A 6-point violation suspends your New Jersey license for at least three months
In New Jersey, a 6-point violation is one of the most serious traffic offenses short of a criminal charge. When you accumulate 6 points on your driving record — whether from a single violation or multiple violations — the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will suspend your license for a minimum of three months. You cannot drive legally during that period, and you cannot request a license restoration until the suspension period ends.
The 6-point threshold is lower than many drivers expect. You do not need to reach 12 points to lose your license in New Jersey. The state uses a tiered system: 12 points triggers a four-month suspension, 15 points triggers a ten-month suspension, and 21 points triggers a two-year suspension. But 6 points alone is enough to stop you from driving.
The violations that carry 6 points are serious moving violations, usually involving reckless or dangerous driving. Understanding which violations carry 6 points, and what happens after suspension, helps you understand the real cost of these tickets.
Key Takeaways
- A single 6-point violation or any combination of violations totaling 6 points triggers an automatic three-month license suspension from the MVC.
- Common 6-point violations include reckless driving, eluding police, driving with a suspended license, and certain speeding offenses in school zones.
- The suspension begins on the date the MVC issues the notice, not on the date of the violation, so you have a window to request a hearing before suspension takes effect.
- You must pay all fines and surcharges, complete any required programs, and request a restoration hearing before your license can be reinstated after the suspension period ends.
- Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, affecting your insurance rates and future suspension thresholds during that time.
Which violations carry 6 points in New Jersey
The MVC assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. A 6-point violation is typically a reckless or dangerous driving offense. The most common 6-point violations are:
- Reckless driving — driving in a manner that shows conscious disregard for the safety of others
- Eluding or attempting to elude police — fleeing from a police officer or failing to stop for a marked patrol car
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license — operating a vehicle when your license is already suspended or revoked
- Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit in a school zone — excessive speed in a designated school zone
- Careless driving causing injury — careless driving that results in bodily injury to another person
Other violations may also carry 6 points depending on the specific circumstances and how the officer wrote the ticket. If you received a ticket, the ticket itself will show the point value. You can also check the MVC's point schedule online or call the MVC at 609-292-6500 to confirm the points for a specific violation.
How the suspension process works
When you are convicted of a violation that carries 6 or more points, the court sends the conviction record to the MVC. The MVC then calculates your total points and issues a suspension notice by mail. The notice includes the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and instructions for requesting a hearing before the suspension takes effect.
The key timing detail: the suspension does not begin on the date of your violation or even the date of your conviction. It begins on the date the MVC mails the suspension notice. This means you typically have 10 to 14 days after conviction to request a hearing and argue against the suspension before it becomes active.
If you do not request a hearing, or if you request one and lose, the suspension becomes effective on the date stated in the notice. Once the suspension is active, you cannot legally drive. Driving during a suspension is itself a violation and can result in additional charges, fines, and a longer suspension period.
What happens during the three-month suspension
A three-month suspension means you cannot hold a valid New Jersey driver's license for that entire period. You cannot renew your license, transfer it to another state, or obtain a commercial license. If you are caught driving during the suspension, you face charges for driving with a suspended license, which carries its own points and fines.
During the suspension, you must also pay any fines and surcharges ordered by the court. These are separate from the suspension itself. You may also be required to complete a remedial driving program or other court-ordered requirements. None of these can be waived or shortened, and all must be completed before you can request license restoration.
The suspension period is fixed. You cannot request early restoration or a hardship license in most cases. New Jersey does not offer a "work license" or "hardship license" for suspensions resulting from point accumulation. Your only option is to wait out the full suspension period.
Requesting license restoration after suspension ends
After the three-month suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must request restoration from the MVC. To do this, you typically need to:
- Confirm that all fines and surcharges have been paid
- Confirm that any required programs or courses have been completed
- Submit a restoration request to the MVC, either in person at an MVC office or by mail
- Pay a restoration fee (currently $100 for a suspension due to point accumulation)
- Attend a restoration hearing if the MVC requires one
At a restoration hearing, an MVC examiner will review your record and may ask about the violation, your driving habits, and your understanding of safe driving. The hearing is not a trial — the examiner is not deciding guilt or innocence. Instead, they are determining whether you understand the seriousness of the violation and whether you are ready to drive safely again.
If the examiner approves restoration, you will be issued a new license. If denied, you will receive a written explanation and information about how to appeal. Denials are uncommon for first-time suspensions if you have completed all requirements, but they can happen if your record shows a pattern of violations.
How points affect your insurance and future suspensions
A 6-point violation stays on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. During those three years, the points count toward future suspension thresholds. If you receive another violation during that period, the points add up. For example, if you get a 3-point violation within three years of a 6-point violation, you now have 9 points and are approaching the 12-point threshold for a four-month suspension.
Your insurance company can also see the 6-point violation on your record. Most insurers will raise your rates significantly after a 6-point conviction. Some may drop you entirely. When your policy renews, expect your premium to increase by 50 percent or more, depending on your insurer and your driving history. This increase typically lasts for three years, the same period the points remain on your record.
After three years from the conviction date, the points drop off your record and no longer count toward suspension thresholds. However, the conviction itself may remain visible to insurers and employers for longer, depending on their policies.
Options if you received a 6-point ticket
If you have been cited for a violation you believe carries 6 points, you have several options before conviction:
- Request a court hearing — you have the right to contest the ticket in traffic court. An attorney can represent you and may be able to negotiate a reduction to a lower-point violation or argue for dismissal.
- Negotiate a plea agreement — your attorney may be able to work with the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a violation with fewer points, even if you do not win at trial.
- Attend a defensive driving course — some violations can be dismissed if you complete an approved course, though this option is limited and depends on the specific violation and your record.
The cost of hiring an attorney is often far less than the cost of a 6-point conviction in suspension time, insurance increases, and lost income from not being able to drive. If you have been cited for a serious violation, consulting with a traffic attorney before your court date is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work or school during my suspension?
No. New Jersey does not issue hardship or work licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, even if you have a job or school obligations that require transportation. You must arrange alternative transportation or take time off work.
What if I get another violation while my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that carries 6 points itself. You will face additional charges, fines, and a longer suspension period. The new suspension will begin after your current suspension ends, extending your total time without a license.
Do I have to go to a restoration hearing?
The MVC may require a hearing, or you may be able to request restoration by mail. It depends on the reason for your suspension and your driving record. If a hearing is required, you will be notified in writing. If you are unsure, contact your local MVC office or call 609-292-6500.
Will the 6-point violation ever come off my record?
The points drop off after three years from the conviction date and no longer count toward suspension thresholds. However, the conviction itself may remain visible to insurers and employers for longer. Check your driving record through the MVC to see what is currently showing.
Can I transfer my license to another state to avoid the suspension?
No. The suspension is issued by New Jersey and applies to your driving privileges in New Jersey. Other states will see the suspension on your record through the National Driver Register, and most will honor the suspension or impose their own penalties.