An Introduction to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Points
If you are convicted of a moving violation in New Jersey, the Motor Vehicle Commission will add points to your driving record. Different violations have different point values, with more points for more serious violations. Failure to observe a stop or yield sign is a two-point violation, for example, while leaving the scene of an injury accident is an eight-point violation. Two points are added for traffic violations committed outside of the state.
Penalties: Surcharges or Suspended License
If you accumulate six or more points on your New Jersey driving record within three years, you will be subject to a surcharge of $150, plus $25 for each point beyond six. This is in addition to any fines for the underlying violations that gave you the points.
Having 12 or more points on your driving record at any time will result in your license being suspended. A judge may also suspend your license for any willful violation of NJSA 39:1-1 to NJSA 39:5G-2.
Point Deductions
Point violations stay on your driving record, but up to three points will be subtracted from your total for each year you go without a violation or suspension. You may also earn a two-point deduction by taking a MVC-approved defensive driving course, but such a course may be used to subtract points only once every five years. A driver improvement program may be used to subtract three points once every two years, and a probationary driver program will also earn a three-point deduction.
Higher Insurance Rates
New Jersey-licensed automobile insurance providers have a similar but separate system of “insurance eligibility points.” The insurance points for most moving violations are the same as the MVC points, but for some more serious violations, the insurance points are higher. Insurance points received within the last three years are used to determine the premium that a person must pay for liability coverage, and if you accumulate too many points, you may not be able to purchase insurance on the voluntary market, in which case you will need to obtain coverage through the New Jersey Personal Automobile Insurance Plan (NJAIP) at greater expense.
A New Jersey Traffic Attorney Can Help
I have years of experience helping New Jersey drivers defend their rights for all traffic violations, big and small. To learn about how I can help you, call (908) 248-4404 to schedule a free consultation.
Traffic Violations
For more information on a specific violation, please select one below:
- Careless Driving NJSA 39:4-97
- Driving in an Unsafe Manner (NJSA 39:4-97.2)
- Driving on public or private property to avoid a traffic sign or signal (NJSA 39:4-66.2)
- Driving on sidewalk (NJSA 39:4-71)
- Driving While Intoxicated (NJSA 39:4-50)
- Driving While License Suspended (NJSA 39:3-40)
- Failing to Observe a Police Officer’s Directions (NJSA 39:4-57)
- Failure to keep right (NJSA 39:4-82)
- Failure to keep right at intersection (N.J.S.A. 39:4-83)
- Failure to obey direction of officer (NJSA 39:4-80)
- Failure to observe traffic lanes (NJSA 39:4-88)
- Failure to observe traffic signals (NJSA 39:4-81)
- Failure to pass to right of vehicle proceeding in opposite direction (NJSA 39:4-84)
- Failure to use proper entrances to limited-access highways (NJSA 39:4-90.1)
- Failure to yield at intersection (NJSA 39:4-90)
- Failure to yield to emergency vehicles (NJSA 39:4-91 and 39:4-92)
- Failure to yield to overtaking vehicle (NJSA 39:4-87)
- Improper operating of vehicle on divided highway or divider (NJSA 39:4-82.1)
- Improper passing in no passing zone (NJSA 39:4-86)
- Improper passing on right or off roadway (NJSA 39:4-85)
- Racing on a Highway (NJSA 39:4-52)
- Reckless Driving (NJSA 39:4-96)
- Slow Speed Blocking Traffic (NJSA 39:4-97.1)
- Tailgating (NJSA 39:4-89)
- Wrong way on a one-way street (NJSA 39:4-85.1)
- Exceeding Maximum Speed (NJSA 39:4-98)
- Failure to Signal a Stop or Turn (NJSA 39:4-126)
- Failure to Stop at a Flashing Red Signal (NJSA 39:4-119)
- Failure to Stop for a Traffic Light (NJSA 39:4-105)
- Failure to Stop for Police Whistle (NJSA 39:4-122)
- Improper Backing or Turning in Street (NJSA 39:4-127)
- Improper Crossing of Bridge (NJSA 39:4-127.2)
- Improper Crossing of Railroad Grade Crossing by Certain Vehicles (NJSA 39:4-128)
- Improper Passing of a Frozen Dessert Truck (NJSA 39:4-128.4)
- Improper Passing of School Bus (NJSA 39:4-128.1)
- Improper Right or Left Turn (NJSA 39:4-123)
- Improper Turn at Traffic Light (NJSA 39:4-115)
- Improper Turn From Approved Turning Course (NJSA 39:4-124)
- Improper U-Turn (NJSA 39:4-125)
- Leaving the Scene of a Non-Injury Accident (NJSA 39:4-129(b))
- Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident (NJSA 39:4-129)
- Stopping at a Railroad Crossing (NJSA 39:4-127.1)
- Racing on a Public Highway (NJSA 39:5C-1)
