow speed blocking traffic 2
39:4-97.2 Driving in an unsafe manner (points only for third or subsequent offense within five years of most recent 39:4-97.2 conviction) 4
39:4-98 Exceeding maximum speed 1-14 mph over limit 2
  Exceeding maximum speed 15-29 mph over limit 4
  Exceeding maximum speed 30 mph or more over limit 5
39:4-105 Failure to stop for traffic light 2
39:4-115 Improper turn at traffic light 3
39:4-119 Failure to stop at flashing red signal 2
39:4-122 Failure to stop for police whistle 2
39:4-123 Improper right or left turn 3
39:4-124 Improper turn from approved turning course 3
39:4-125 Improper U-turn 3
39:4-126 Failure to give proper signal 2
39:4-127 Improper backing or turning in street 2
39:4-127.1 Improper crossing of railroad grade crossing 2
39:4-127.2 Improper crossing of bridge 2
39:4-128 Improper crossing of railroad grade crossing by certain vehicles 2
39:4-128.1 Improper passing of school bus 5
39:4-128.4 Improper passing of frozen dessert truck 4
39:4-129 Leaving the scene of an accident — no personal injury 2
  Personal injury 8
39:4-144 Failure to observe stop or yield signs 2
39:5C-1 Racing on highway 5
39:5D-4 Moving violation committed out of state 2

New Jersey Points On License

Navigating the complexities of the New Jersey points system can be daunting, but understanding how points affect your driver’s license is crucial for every New Jersey driver. As a top-rated criminal defense law firm in New Jersey, our certified trial lawyers defend clients against traffic violations that result in points on their license. Accumulating points can lead to increased insurance rates and even license suspension, making it essential to address these issues promptly. Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of the New Jersey points system and are dedicated to helping you reduce or eliminate points through strategic legal defense and guidance. Whether you’ve been cited for speeding or other traffic violations, we are here to protect your driving privileges and offer solutions tailored to your specific situation.

When facing points on your New Jersey license, proactive legal defense can make a significant difference in the outcome. Our New Jersey-based traffic violation attorneys are committed to providing comprehensive support to minimize the impact of points on your driving record. We work closely with clients to explore options such as contesting the citation, attending a defensive driving course for point reduction or negotiating for lesser penalties. Understanding the long-term consequences of points is vital, and our law firm is dedicated to safeguarding your driving rights while reducing potential financial burdens. With our knowledge and personalized approach, we aim to help you navigate the New Jersey points system with confidence, ensuring that you maintain a clean driving record and peace of mind.

New Jersey Defensive Driving Course For Point Reduction

New Jersey offers a defensive driving course to help drivers remove points from their license. It can also lower your insurance costs. The New Jersey MVC approves these courses, which you can take online or in person. They usually take six hours to complete.

When you finish the course, you can remove up to two points from your record. However, you can only do this if you haven’t taken the course for point reduction in the last five years. Plus, many insurance companies offer a discount, sometimes up to 10%, if you complete the course.

The course teaches safe driving tips, traffic laws and ways to avoid accidents. It’s not just helpful for reducing points; it also helps you become a better driver. After finishing, you need to send your completion certificate to the MVC to get the point reduction.

Our attorneys can help you choose an approved course and ensure all your paperwork is correct. A defensive driving course is a smart way to reduce points and keep your driving privileges safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic/Motor Vehicle Points In New Jersey

How do traffic violations affect my driving record?

When a driver accumulates New Jersey motor vehicle points, it can have a substantial effect on the cost of their personal automobile insurance, as well as significant New Jersey state surcharges.

How long do traffic points stay on my driving record?

If a driver goes one year without any offenses, three points are removed from their driving record.

Can I have traffic violation points removed from my record?

There are several ways to have New Jersey traffic violation points removed from your driving record. Every year that a driver does not receive any motor vehicle violations, three points are removed from their driving record. In addition, a driver has the ability to take an online two-point reduction class every five years. Finally, a driver who has accumulated an excessive number of points may be offered a three-point reduction class by the Motor Vehicle Commission.

How many points lead to a driver’s license suspension in New Jersey?

When a driver accumulates nine points, the Motor Vehicle Commission has the discretion to suspend a person’s driving privileges. If a driver accumulates 12 points or more, a suspension is mandatory. However, in many circumstances, we can request a suspension hearing in the hopes of eliminating a driver’s suspension.

Can I check how many points are on my driving record?

A driver can request a certified driving record, or abstract, through the Motor Vehicle Commission website, www.nj.gov/mvc.

Why do New Jersey motor vehicle points matter?

When a New Jersey driver is issued a summons that carries motor vehicle points, it can have a substantial effect on their insurance rates, motor vehicle surcharges and driving privileges. As with any legal matter, it is important to be represented by an attorney who specializes in vehicle and traffic law and who can best protect your interests.

Can I pay a higher fine and get no points on my license?

In many cases, we can reduce or eliminate the motor vehicle points associated with New Jersey traffic offenses and lower the fines to be paid.

Will traffic ticket points affect my New Jersey auto insurance rates?

Yes. Automobile insurance companies take many different factors into account when setting insurance premiums. Most importantly, insurance companies are evaluating the safe driving history of a motorist. This includes prior accidents and the number of moving violations. Without a doubt, minimizing the amount of motor vehicle points imposed on a driver will help to keep insurance rates lower.

Will traffic violation points transfer to my home state?

Yes. Almost all states are members of the Interstate Compact Act and therefore share information regarding traffic tickets. While every state may treat tickets differently, even out-of-state drivers should be aware of the consequences of receiving a motor vehicle violation in the state of New Jersey.

How many points can I have on my New Jersey driver’s license before I must pay surcharges?

If a New Jersey driver receives six or more points in a three-year period, the Motor Vehicle Commission will impose annual surcharges.

What types of tickets carry DMV surcharges?

Unlicensed driver (39:3-10a), driving while suspended (39:3-40), no liability insurance (39:6B-2), DWI/DUI (39:4-50), refusal to submit to a chemical breath test (39: 4-50.4a) are some of the tickets that have surcharges.

How many motor vehicle points can I have on my New Jersey license before I face a suspension of my driving privileges?

Once a New Jersey driver receives 12 or more motor vehicle points, they will receive a notice of suspension from the Motor Vehicle Commission.

How do traffic violation points affect a commercial driver’s license or CDL in New Jersey?

A commercial driver’s license has very specific requirements about moving violations. Even one ticket can have substantial consequences, like increased insurance costs and license suspension.

I paid a ticket online and didn’t realize I would receive traffic violation points from the Motor Vehicle Commission. Is there a way to reopen the case?

Yes, however, every situation is different. Each New Jersey court has different policies regarding opening a ticket that was paid online. It is very important to contact an attorney immediately if this situation occurs so that an appeal can be filed in a timely manner.

How can a lawyer help with my New Jersey driving record points?

There are many things that an attorney can do to assist a driver. Most importantly, when a driver receives tickets, they should contact an attorney immediately prior to going to court. Often, we can reduce or eliminate the number of points that a driver faces. Further, there are times, depending on the circumstances, when we can reopen an old case where a driver previously received motor vehicle points in court.