A 6-point violation will suspend your license in New Jersey
A 6-point violation is the most serious traffic offense short of a criminal charge in New Jersey. It carries an automatic license suspension: your license is suspended for at least three months, and you cannot drive legally during that time. The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will mail you a suspension notice after conviction, and driving while suspended is itself a criminal offense.
The six-point violations in New Jersey are reckless driving, eluding police, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Each one results in the same suspension period and the same requirement to pay a reinstatement fee before you can drive again. Understanding what happens after conviction — and what your options are — matters because the suspension is automatic and non-negotiable.
Key Takeaways
- A 6-point violation automatically suspends your license for at least three months; you cannot drive during this time.
- The three offenses that carry 6 points are reckless driving, eluding police, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
- You must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100) to the MVC before your license becomes valid again after the suspension ends.
- If you are convicted, you have the right to request a hearing before the MVC to contest the suspension, though the conviction itself stands.
- A second 6-point violation within ten years results in a one-year suspension instead of three months.
The three offenses that result in 6 points
Reckless driving is defined in New Jersey as operating a vehicle in a manner that shows conscious disregard for the safety of others. This is not speeding alone; it typically involves aggressive driving, weaving through traffic, or driving in a way that creates when ready danger. A police officer must write the charge as reckless driving at the time of the stop for it to carry 6 points.
Eluding police means failing to stop for a police officer who has activated lights and sirens. This is a criminal charge, not just a traffic violation. The charge stands whether you were speeding, had an expired registration, or were suspected of something else — the act of not stopping is what triggers the 6 points.
Driving with a suspended or revoked license carries 6 points if you are convicted. This applies whether your license was suspended for unpaid fines, a prior conviction, or a medical reason. The MVC maintains a list of suspended and revoked drivers, and police can check this list during any traffic stop.
What happens when ready after conviction
After you are convicted in traffic court, the court forwards the conviction to the Motor Vehicle Commission. The MVC then sends you a suspension notice by mail. This notice tells you the suspension start date, the length of the suspension (at least three months for a first 6-point violation), and the reinstatement fee you must pay.
The suspension begins on the date stated in the notice, not on the date you receive it. You should stop driving on that date. Driving after the suspension date is a criminal offense that can result in jail time, additional fines, and a longer license suspension. If you are stopped by police during a suspension, you will be charged with driving with a suspended license, which itself carries 6 points.
You do not need to surrender your physical license card to the MVC — the suspension is recorded in their system. However, if you are stopped by police, they can see the suspension on their computer and will cite you.
How long your license will be suspended
A first 6-point violation results in a suspension of at least three months. The exact length depends on the specific offense and your driving record, but three months is the minimum. The MVC will state the exact end date in your suspension notice.
If you receive a second 6-point violation within ten years of the first, the suspension is one year. A third 6-point violation within ten years results in a ten-year suspension. These longer suspensions are why a second serious violation is so costly — the time you cannot drive increases dramatically.
The suspension clock does not stop if you move out of state. If you are suspended in New Jersey and move to another state, the suspension remains in effect. If you return to New Jersey or are caught driving in New Jersey during the suspension, you will be charged with driving with a suspended license.
Reinstatement fees and how to get your license back
Before your license can be reinstated after the suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Motor Vehicle Commission. The current reinstatement fee is $100. You can pay this fee online through the MVC website, by mail, or in person at an MVC office.
You must pay the fee before your license becomes valid again. If the suspension ends on a Friday and you do not pay the fee until Monday, your license is not valid on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Driving during this gap is driving with a suspended license.
After you pay the reinstatement fee, the MVC will update your record and your license becomes valid when ready (if you pay online or in person) or within a few business days (if you pay by mail). You do not need to take a new test or visit an MVC office unless the MVC specifically requires it as part of your reinstatement.
Your right to a hearing before the MVC
After you receive a suspension notice, you have the right to request a hearing before the Motor Vehicle Commission to contest the suspension. This hearing is separate from your traffic court case — the court has already convicted you, and that conviction stands. The MVC hearing is only about whether the suspension itself should be imposed or modified.
You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice. Send your request to the address listed on the notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence or testimony about why the suspension should not be imposed or should be shortened, though the bar for success is very high. The MVC rarely overturns a suspension based on hardship alone.
If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, you lose the right to one and the suspension takes effect as stated in the notice. If you request a hearing, the suspension is delayed until after the hearing is held.
How a 6-point violation affects your insurance and future driving record
A 6-point conviction will increase your car insurance rates significantly. Most insurance companies consider a 6-point violation a serious offense and will raise your premium or drop you entirely. Some insurers require you to file an SR-22 form (proof of financial responsibility) before they will insure you again after a serious violation.
The conviction remains on your driving record for ten years in New Jersey. This means that if you receive another serious violation within that ten-year window, the penalties are harsher. A second 6-point violation within ten years results in a one-year suspension instead of three months. After ten years, the conviction is no longer counted toward future suspensions, though it may still appear on your record.
If you are convicted of a second 6-point violation, you may also be required to complete a defensive driving course or substance abuse program before your license can be reinstated, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work or to court during my suspension?
No. A license suspension in New Jersey is absolute — you cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, even to work, to medical appointments, or to court. Some states allow "hardship licenses" for work or medical reasons, but New Jersey does not. Driving during a suspension is a criminal offense.
What if I was convicted but the court made a mistake?
If you believe the court made an error in your conviction, you can appeal the conviction to the Superior Court. This is separate from the MVC hearing. An appeal must be filed within 45 days of conviction and requires an attorney in most cases. The suspension remains in effect while your appeal is pending unless the court orders otherwise.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I move out of state?
If you move out of state and do not plan to drive in New Jersey again, you do not have to pay the reinstatement fee. However, if you ever want to drive in New Jersey again or if you return to New Jersey, you must pay the fee and wait for the suspension period to end. The suspension follows you across state lines.
What happens if I am caught driving during my suspension?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in New Jersey. You will be charged, and if convicted, you face jail time (up to 10 days for a first offense), additional fines, and another 6-point violation added to your record. A second offense carries up to 30 days in jail. This is why it is critical to not drive during a suspension.
Can I get the conviction removed from my record after the suspension ends?
New Jersey does not allow expungement of traffic convictions. A 6-point conviction will remain on your record permanently, though it stops counting toward future suspensions after ten years. You cannot have it sealed or removed, but you can discuss your record with an attorney if you believe there are grounds for appeal.